Suddenly they were stopped in their tracks. “have you come to see me?” It was Gilderoy Lockhart their former Defence against the Dark Arts teacher. His smile was as big as ever and almost as shiny. “I can do you an autograph?” Ron, and Harry were flustered to see him, whereas Ginny, Louisa and Hermione took more of a pitying stance. He had never been a favourite, in fact Louisa’s class had called him Mockhart. They took the slightly odd-looking autographs and hoped that he wouldn’t be there on the way back.

They managed to hurry away fairly quickly but they heard someone call out “Mrs Longbottom” and at this they all seemed to instinctively turn around. Neville and his grandmother were walking away from two patients. Neville’s grandmother knew them all by name, as he had obviously been talking a lot about his friends. Louisa instinctively transfigured and ran into Ginny’s bag.

When they arrived at the tea room, Harry told them about how Bellatrix Lestrange had tortured Neville’s parents until they lost their minds.

“That’s why she was sent to Azkaban” said Harry “where’s Louisa? I thought she was coming with us”
Ginny looked in her bag. “you can come out now.”

A small mouse ran out of the bag and onto the seat between her and Hermione. Within seconds it transfigured into Louisa.

“no need to hide” said Ron

“yeah well, I don’t know what she knows, and…and…That HAT !!!” said Louisa

“gruesome” agreed the girls.

“did you know? About Neville’s parents Lou” asked Ron

“umm, well… Not exactly.” She knew this was a lie but she didn’t care. She just didn’t like speaking about the things her father and the Death Eaters may have done whilst they were alive. Especially at the moment and especially in front of Harry.

“I defiantly didn’t know they were here.” They all nodded.

Once back at the house they spent the rest of Christmas Day playing games. As time went by the mood got sullener. They all travelled back to Hogwarts on the Knight Bus, there was a curious absence from the party though. Tonks and Lupin counted everyone in and said all were present and correct. It wasn’t until they got off at Hogsmeade, feeling a little worse for wear, that Harry, Ron and Hermione realised she had never got on the bus in the first place.

Tonks and Lupin waved them off and wished them a good term and as they turned around there she was.

“How did you get here?” asked George

“What are you talking about?” asked Lou smiling.

“That was some ride” said Ron

“Was that a house-elf? It wasn’t Kreacher.” Asked Hermione

“er… are you seeing house-elves now?” Louisa looked around. Her house-elf had gone. Back to Knockturn Alley.