Chapter Eight: Natsuki

Apparently, Gale was planning on going to the Third Floor west corridor and planning on bringing Blue along too. Brie cleared his throat.“I think we shouldn’t do it, it’s immature and we’d need a solid plan.”

“It’s practical. It’s a trial run for me being le Leader.” Gale flexed and held up his fist.

Natsuki batted down his fist, annoyed that he hadn’t noticed her authority or thought it was that fragile. “Listen here, buddy. I am the leader here. You don’t waltz in here and take charge. This can be your trial run for you being my second in command.”

She turned to the group, “we are all going to find out the mysteries of the west corridor. Operation investigate Hogwarts.”

“You know that this is against the rules, right?” Brie asked.

Natsuki sighed. “Of course I do. However, we should have all the information about Hogwarts, right?”

Gale snorted. “Pretentious much?”

Natsuki glared at Gale. “Don’t you dare insult a group member. You haven’t been here long enough.”

Brie smiled. “Yeah, you idiot.” 

Gale scoffed and was about to say something before nodding. “Let’s get Emilia.”

Natsuki looked at everyone. “I’m going to investigate with Gale. Brie, you don’t have to join us.”

“I’ll join to keep you all out of trouble.”

Natsuki smiled. He just wanted to know what was going on. Brie got hooked onto mysteries. She looked over to Blue.

“I’m coming.” He said, trying to sound important.

Natsuki smiled. “Let’s go!” She turned to Gale. “You stay in back and make sure that nobody approaches us.”

“Yes, temporary singular leader.” Panic spiked in her. 

“Trial run for second in command, human. I have the power.” She laughed. “Mortal.”

Gale grinned. “Oh, mortals.” He shook his head.

Situation diffused, Natsuki turned to Brie, “so, how’s the Hogwarts experience?”

“Enchanting.” He smiled before turning deadpan. “Except for the danger we’re putting ourselves in.” Brie reasoned. “I’m only coming to protect you guys.”

Natsuki nodded to Brie, he could argue for hours on end, so sometimes it was good to just let him have stuff. “Yeah, it ever seems like we’re about to get caught or in any danger we have to get everyone out of here.”

“Of course, wait...” The rest of the sentence became apparent to Natsuki as she fell silent to hear thudding footsteps. She tried to signal to the others the sounds. This was a bad idea, I should have put my foot down. Brie and Natsuki dove behind a suit of armor as a figure walked into them.

“Hi Gale, hi Blue. You want some of the apple cider bundt cake I made?” Emilia’s floral dress and chunky heeled boots came into sight.

“But of course!” Gale said, grabbing a fork out of his pocket and taking a bite straight from the cake. He then scooped up a bite and handed the fork to Blue. Blue hesitated before taking the fork and eating it.

“It’s good.”

“Well of course it is! It’s a house recipe!” Emilia puffed out her chest. Natsuki got out from behind the suit of armor and Brie followed. Emilia smiled at them and waved. “Hi Natsuki! Hi Brie!”

Gale turned to Emilia. “So, Emi, we’re going to do this super awesome quest to see what’s going on in the third floor west wing.”

“Operation investigate sketchy school?” Emilia asked. Whenever they planned on doing anything they added operation before it. Natsuki had stolen that from Reyna. Reyna… I’m not letting anyone else die. Mia had latched onto it though, so it stuck.

“Yup, that’s the operation.” Natsuki put her arm around Emilia. “Can I have some of that delicious looking cake?”

Emilia swatted the cake away from Gale, who had continued eating it. “Here you go Natsuki! You and Brie can have the rest.”

They walked along the halls eating cake when they arrived at the corridor. Natsuki tried to open the door but it wouldn’t budge. Gale brandished his wand. “I got this.”

He did a backflip and an embellishment before flicking his wand, “alohomora.”

The lock clicked open. Emilia gasped in amazement. Natsuki tried not to glare. It wasn’t his fault that he knew how to lead them forward and she didn’t. 

Brie looked at him sceptically. “Did you really need to do a backflip?”

“Of course. It’s part of the spell.” 

Brie sighed. “I’m going to fact check that later.”

Natsuki opened the door. Roaring filled her ears. She peered in. There was a three headed Rottweiler, the size of a whale. Its claws were long and had flesh stuck in them. It was chained to the room. Underneath it there was a trapdoor, or at least a loose floorboard.

“Why would the school need this?”

“I don’t know.” Who’s voice is that? Harry Potter was peering through the door with her. She recoiled. “What are you doing here?”

Harry gazed philosophically off into the distance, “the real question is what are we all doing here? On this earth. In this mindspace?”

Emilia nodded along. “He’s right. What is our purpose?”

Gale glared at Harry. “Well, Potter, you just said the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.” He clapped slowly. “Let’s see if this is right, I’m Harry Potter and I’m here to show how valiant and brave I am. Honor to me!”

Blue laughed. 

“No.” Harry scowled and turned to Natsuki, “why do you associate with a Slytherin?”

Emilia glared at Harry. “Apparently we don’t like you, so I have to say, why do you have glasses? And black hair and green eyes? You have way too many defining traits? Also, who has black hair and green eyes? And your hair is a mess.”

“Yes! You burn him Mia!” Gale said, pumping his fists. Natsuki smiled. She rarely saw Emilia take a stance in front of strangers to strangers. This was good for her. 

There were footsteps again, and the group looked at each other before Natsuki said, “follow me!” She didn’t know where the footsteps were coming from. Curse my bad hearing. Well, they had a fifty-fifty chance.

The group followed her as they ran straight into Dumbledore. Dumbledore looked down at all of them. “What are you doing here?” Shit. Reyna wouldn’t have led us here. Hell, Gale wouldn’t have led us here.

Emilia laughed nervously and twirled her hair. She’s overwhelmed. Too many things went unexpectedly. I shouldn’t have brought her here. “I think the real question is what we’re all doing here. Metaphorically speaking,” Mia said. Natsuki smiled. Emilia was plagiarizing Harry.

Dumbledore nodded and looked far off for a moment before turning back to Emilia. “That is a good question, but that is besides the point.” He shook his head. “I just wanted a nice peaceful walk, when I see that all of you snuck off at night, which is against the rules. Also, you went to the third floor west wing, which is also off limits. Shame on all of you. And 15 points from Slytherin.”

“What.” Gale said. “Why? There’s only one Slytherin here?”

“I actually have to agree with Gale,” Brie stepped in, “wouldn’t it be m-”

“Nonsense! In my not so humble opinion you should not question me! I am Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore!” Dumbledore stuck up his nose and walked away. 

“Spy on him?” Gale whispered.

“Yeah.” Natsuki nodded. I should have said something about how unfair he was to Slytherin. Why did I freeze? Natsuki crept forward.

Dumbledore waved at Harry. “Harry Potter, I see that you are a curious soul.”

“I’m sorry. Er, I just wanted to see what was there.”

“It’s fine, son.” Dumbledore put his hand on Harry Potter’s shoulder. “Would you like me to give you a specialized tour of this castle?”

“Erm, would you be okay with that?”

“The real question is would the castle be okay with that.” Dumbledore chuckled. 

“That is a question.” Harry agreed, nodding.

Gale groaned. “What a teacher's pet.”

“He’s the worst.” Blue groaned. “Why does Dumbledore like him so much?”

“He’s the chosen one.” Natsuki then marched up to Dumbledore. “Hey, why did you give us all shame, and points deducted when Harry is getting a specialized tour of the castle. I respect you as a headmaster, but I think that you made an error here.”

Dumbledore patted her on the head. “One day you too will understand, or perhaps you won’t. But I am correct.” He smiled at her. “Have a nice day.” He started walking off and mumbled, “I think I handled that well.”

Harry turned to her and narrowed his eyes. That’s it. Natsuki stuck up her middle finger and marched off. “C’mon guys, we got better things to do.” Dumbledore was a complete dick.

Gale nodded to her in approval. They all walked to the common room, except for Gale. “I gotta leave. Here’s le dungeon glorieux." He walked away, “yippee, off to sleep in a cage. Nice, dark and dank.”

Emilia waved, “have fun!”

Blue looked at Emilia, “um,” he decided not to say anything. 

Natsuki waved, “bye Gale, see ya around!”

“See y’all!” He cartwheeled into the Slytherin Commonroom.

Blue looked over in awe. 

Natsuki started walking again and smiled, “c’mon guys.” She felt like a badass.