Chapter Twelve:
( the da's reveal )

▂✫⌒*･ﾟ

             SPENCER HAS NOT SEEN Theodore in a while— well, she has, but he avoids the two Ravenclaws completely. The girl desperately hates that but she can tell that Ricky is not so against it. It upsets her that the three no longer sit together during breakfast, lunch, or dinner and that she is forced to watch them drift. Somehow, the young Montague cannot converse with the Slytherin during Potions either! They are partners and yet if Spencer tries to say anything unrelated to their classwork, the boy would ask another question about his potion or what Professor Snape said. He keeps avoiding eye contact and all Spencer can do is sigh in disappointment.

             Furthermore, her and Ricky will now have the privilege to say they've been taught by a centaur. Divination is to start in a few minutes, the two of them walk side-by-side toward classroom eleven. In their common room's notice board, a message was left that Divination would take place elsewhere due to the centaur's complication with going up a ladder. Classroom eleven situates in the ground-floor corridor leading off the entrance hall on the opposite side to the Great Hall. These rooms are never regularly used and the moment Spencer enters, her eyebrows raise in surprise.

             The classroom floor has become springily mossy and trees are growing out of it; their leafy branches fanned across the ceiling and windows. Students are sitting on the earthly floor with their backs resting against the tree trunks or boulders, arms wrap around their knees or folded tightly across their chests, looking rather nervous. Firenze, the centaur, stands in the middle of the room. Spencer skims her way past the students and sits next to Harry, giving space for Ricky to sit beside her. People are staring at the Gryffindor boy in awe (he most likely knows the centaur, doesn't he?).

             Firenze gestures around the room. "Professor Dumbledore kindly arranged this classroom for us in imitation of my natural habit. I would have preferred to teach you in the Forbidden Forest, which was— until Monday— my home... but this is not possible," says the centaur when everyone settles down.

             Spencer gazes at the new teacher in confusion. Clearly, this had something to do with Dumbledore based on the timeline. The headmaster most likely has barely contacted the centaur and in this case, caused problems within the forest because of this favor. As Parvati breathlessly questions why he cannot return, Firenze responds to something similar in what the girl believes happened between them.

             "Let us begin," Firenze changes the topic, swishing his long palomino tail. He raises his hand toward the leafy canopy overhead then lowers it slowly, and as he did so, the light in the room dims, so that they now seem to be sitting in a forest clearing by twilight, and stars emerge from the ceiling. In any other situation, this could be been considered somewhere neat to have a pleasant date on. Spencer's nose scrunches up in disgust as she remembers the person beside her swings for the other team while Harry (no matter how good-looking he actually is) is her friend and nothing more. Clearly, not with them.

             "Lie back upon the floor," orders Firenze in his calm voice, "and observe the heavens. Here is written, for those who can see, the fortune of our races."

             Spencer follows his orders and stretches out her back, gazing upwards to the ceiling. It is actually quite relaxing, reminding her of the times where she would sit beside the Slytherin up in the Astronomy Tower and gaze out at the stars and constellations. She has not done that in a while, but she assumes the boy has. He never told her the reason why, but perhaps one day he will. Risking getting caught by Filch is something he always looks out for— so why does he do it? Perhaps nothing of importance, but Spencer is a curious girl.

             "I know that you have learned the names of the planets and their moons in Astronomy," the centaur acknowledges, "and that you have mapped the star's progress through the heavens. Centaurs have unraveled the mysteries of these movements over the centuries. Our findings teach us that the future may be glimpsed in the sky above us..."

             The young Montague raises an eyebrow in interest. Professor Trelawney has mentioned astronomy along with predictions about the future, but she never made it sound as elegant the way Firenze describes it. Spencer is not one to believe in a clear path for the future— sure, Trelawney could actually be a true Seer, but there has to be other destinies... right? How could one's future be written in stone? This logic goes against the ideas Spencer learned, but she also does not completely bash it. No matter how insane a theory sounds, Spencer knows she has to keep her mind open to ideas or else what is the point in proof and discovery? It is the part where her and Hermione differ in and most likely why the girl was not placed in the house of eagles (although perhaps she asked to be placed in Gryffindor— Spencer doesn't know).

             While Parvati enthusiastically explains that Professor Trelawney has in fact taught them some of the connection between the skies and the future, Firenze interrupts her with a calm voice saying, "That is human nonsense."

             She cannot help but pity the Gryffindor girl who limply places down her hand and frowns. Firenze's hooves thuds over the mossy floor. "Trivial hurts, tiny human accidents. There are of no more significance than the scurrying of ants to the wide universe, and are unaffected by planetary movements."

             "Professor Trelawney—" begins Parvati, in a hurt and indignant voice.

            "—is a human," Firenze finishes simply. "And is therefore blinkered and fettered by the limitations of your kind."

             Spencer leans back with surprise. Then what's the point of this class? Maybe she should not question it since she chose to take instead. See, Spencer loves learning, but she'd rather learn the topic of the other classes without being tested on. Ricky thinks her strategy is brilliant because she still knows about Arithmancy and Ancient Runes— she just isn't going to take OWLs in it!

             "Sibyll Trelawney may have Seen, I do not know," continues Firenze, and Spencer hears the swishing of his tail again as he walks up and down before them, "but she wastes her time, in the main, on the self-flattering nonsense humans call fortune telling. I, however, am here to explain the wisdom of centaurs, which is impersonal and impartial. We watch the skies for the great tides of evil or change that are sometimes marked there. It may take ten years to be sure of what we're seeing."

             She sighs internally and stares up at the red star that Firenze points up at.

             "In the past decade, the indications have been that Wizard-kind is living through nothing more than a brief calm between two wars. Mars, bringer of battle, shines brightly above us, suggesting that the fight must break out again soon. How soon, centaurs may attempt to divine by the burning of certain herbs and leaves, by the observation of fume and flame..."

             From then on, each of the students do in fact deal with the burning of sage and mallowsweet there on the classroom floor. Firenze tells them to look for certain shapes and symbols in the pungent fumes, but absolutely none of them can spot anything. Spencer does not let it bother her as much because she figures it really does have to do with the fact that he is a centaur that has time to himself while humans do not.

             Though, everything seems to go to waste as Firenze then continues to say, "It's foolish to put even too much faith in such things anyway, because even centaurs sometimes read them wrongly."

             Spencer glances at Ricky with exasperation. "Well, this was horrible and yet interesting. I think if we were actual seers we would have known already," the girl whispers to her friend, causing an amused snort to escape him.

             The bell soon rings which causes many to jump, but Spencer stands up unaffected by the sound and exits. Sure, the room feels like they have been in the Forbidden Forest, but she knows best than to forget that they weren't.

             Spencer and Ricky find themselves back in the Ravenclaw common room where they sit by the small desk with their notes out. Although the two Ravenclaws are alright with one another, Spencer cannot help but be wary of their friendship. What if they argue once more and don't ever talk again? For the five years that they have been friends, this is the first time she questions her role in their friendship. She cannot bare to lose him. He is her brother in every way except blood.

             Which is why she knows they have to talk. "Ricky...?" Spencer lightly calls out, her hand holding out for his. The muggleborn wizard stops what he's doing (currently studying for OWLs) and turns toward her. A slight interest stare is on his face and it shifts into a more serious one as he notices hers.

             Spencer stops to think for a moment. Then her lips part and she slowly begins, "I'm doing better. Not fully okay, but definitely better than before... I think? You and uh— Theo take big part in that. My mind still scares me, though, I think I can handle it. I mean— until a few days ago I began thinking 'what if I lose you' because I'll mess up in our friendship again."

             Ricky appears to want to interrupt, but she does not let him.

             "I wouldn't blame you and I know you wouldn't actually do it because you've said it many times, but it's something that barely began making me feel afraid because of our argument. And it's not unusual to have banters, but you were really mad..." Spencer reveals, furrowing her brows closely together. Ricky grasps his hand with hers tightly.

             "No matter how many times we fight or even if they get ugly, I will never ever truly leave you, Spence. Remember what I said months ago? You're not alone. And you'll never be even when there is not another person with you," he comforts with determination, placing a small kiss in her hand.

             She smiles thinly. "I love you too," Spencer sighs out, letting her head fall onto his shoulder. Her eyes closes and she let them rest knowing it will take some time for her to regain her peaceful sleep.

.･:*:･ﾟ'✫,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

             DULL MARCH BLURS INTO April rather strangely. Spencer spends most of her time in the library going over her own personal notes and once she finishes going over those, she would pick up another academic book to read about. She prefers her own notes since it contains well-described portions of what she did and it is easy to get back to because of how she remembers each information. Her writing is slightly messy because she would write that in class and her mind goes faster than her hand. Thankfully, she also had time to rewrite them in another paper (yes, all of it) and this time it is much neater. One would assume two different people are writing it. Her newer and eligible notes are usually given to Ricky so he can review since he claims that her original ones is something he actually cannot read even if his vision is clearer than clear (which is absolutely rude).

             Spencer is not too worried about OWLs, sometimes she does freak out, but slowly her mind (she has a love-hate relationship with it) eases her up with optimistic thinking. Hermione is also someone else they occasionally see at the library which does not surprise her because it is Hermione. Harry and her continue meeting at least once a week and in those times, she offers some help for about ten minutes and spends the other conversing with one another. Truthfully, the boy does not want to study, but she makes him do it. Stress isn't a good deal and Hannah Abott should know that clearly since she bursted into tears a few days ago that Madam Pomfrey even had to give her a Calming Draught.

             They spend their time in the library until seven o'clock when the pair begin to walk to the Room of Requirement. Practices has been going on lately because one, it is quite enjoyable just aiming spells and two, many students made up the excuse that this would definitely help in their OWLs (which is why Hermione allows for it to happen often). When Harry met up with the two of his best friends, he quietly explains that they will be practicing Patronuses.

             Spencer cannot help but be filled with energy. She always wished to conjure such a beautiful spell— one that could protect you in the face of darkness. When everyone gathers up in the room, Harry begins their lesson. Reminding them, even before they can start, that producing a Patronus in the middle of a brightly lit classroom when they are not under threat is very difficult to producing it when confronted by something like a dementor. By the way he explains it, Spencer can tell he most likely did have to produce one just like that.

             "Expecto Patronum," Spencer mumbles softly, only sighing when her wand produces sparks, but nothing occurrs. It is quite ironic that the spell she always adored the most does not work in the first few tries (this was the tenth) unlike the many others. Every time she tries to think of something differently and they never work. The first memory had been her going to Hogwarts for the first time, but sadly that did not work out. The next few tries she brought up her family, except that was a mistake since not even a spark lit up. Honestly, why did she even try? Her lips lifts upwards as she watches Ricky's own spirit animal fly upon her. There is a happy grin on his face— and despite the disappointment she feels for herself, she cannot help but return the sentiment. Now that was something that could always brighten her up... oh.

             Spencer closes her eyes, breathing deeply with full confidence and determination. She reopens them the moment her lips part and clearly pronounces, "Expecto Patronum!"

             A sigh of relief and happiness escapes her. There is no hesitation that the Patronus produced is hers. Unlike Ricky's, hers does not fly upon the air, but it instead soars across the ground and playfully walks around. With a mark on its face (she could see it being a medium brown) and the rest a lighter shade, it's tail smoothly waving and ears pointed up, she could not just tell that it was a cat, but a Tonkinese cat. It is difficult trying to determine what type, but she knows it in her gut that it is. She has read a bit about the different types of cat, especially because they were available to take to Hogwarts. Apparently Tonkinese cats (based on the books), they are highly intelligent and playful, renowned for their affectionate nature, and demanding attention. It slightly fits her as well because these cats usually 'talk' the most too and anyone close to Spencer would know that if she finds herself with a topic to talk about, she would not stop talking.

             The Gryffindor boy easily goes beside her with a proud smile. "I knew you had it in you," he states assuringly, squeezing her shoulder tightly before making his way toward Cho.

             Her best friend lets a laugh escape him as his own flying mockingbird lands beside the cat and the two stare at each other before her cat sprung around enthusiastically. Spencer grins at him widely, admiring the fact that it is because of him that she is even able to produce one. If she did not have Ricky Adams in her life, Spencer would have likely never produced one.

             "They're so pretty," Cho's voice exclaims happily. Spencer and Ricky turn their attention toward the two who were previously conversing.

             "They're not supposed to be pretty, they're suppose to protect you," Harry tells her patiently. "What we really need is a boggart or something; that's how I learned, I had to conjure a Patronus while the boggart was pretending to be a dementor—"

             While Lavender comments that it would be scary, Spencer then adds, "There's also the fact that dementors isn't something we all see as our boggart."

             Harry makes a face of realization and nods in agreement. Neville and a few others are having trouble in producing one, but she is proud of them for getting so far! Spencer is glad that she was able to even produce one at all. It is difficult trying to find a good memory, but her friend's smile reminds her of where she can find her happiness. There is nothing— no one else in the world that can assure her happiness like Ricky Adams. From the first meet, he has been the person she can count on. All the memories of her laughing always involve him. He's the bringing of her smile into the misery of her life and she swears that she is willing to do anything for him.

             "They are sort of nice, aren't they?" Hermione comments, looking at her shining silver otter. Spencer raises an eyebrow at her.

             "Sort of? This has to be my favorite spell," Spencer gushes out, grinning widely at her own spiritual cat.

             The door of the Room of Requirement opens and then closes again; Spencer turns around at the noise and frowns when she sees no one. Then, a familiar voice brings her to stare at her Gryffindor friend whose robes are being tugged by Dobby. His eyes are widen and suddenly, a panic feeling began erupting in her stomach.

             "What are you— what's wrong?" She hears Harry question. Spencer tugs Ricky's arm and makes him listen in as well. A frown grew on his face as he notices the wide-eyes that are filled with terror and the shakiness along with it. Everyone's Patronuses that appeared vanishes completely— and the happiness in their faces disappears.

             "Harry Potter, sir..." squeaks the elf, trembling from head to foot, "Harry Potter..." Dobby turns once more and faces the Ravenclaw girl. Spencer holds in her breath in confusion. "Spencer Montague, miss... Dobby has come to warn the two... but the house-elves has been warned not to tell..."

             Dobby releases a sound of frustration and goes to slam himself in the wall, making many jump in surprise. "Two sirs... helped me out to warn..." he stops himself from talking and hits himself once more until he was brought back into a cushion.

             "Dobby," Spencer calls out with a whimper, letting Harry go more forward to deal with it. Ricky squeezes her hand in comfort and brought him close. The boy who lived takes over and questions, "What's happened, Dobby?"

             "Harry Potter... she... she..."

             Dobby hit himself hard on the nose with his free fist; Harry seizes that so he wouldn't do it again.

             "Who's she, Dobby?"

             Fear stricken her face in slight realization. There can be only one she who would rudely ask the elves to hide something... and who would even dare to do it. Her thoughts are confirmed as Harry catches the word as well and asks in a horrified tone, "Umbridge?"

             Slowly, the elf nods and then tries to bang himself in Harry's own knees.

             "What about her, Dobby? She hasn't found out about this— about us— about the D.A.?" The question lingers in the air and everyone awaits for their answer. Spencer makes a face right when Dobby nods and noticing their stun's, quickly yells, "RUN!"

             Harry yells the same word she had while also adding, "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? LISTEN TO HER!"

             All at once, they all pelt toward the exit at once, forming a scrum at the door, then people burst through; sprinting in the corridors and hopefully somewhere safe. Spencer quickly tugs Ricky's hand as the two make their way out of the room. She can feel her heartbeat increase rapidly and her eyes quickly scan the room looking for an escape. Her feet stop dead in her tracks as she could see the group of students— mostly Slytherins approaching from where many ran. Shit. Spencer licks her lips in worry, gulping in fear and most likely defeat. Now she won't ever get to see the light of day if Umbridge finds her— or Morgana.

             "Spence!" A familiar voice whisper-yells, very quiet, but loud enough for her to catch. The Ravenclaw turns to the noise and she finds herself sighing in relief on who it is— who they are. Ricky appears adamant as he notices who caught her eye, a look of distrust in his eyes. However, Spencer ignores the fact and instead pulls him along as they try to run and sneak past the rest of the Slytherin students. Keyword: tried. Although the two smartly hid their face, two other students grab their arms to try and take them to Umbridge.

             "Impedimenta," the boy beside Theodore Nott casts out with a hardened expression. Instantly, the two students ready to pull the Ravenclaws tripped in their own feet. Spencer and Ricky share a look before they ran to the helpful Slytherins. Theodore quickly hauls toward Ricky (and despite the untrusted look in his face, he allowed him to do so) and Blaise Zabini grabs onto Spencer's hand. All four of them begin running out of the way until they find themselves near the bathrooms.

             Spencer lets out a tired breath and leans into the wall, her head tilted upwards in exhaustion. She should really start exercising on her own. Once she feels at least less tired, the girl glances up and quietly tells them, "They're gonna be looking around, I'll bet."

             "Then they best be off," Ricky mutters out, his face clearly worn out, but still bitter as he motions to the Slytherins. Spencer sends him a glare as Theodore flinches back while Zabini simply rolls his eyes.

             "Watch yourself, Ricky. They just helped us," Spencer defends the two Slytherins. He clenches his jaw before nodding in defeat. She turns slightly before thinking to herself. "They're gonna have to search around... we need to be hidden."

             Zabini eyes her silently before murmuring, "We can use the Invisibility Charm."

             Spencer gives him a knowing smile, "Right... I'm sure you're quite familiar with it." He raises his eyebrows without agreeing or disagreeing, but she knows she is correct. The young girl always wondered how the Slytherin manages to go up to the Astronomy Tower and then back down without getting detention. Now, she figured it out. Remembering the sticky situation they were in, she snaps her fingers and then takes out her wand. "Ready?" She questions the taller boy, noticing that he too took it out.

             Theodore and Ricky stares at them in confusion before the Ravenclaw girl and the dark-skinned Slytherin in unison utters, "Inuisibilite." While Spencer has done it around her and Ricky, the Slytherin did it to his housemate and himself.

             Upon seeing nothing ahead of them, they realize the spell worked and just in time as Morgana loudly enters the halls and open the girl's restroom while another male enters the boy's. After a few seconds, they exit and left the hall they are in. Spencer quietens down and listens closely as she hears a continuous familiar boy exclaiming, "I've got Potter, I've got Potter!"

             Concern fills her up and she frowns, grasping whoever's hand is available for comfort. Regret soon does as well, but she ignores it. The regret came from the fact that she knows very well the hand she is holding on to is not Ricky's nor Theo's which left one other person. Thankfully, he does not remove it with disgust and instead lets her hold it. When they realize that most of the voices and steps are no longer audible, Spencer does the counter-spell with ease and the Slytherin follows along.

             "Hey," Theodore calls Spencer out. "I'm sure Potter is fine. Dumbledore's here."

             At the reminder of the headmaster being there, Spencer releases a sigh she does not even realize she held in. Professor Dumbledore most likely will try his best to get Harry out of the situation; how is the question now in her mind. Well, that and how did everyone else know?

             "How do you guys...?" Spencer decides to ask the everlasting question. She is sure Hermione had done a jinx and had become extra careful with it, so how could it be? Theodore swallows deeply and motions with his head toward his housemate. Ricky and Spencer stare at him curiously, practically urging him to tell them how.

             He only starts speaking when the young girl let her thumb gently caress his. "Draco... I overheard him tell Crabbe and Goyle about an unauthorized club that Potter led. And that the elves knew about it, but could not reveal anything. I told Nott about it in case— well, I told him and the two of us told that one weird elf... Dobby? Yeah, Dobby. We snuck him out so he could look for you and Potter," he explains in a quiet voice.

             "I'm sorry for not telling you," Spencer looks at Theo with a guilty frown.

             The Slytherin purses his lips and shakes his head. "I'm the son of a Deatheater so I'm sure Potter wouldn't have even tried," Theodore waves off. His face reveals a grimace at the word and he could only give a thin smile in response.

             Zabini huffs in amusement. "Well, I'm glad you didn't. Wouldn't want to ruin that pretty face of yours, and your voice isn't too bad," he states with a slight smirk. Theodore rolls his eyes before shrugging in agreement.

             "Someone snitched," Spencer realizes. Ricky covers his face with his own hand and most likely mumbles some inconsiderate language. Theodore nods at her words.

             "You know that Ravenclaw Marietta?"

             Anger replaces every other emotion in Spencer's gut. "That bitch," she curses, crossing her arms against her chest. An amused look crosses in their faces at her choice of words. Genuinely, she means no harm to Marietta since she is her roommate, but why would she expose them? She then gasps as she remembers about what else Hermione did.

             "We have a list," Spencer recalls in alert. Her best friend widens his eyes as he realizes what she meant. The two Slytherins glance at each other warily then look back at her.

             "Hopefully," Theodore brings their attention toward him. "Dumbledore helps all of you."

             Spencer hopes on that too. She takes a look around the area before staring back at them. "It's getting late. You two better be on your way before anyone figures out that you helped," she tells the Slytherins. The two boys nod in agreement before slowly backing away, her hand separating itself from Blaise's.

             "Thank you, Theo," she mumbles. The young Montague heads toward Theodore and gently grabs his face as she pecks his cheek. He smiles in return and nods in assurance. Spencer returns the favor before glancing at the other one. He stands there awkwardly and she knows it would be unfair if she does not say anything to him.

             "And thank you, Blaise," Spencer softly offers, her eyes gazing into his. She places her hand on his shoulders and tiptoes slightly before placing a small kiss on his cheek as well. Spencer internally feels proud as she feels the boy's cheek silently warm up. The Ravenclaw returns to her place beside Ricky (who only nodded at them) before waving goodbye.

             And the two Ravenclaws left in their own path, a slight relief filled in their system— and perhaps a new light for Ricky to see upon his old Slytherin friend.

             (None of them are prepared for the next few weeks to come).

▂✫⌒*･ﾟ

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
yes i updated on thursday
what about it 🙈

theodore and blaise are part of
the 'protect spencer montague' club
obv ricky is the head leader of it tho,,,

it took me some time tRYNA figure
out which patronus spence would
get and so i was choosin between
mine or a horse before choosing
mine only because i feel like based
on the personalities tonkinese cats
tend to have, spencer may relate to it?? idk

ANYWAY DID YOU GUYS SEE
HOW SHE CALLED HIM BLAISE!!!?????
it's been months and she finally called
him blaise ! ! ! and a kiss on the cheek and
held his hand BUT BLAISE !