Chapter Nine:
( welcoming returns )

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SPENCER NEVER REALIZED SHE could run in such a fast matter until the day she escaped her disturbing family. Well, not escape escape. Hogwarts is finally returning to session and the first thing she does is immediately look for Ricky Adams. Never once does she utter a goodbye to her family and when she finds her friend fixing his robes, she attacks him in a huge well-deserved hug. Her friend groans at the impact, but he returns the embrace.

"Two weeks that bad, huh?" Ricky jokes around, unaware of how true his statement had been. All she does is smile with a nod, her hand meeting his comfortingly. Spencer does not like hiding stuff from her friend, but she also knows he has a tendency to worry. Which is why she brings her sleeve down, making sure her wrist is being hidden.

As she unravels her hair, she tells him, "The only part that made it better was the fact that the Malfoys went to our house. Most likely for a bad cause, but I'd prefer to hang out with Malfoy than Morgana." Spencer shudders at the reminder of her sister.

Ricky stares at her curiously. "You were with Malfoy?" Just at that moment, Theodore met up with them and he glances at the two with a confused expression.

"No..." the Slytherin mumbles out quietly, his head tilting down in confusion.

Spencer pats his back thoughtfully. "Don't worry yourself out, Theo. I was," she explains vaguely. Theodore immediately raises his head with utter surprise and his nose scrunches up in disgust. Her eyes wanders around in interest as she tries to look for Harry or any of the Weasleys in general. She hopes they are alright. When Malfoy had gone to her manor, she thought about sending them a letter but if her family had gotten notice of that... she wasn't sure what they would do. Morgana absolutely despises them and she could have pass down the anger to her parents.

Her brown eyes meet the familiar green ones and she grins, grabbing on to her friend's arms as she drags them toward the chosen one. Harry smiles politely, his eyes warily glancing at the Slytherin before deciding to be civil instead. When Spencer let go of her friend's arms, she holds hers out for Harry to get in a hug. The Gryffindor rolls his eyes before accepting the embrace, letting go as he then realizes she is returning back as well. A look of concern crosses his face.

"Was everything alright?" He questions, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.

Instead of answering his question, she asks one of her own, "For me? I should ask the same to you. Are you and the Weasleys okay?"

Harry nods as his answer. "He was treated quickly, thankfully. I'll see you later, yeah?" He slowly starts backing away and when she gives him an affirmative response, the boy turns to return to his own friends. Theodore hums beside her thoughtfully.

"Where's my hug?" He whines playfully. Spencer slaps his chest lightly before grinning and pulling him in one without warning. Theodore grunts before carefully wrapping his own around her. Ricky smiles softly as he notices the relaxed expression on his face.

When they let go, Ricky wraps his own arm around Spencer's shoulders. "There is something about your hugs, Spence. Makes us feel deeply loved," he tells her informatively. Just like when she threw himself at him, and at Harry, and at Theodore. All of them left with a better sense of themselves. Or at least that is what Ricky assumes since that is how he feels and based off the other two expressions, they feel similar to how he does.

The next day classes begins once more and Spencer could not be any more tired than ever. Potions passes like a breeze with her and Theodore working together on one of the stirring. If it is possible, she can sense an even greater hole between Professor Snape and Harry (her friend continuously glares at the man). It is difficult to write with an injured wrist, but to pay her no attention she ignores the twinge of pain and continues as if everything is normal. The usual activity Spencer tends to do. She is rather becoming great at it, isn't she?

Spencer is not sure why she was not expecting Zabini to notice her marks in her wrist. That boy rarely talks when in class and has become extremely observant; she should have known better and covered it up nicely. Except, the moment she sat beside him in Professor Umbridge's class, he already spotted the faded redness. Fortunately, that mark could easily leave with magic, but she had forgotten to do it the minute she returned. Spencer grew used to having it on her wrist that the moment she returned to Hogwarts she thought it would fade in its own (which it would in due time). Now, she has to face the consequences of forgetting (for someone with eidetic memory that is a huge mistake) and stares away from the Slytherin.

She supposes the only good thing in the classroom is the fact that Umbridge does not let them talk. This did not give Zabini a chance to open his mouth and question her of any sorts. However, when class finished, the same could not be same. Spencer closes her eyes as she feels his hand swiftly grab on to hers. Her lips purses together and she lets him turn her back around to face him. One would easily assume they are about to dance in the middle of the classroom like some lovesick figures.

"Let me go, Zabini," demands Spencer, her light hazel eyes staring back at his own dark ones. She does not mean to emphasize on his surname bitterly, but it comes out that way. His hand softens around hers when a small frown begins forming on his mouth. He clenches his jaw and chuckles harshly before accepting her words. Spencer could not help but recoil at how in a matter of seconds, his concern turns to a blank stare. She regrets the words she briefly retorts to him as she realizes what that caused him to do.

Zabini steps away from her with his hands raised. "Whatever you say, Montague," the boy responds coldly, giving her a mock-salute before strolling away.

Empty words are left in her mouth as she watches him leave her sight. Guilt spurs inside her stomach before she swallows deeply and makes her way toward her patient-waiting friend. Concern washes over his features immediately and he glances at the Slytherin before back at her. Ricky's eyes swept over her face as he questions, "What just happened?"

Ricky cannot help but notice that every time, in this class specifically, he would be extremely confused. Spencer lets a frown rest in her lips. "I've upset him, that's all... I hope," she sighs, only letting herself lightly smile when Theodore goes beside her.

The Slytherin usually sits with them during their breaks and dinner which confuses the two Ravenclaws when he would sometimes actually sit with his own housemates. Even the Ravenclaws were being used to him sitting down beside Luna Lovegood and once a week making small conversation with her. Still, he makes sure to keep a hardened look on his face when anyone else apart from the three of them would be in his way. If he is not talking, he is listening and observing. Which is why when Ricky starts talking about doing some muggle sport with his family, his ears listen in but his eyes travels down to the girl's fidgeting fingers. A scar faded on top of her hand, but he already knows about that one since she told him about it. Apparently, it is best to not have detention with Professor Umbridge or she would make you do the 'most likely illegal' lines. However, that is not all he notices as he stares at her wrist. In both of them, a faded red mark noticeable straight away. The words coming out of Ricky's voice no longer held the same meaning and instead he furrows his eyebrows, his hand instantly grabbing hers and he makes sure to not cause her any harm as he held it up.

Ricky slowly starts trailing off as he notices what Theodore did. The impatient Slytherin does not care of the attention he receives as he, unintentionally, loudly asks, "Who the hell did this to you, Spencer?"

Many of their Ravenclaw housemates turn their head their way and held in their breath as they notice the Slytherin's expression holding anger in them although having no reason why. The boy stands up which gains more attention from other houses that which includes the Slytherin boy she angered during Umbridge's class. Spencer widens her eyes and quickly pushes him down. She ignores the many pair of eyes and instead gives her two friends a look. Unfortunately, Ricky and Theodore both seem to be tired of the expression leading them to glare at the girl.

"Spencer, we said no more secrets between us," Ricky cautions quietly. The young Montague bites the inside of her cheek, a harvest of barren regrets filling up in her body. This is a reminder to the power Morgana holds. The way she can still be manipulative even to those that despise her. After Christmas passed, Spencer made sure to identify what Morgana used on her. It was obviously something muggle-related since the girl could not use magic. Since her sister is horrible at hiding evidence (that she barely found out), Spencer was able to locate the bottle and do research on it briefly. The books in the manor barely held any muggle relations and she had to beg her father to accompany her to a close library when Morgana and her mother were not home. It took ages, but her father agreed after some time (not that they stayed very long). In the muggle library, she was able to find the name of the bottle she found and read about it.

Morgana took it upon herself to find a bottle of Haloperidol, which is an antipsychotic medication used for treatment of schizophrenia. Typically, it isn't used for anything wrong. Except as she continues reading into it, Spencer was able to find out that if she took more of the drug than recommended (like Morgana was trying to achieve), it would induce restlessness and Parkinson's-type symptoms. Again, she had to quickly search for the unknown word and Spencer had to stop herself from throwing up in the public place. You see, Parkinson's is a type of disease muggles can receive through the many usage of drugs or other scenarios. The symptoms included shaking, slowness, and even thinking and behavior problems. Morgana most likely figured that overdosing on drugs would damage her (or possibly kill her). The fact that she even tried to makes Spencer feel sick. Luckily, her sister is not in Ravenclaw for a reason. The older girl is bland to her ideas and does not realize she did not use much on her. Only enough to cause haziness and go unconscious, but nothing life-threatening.

Either way, Morgana is finally getting what she wanted all those years. Spencer begins to feel afraid of her own blood, but she would never dare admit it to her. No matter the consequence.

"Spencer?" Ricky's voice is heard again, this time the anger vanishing and instead a worried look stays in his face. The girl lets her eyes wander around and noticed that she no longer is the main of attention (thankfully). Theodore has calmed down, but a frown stills in his lips.

Spencer clears her throat and apologizes, "Sorry." She speaks no more and instead glances down at her unfinished food. Suddenly, it does not appear to taste so good. What is wrong with her?

"What happened?" This time Theodore's voice is calm. The Ravenclaw girl lets the question run in her mind. What happened? What did not happen? How does one answer that question when no one would believe her— just like Morgana said. There is no doubt that her boys would not not believe her, but everyone else? No one could do anything to prove what happened. If anything, her parents would just easily side with Morgana either way. Her friends will believe her and yet no one else.

But she promised Ricky to always tell him the truth. Her word to him is stronger than anything. Which is why she doesn't dare to look at them as she confesses, "Morgana knocked me out and tied me up." Should she mention the drugs? If her sister had gone over the head and gave her around two to three more full bottles, there was a chance she could have... well, gain an addiction. An undying obsession over drugs that could possibly lead to her death.

No, she shouldn't mention the drugs.

Theodore is the first to react as he leans back, his mouth widen in surprise. She could tell questions ran through his head, all which she would not answer. Ricky wasn't doing anything better. His face fell of any happiness and the story he had been telling them long forgotten. Anger replaces the gentleness in his eyes and his hand clenches tightly into fists.

Spencer wraps both her hands around theirs. "You cannot do anything. Morgana knows it and so do I. Let it go," Spencer replies quickly, swallowing deeply as she accepts the truth.

"But she hurt you," Theodore sounds innocent as he pronounces the words barely above a whisper. Her eyes softens and she gently caresses his thumb.

"I'm fine. She can't hurt me in Hogwarts and I won't go back during our break in April," Spencer assures lightly.

Ricky clenches his jaw. "And summer? What are you gonna do then, Spencer? Won't she be turning seventeen?"

Yes. Morgana will turn seventeen in the middle of summer vacation. After that, she could possibly do anything to the young girl and not be marked for it. What is she going to do? Spencer wouldn't be able to defend herself despite the hundreds of spells she knows. Anything her sister could send, Spencer could easily reflect. Except when it came to one of them having an advantage and not the other one (in this case Morgana having magic while she would not). There is one thing she knows absolutely. Morgana cannot win. Not after everything. If that means having to defend herself using magic in her own house (which could lead her to expulsion like how Harry almost had been) then so be it.

"I'll do whatever it takes to defend myself," Spencer reveals, a small nod being given to the two boys. Ricky and Theodore frown unsurely before slowly letting the topic go.

.･:*:･ﾟ'✫,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

SPENCER WOULD NEVER SAY she thought the worst has come already. It hasn't... not really. Cedric died and honestly that should have been the worst, but if his murderer has not been caught then that makes it quite obvious nothing would better itself. The moment she read the Daily Prophet in an inconsiderable morning, her mouth opens in shock, her fingers freeze, and the newspaper itself falls off her hands. Theodore manages to grab the paper as it fell and began reading it curiously, wondering what news could have made her react a certain way. His eyes furrow in thought and then slowly began to widen as he realize what the news is saying. Ricky, the remarkably curious Ravenclaw, leans in forward and motions for Theodore to hand it to him after a while. Exceptionally clearly, the three of them read the names and see the pictures of those Deatheaters. In total, nine of them are wizards and two of them witches. One whom Spencer recognizes deeply.

Mordra Montague convicted of committing murder against four muggles and torturing two more.

Her aunt's hair spazzed out, dirt spread in all around her body. Eyes widened with insanity in them, a full blown nefarious smile on her face. No regret for what she had done and is willing to do. Spencer let her eyes wander up to the Slytherin crowd. Just as suspected, Morgana holds the Daily Prophet in her hand, an eyebrow raised cruelly and a small smirk of gracefulness. The older girl always loved her aunt dearly; Mordra had been the one to teach her the ways to the dark side. Spencer has no doubt that if she had not been caught, the older woman would have poisoned her mind as well. Would she then also be considered the perfect daughter?

Her best friend silently places his own hand on top of hers, a comforting smile on his face. On the other hand, Theodore wears a solemn look on his face, his eyes drifting away from the two. Spencer gazes at him softly before pressing a tinder kiss on his cheek. Two purebloods having some sort of relative interested or involved with the dark arts (not that Ricky knew the absolute truth). And one muggleborn wizard knowing how distraught they were to be. Silence lingers in their area before two loud pairs of steps come running in their direction. Spencer turns around, her eyes meeting those of the familiar twins. A mad grin appear in their faces identical to one another.

"Spencer—"

"Our beloved Ravenclaw friend—"

"We've come to ask—"

"For your help," the Weasley twins utter in unison. Their eyes brighten madly and Fred sits beside her while George sits beside Theodore uncaringly. Her Slytherin friend masks his own emotions and stares at the two uninterestingly. Her thought about the Azkaban escape (and the other sections— there was one about Sirius Black) briefly went in the back of her head.

She sends a quizzical look at the two redheads. "What's up?"

The two of them share a look before giving the two other boys an apologizing glance. "We were hoping to talk it out privately. No offense, Nott, Ricky. You'll find out soon enough," Fred smoothly says, winking slightly at the two boys. Theodore raises an eyebrow in curiosity but does not question their motives. He has a feeling they are to do their usual tactics and most likely end up with a detention.

"Um," Spencer pauses, sending a small shrug of confusion to Ricky, "okay?" Immediately after she stands up, Fred and George drags her out to the library. The two of them practically skip in excitement and the young girl already feels her regret for doing so.

George motions for the two to follow him quietly to a corner of the library and found themselves a table. Their legs bounces up and down rapidly before sharing a grin and in simultaneously asking, "We were wondering if you can help us with our soon-to-be greatest work?"

Spencer blinks at the question unsurely. "Wait— what?"

"You're the smartest person we know," George tells her, receiving a nod of agreement from his brother. It always surprises her why she was able to tell them apart, even when they shared the same hairstyles to trick others. If one looks close enough, they could identify the differences in their structure of nose and the shape of their eyes. The moment she figured out whose name truly belong to who (sometimes they would switch names) in her first year, she soon was able to identify them separately.

"Hermione is brilliant as well," Spencer retorts back, her eyebrow raising up in defiance.

Fred shrugs nonchalantly. "Yeah, she's smart too. Except she is also strict. What we're about to tell you is most likely not gonna end up in agreement with her morals..." he responds easily, his voice trailing toward the end.

The Ravenclaw widens her eyes in surprise. Morals? Are they going to kill someone or are they just being dramatic? Truthfully, she could never know with the Weasley twins and their charming (but goofy) smile. George snickers at her expression and calmly places his hand on her arm.

"Don't worry, we're not hurting anyone. In fact, this is more for us than anything," George continues, assuring the girl that murdering is not occurring in any way. Yeah... the Weasleys weren't the type to commit slaughter either way. Spencer nods back and waves her hand as if telling them to continue.

"We want to leave the school. George and I have discussed this before, but now with Umbridge in the way and her kicking us off our true love— we really want to do it," Fred discusses, leaning in forward. All of them by now lowered their voices to be discreet. At the new information, the young girl stares at them in shock.

She furrows her eyebrows in thought before questioning, "And how are you gonna do that? Hogwarts cannot allow for people to apparate in or out. The Floo Network is prohibited as well. One way to do it is with a Portkey..."

"Yeah," Fred nods, "that's why we want your help."

Spencer appears taken back. She glances around the room before whispering, "You want me to create a Portkey? That's illegal and I like you twins, but I'm not the one trying to leave."

George shakes his head and clears his throat. "No, we wouldn't ask that of you. We were hoping you can help us find another way...?"

The young Montague frowns in thought and places her chin on her crossed arms that rests on the table. A way to escape from Hogwarts? If not by a Portkey... then perhaps another method would work. Why did the answer feel so close? Oh, yes! Last year they had visitors from different schools and they flew! Flying is a way to get in and out of Hogwarts without being stopped. A slight smirk appears in her face as she faces the two redheads in triumph. The two of them glance at each other before staring at her with suspense.

"Now tell me boys," Spencer brings their attention toward her. "Do you prefer flying on some flying horse— like a Thestral or flying on your brooms?"

In utter realization, Fred and George open their mouth at the reveal. They practically jump out of their seats and the two of them press a smacking kiss on her cheek; Fred on her right, George on her left. Spencer lets a small giggle and pushes them away. The gingers sigh in awe. "Spencer Montague, you are the best. Just for that, we'll name one of our inventions after you," Fred compliments, a mad grin on his lips.

George nods in agreement. "I'd say something with Montague, but that could mean Morgana as well and we don't like her... how about for that one trick of speed reading at a maximum level? Fits for our favorite Ravenclaw, doesn't it?"

Spencer tilts her head in confusion. They had one of those already? She notices Fred's eyes widen with a bright smile. "Yeah! What about Speeding-Spence?"

"Done," George shakes his brother hand as the two agreed on the name.

"Woah, all I did was give an idea," Spencer backtracks a bit, her head leaning back in surprise. Their head snaps at her.

"And that was the thing we've been trying to find out for ages! Look, we figured out how to cause our grand goodbye, but you helped us complete it. Give yourself credit, Spence. That's what we're doing— well, not publicity because that would get you in trouble for aiding us," Fred assures. Spencer felt her cheeks redden and she coughs slightly to get rid of her embarrassment. Her eyes land on her wrist before remembering that she still needs to cast a spell. She makes sure no one else looks before turning back to the twins and asking, "Can you guys do me a favor?"

At their raised eyebrows, Spencer makes a look of realization. She did just help them. "Can you heal my wrists for me?" Spencer raises up her arms and lifts it towards them.

Their eyes widen in unison and a look of anger and concern flashes in them. Before the twins could ask anything, Spencer raises her hand and shakes her head. "Please... don't ask," she begs lightly, frowning at the thought.

They look as if they were about to disagree before sighing in resignation. Fred and George take out their wands and each point it toward one of her wrist. At the same time, they casted the spell and the redness in her wrist vanishes from view. Spencer sighs in relief and rubs the spot carefully. "Thank you," she murmurs.

Before Spencer could say something else, her eyes wander to a familiar Slytherin strolling by himself around the library. Her words lingered in her tongue and she finds herself following his steps with her eyes. She stands up, barely glancing at the twins as she tells them, "I'll come back, okay?"

They do not get to answer as she walks away and makes her way toward the brooding Slytherin. He seems to hear her steps seeing as he turns around. A small scoff escapes his mouth, making Spencer frown as she calls out, "Wait... I'm—"

"I don't want to hear it, Montague," Zabini interrupts her with the same cold voice he used before. He smoothly eyes her wrist and then stares back at her eyes. "It seems to fit us perfectly fine being bitter against each other."

"No, that's not—" Spencer tries saying before sighing in defeat. Blaise Zabini, with all his pride, turns his back on her and simply walks away before she could say any more. She licks her lips in frustration. A small frown rests on her lips while she makes her way back to the twins. George gives her a tiny smile, letting his hand meet hers with care.

"You alright?" He questions quietly. Fred holds the same concerned expression on his face.

Spencer ponders for a few seconds. She is not sure. For some unusual reason, it does not sit right with her that the Slytherin is upset with her. "I don't know," she answers honestly.

(And perhaps she wouldn't for a while).

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:
and so the deranged aunt has
escaped azkaban! mordra is
most likely gonna be in the cast
for act two 😼 but also um
blaise is mad at her lmao 🙈

next chapter it's gonna be a rollercoaster
so like get ready 😁 dw tho i don't think
m*rgana is in it