Chapter 12: Snow Chang

Albus went to detention with Andrew and Naomi the following day. They were having detentions in separate rooms. Albus was going to the headmistress's office to help McGonagall arrange some files. Andrew was going to help Professor Slughorn, the potions master, brew some forgetfulness potions, and Naomi, given the worst job of all, was simply going to clean all the halls of Hogwarts she could possibly finish in public while students walked by her, while the Hogwarts cleaning-elves took a day off, at McGonagall's request.
The halls were swarming with students that day as Albus approached the stone gargoyle that led to McGonagall's office. Naomi headed down the halls and into the storage rooms to pick up the mops and water buckets. Andrew just went further down until he reached Slughorn's office.
The halls that day were decorated with pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns, for Halloween was the next day. They'd be having an extra-special Halloween feast, but unfortunately the caretaker said that they'd have to skip it due to another night's detention. Albus felt a growing rage for Malfoy, and an urge to just walk up to him and do the Rictusempra on him even in plain sight of a professor.
Albus stood in front of the stone gargoyle, ignoring it as it said, "PASSWORD PLEASE," loudly. Finally, Albus said the new password.
"Jiggly Jellybeans."
The gargoyle leaped aside and Albus climbed flights of stairs to reach the door to the circular office that belonged to McGonagall.
Albus entered the room. McGonagall was seated at her desk, writing rapidly on a sheet of parchment. She didn't look up but gestured for Albus to sit after waving her wand and making a comfortable chair appear out of nowhere. Albus sat politely in the chair and McGonagall looked up.
"I am aware," McGonagall said, "of what had happened that day when you had a little bit of a fight with Malfoy, Potter. I am quite disappointed you'd do such thing. I have taken twenty points from Gryffindor."
"But, Professor, It was Malfoy who-"
"And I have taken a fair amount of points from Slytherin as well, Potter, so don't start arguing."
Albus quieted down.
"Can you guess why, Potter, I have not given you your files to arrange?" McGonagall asked.
"Because I was arguing when I wasn't allowed to speak, Professor."
"No, Albus, because that is not the reason I called you here."
"What is it then, Professor?"
"I have visited a very special person named Sybil Trelawney. She is the one who looked into your father's destiny in her crystal ball and told your father his destiny is to defeat Voldemort before he can destroy the world we live in today.
"Due to Voldemort's sudden return, I have visited her today. She looked rather deeply into the Crystal Ball this time, and did you know the information she gave me?"
"No, Professor. What Information has Trelawney given you?"
"This time, Albus, there are three people that need to defeat Voldemort. One of them is you, being the son of the one that had defeated Voldemort years before. But the two others are your friends, Albus, Naomi and Andrew."
Albus blinked. "How-"
"It is simply, Albus, that you were destined to meet Naomi and Andrew and become friends with them. You three are to defeat Voldemort personally, and finish him once and for all. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Professor. But why not my father?"
"Your father has done his part in Voldemort's history."
"I understand, Professor."
McGonagall paused. "Albus, this will not be easy."
"Yes, Professor. I was just wondering how it would be possible for me to defeat Voldemort."
"Patience, Potter. That's what this world needs."
"What do you mean, Professor?"
"You are only eleven years old, Potter. There is not much of a chance at all that can happen. What you need to do is simple, Albus. Just keep away from Voldemort the best you can, and when you turn 17 you will defeat Voldemort forever." McGonagall looked at the clock hanging on the wall, "You may leave, Potter."
Albus went out of detention and saw that Andrew was waiting for him outside, looking sleepy.
Albus and Andrew walked on down the hall to get Naomi.
"Worst detention ever." Andrew mumbled. "I accidentally tasted some forgetfulness potion and Slughorn had to brew the antidote. It was rather complicated."
Finally, they reached Naomi, who was putting the mop back in the storage rooms. She looked sad for some reason, not her usual neat self at all. Her bangs were hanging over her eyes, and her usually bouncy curls seemed to have gotten droopy and loose.
"You alright there, Naomi?" Andrew asked.
Naomi didn't answer, but moved her bangs away. Her eyes were red with crying, she looked miserable.
"Let's just go to the dormitories already," She mumbled and led Albus and Andrew to the Dormitories.
"Naomi," Albus caught up with her, "What's the deal?"
Naomi had led them into the common room instead of the dormitories. Naomi plopped down on the couch, leaned forward, and buried her face in her hands.
"It was Chang."
Andrew scratched the back of his head. "Snow Chang, you mean? That girl that's got a thing for following Malfoy around? What'd she do?"
"S-She made m-me look like a-an idiot b-because I was mopping the f-floor i-in front of a b-big group of Slytherins. S-some Gryffindors named A-Abigail Hilburn, Jodi Brown, a-and I-Isabella tried t-to help. E-Everyone e-else in the group was laughing at m-me." Naomi mumbled.
"Chang and Malfoy are gits, everyone knows that." Albus, Andrew, and Naomi turned to see James and his two friends, Archie Wyatt and Alfie Poe.
"Don't worry, Naomi," James continued.
"They're just trying to be all cool," Archie Wyatt said.
"But they're really nowhere close to cool, see." Alfie Poe smiled.
"They're still stuck on that 'loser' stage," James nodded.
"I think they deserve more to be the ones mopping," Archie smirked.
"If I were headmaster I'd have them locked in dungeons," Alfie tilted his head.
"Before they could even touch a mop, of course," James finished.
Naomi smiled.
"Can't cheer up your friend here like we did, little brother?" Archie asked Andrew. Andrew smiled. "Thanks for the cheer, Archie." Andrew said.
"We like to be called," Archie began.
"The Three Jokers. But you can call us Jokers for short." Alfie finished.
Just then, Naomi's twin, Aubrey, entered the room.
"Hello, Naomi. I heard Snow made fun of you back there." Aubrey said. Albus noticed she looked much more pleasant when she was happy. Her eyes were more shocking than Naomi's, though the same teal color and size. Aubrey did indeed look like Naomi, except she had straight strawberry-blonde hair and bangs.
"Wotcher, Albus." Aubrey said suddenly.
"Well, it looks as if Snow got you there, Naomi," James started, and Naomi smiled.
"But we'll fix that tomorrow," Archie said.
"We'll get those bloody gits back, for sure," Alfie Poe smirked.
"With some pure jokes from the three Jokers." James finished, and exited the room with Alfie and Archie, whispering frantically to one another.
"Well, see you then Naomi," Aubrey gave Naomi a comforting hug, "you heard them, Snow and her little boyfriends, Malfoy and Lyon Crabbe," Aubrey turned to Albus and Andrew, "So long, Andrew, Albus. I do hope we can become friends." Aubrey parted, and Naomi, feeling better, smiled and left for the dormitories along with Andrew and Albus.