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HOGWARTS OVEREXPOSED - SALAZAR'S RETURN

"This competition will be very different from the Tri-Wizard Tournament held here over ten years ago," Snape said. "Firstly, it is a team, rather than an individual event. Secondly, the contests will involve mental and physical challenges as well as the use of magical abilities. In some events, the use of magic will actually be strictly forbidden.

"The Goblet of Fire will be picking the Hogwarts contenders, but will be following prearranged rules. The team will be composed of six individuals, three boys and three girls. Each house will have at least one representative on the team and for obvious reasons, first years will not be allowed to participate."

This pronouncement was followed by moans from the first years.

"Now, let's be reasonable," Professor Snape said, shaking his head. "As first years, most of you haven't even learned to do a proper 'swish and flick' yet. However, if any of you get the notion to submit your name anyway, you should be warned. Before presenting me with the names of our team members, the Goblet will spit out any names of first years submitted. Mr. Filch will be standing by with a list of detention tasks to be assigned to those individuals. Now, I've rambled on way too long. Tuck in."

Chapter Ten

Twists and Turns

Monday, September 5, 2005

What a difference a year makes, Emily thought to herself as she watched Kim sleeping contentedly. When they first met, Kim was the shyest, most worried first year you could ever imagine. Her anxiety was only amplified when her dorm-mates mistakenly jumped to the conclusion that she was a nudist and she ended up having to live the lie.

Back then, Kim couldn't wait to close her bed hangings in order to hide her embarrassment at being naked. Now her hangings were wide open and Kim was sleeping coverless, her loveliness completely exposed.

"Time to get up, you brazen hussy," Emily called.

"Talk about the pot calling the kettle black," Kim said, as she stretched unashamedly. "I don't see you rushing to hide your modesty."

"Probably because I don't have any," Emily said with a laugh. "You know how I feel about clothes. I'd have absolutely no problem spending the entire day like this."

Kim stared enviously at her best friend. "I've come to love being nude," she said. "The cruise was fabulous, but I doubt I'll ever be as at ease with bareness as you. I couldn't imagine walking into the Great Hall starkers and having everyone else clothed and gawking at me."

"They'd eventually get tired of staring," Emily said unconcernedly. "I'd gladly give every stitch of clothing I own to charity if I were told I could remain like this the rest of my life without any ramifications."

Kim got out of bed, went over to Emily and embraced her best friend closely. "I'm glad that your ordeal didn't change you any. I love you just the way you are." Kim gave Emily a light kiss on the cheek.

"Why don't you two lesbians get a private room?" Denise Graves, their least affable roommate suggested.

"Yeah! It's bad enough you both run around the dorm naked all the time," Janice complained. "Now are we going to be forced to watch you two fornicate as well?"

"We aren't gay," Emily said decisively. "Kim and I simply love each other. But you two wouldn't understand that. You're both too 'me oriented' to have feelings for anyone else."

"What if we were gay?" Kim said angrily. "There is nothing wrong with being gay. People shouldn't be judged on their sexual orientation."

"You're right," Denise declared. "It doesn't matter whether you two are gay or not; you're still both losers."

"Come on love," Kim said, giving Emily a wink and grabbing her inappropriately. "We don't have to listen to this crap. Let's go take a shower."

"Can I lather you first?" Emily asked naughtily as they exited the room.

"Not only are they nudists, but they're both queers, as well," Janice declared, as the bathroom door closed behind Kim and Emily.

"Does that really surprise you?" Denise crowed.

Marta and Becky had been listening to the exchange of barbs take place, but hadn't made any comment. Now they traded glances before Marta got out of her four- poster and traced Kim and Emily's steps to the bathroom.

"I can't believe you grabbed me down there," Emily said, as both girls burst into giggles as soon as the door closed behind them.

"You're always going on about how it's just another body part," Kim said. "Besides, did you see the look on their faces when I did it?"

"Yeah," Emily said laughing. "Denise actually turned green. You do realize that by lunchtime everyone in the school will think we have the hots for each other."

"In all probability, you're right," Kim agreed. "Maybe I shouldn't have gone so far."

"We're not done yet," Emily said, smirking. "Remember, I promised to soap you up."

"I don't think we should do that," Kim said, suddenly sounding quite serious. "I'm afraid I might like it."

Before Emily could respond, Marta entered the room. At first she just stared at them, without speaking. "You guys really do love each other, don't you?" she asked, seeming very impressed. "But not in the way you tried to make Denise and Janice believe."

"We're not gay if that's what you mean," Kim admitted, "but I'd do anything for Emily. Other than my Mum, I've never loved a person so much."

"I love her as much as I do Jamie and Caitlin. She's my sister," Emily avowed.

Marta studied them both cautiously as if she had something significant to share, but was extremely tentative. "Kim, did you mean what you said? Do you really not let sexual orientation affect how you feel about people? How about you, Emily? Do you think people who are gay are weird?"

Emily wavered, not certain just how much private information about herself she wanted to reveal to Marta with her answer. "I treat people the way they treat me," she said. "Their sexual preferences are their own business." She faltered before adding, "It's not right for me to judge other people, when I can't even completely figure myself out. I'm only twelve, but I'm pretty sure I'm heterosexual." She took a deep breath. "But there is a good chance I might be bisexual."

"Why are you asking all these questions?" Kim asked.

"Because it's hard to always be hiding your true feelings. It would be nice to have someone you could trust; someone you could let your guard down in front of." It was Marta's turn to take a deep breath. "Becky and I are a couple," she said quickly and then waited for a response.

"How long have you been together?" was the first question out of Kim's mouth.

"We've known each other since we were five," Marta answered, "but we've only been doing things to each other since we were ten."

"Ten?" Emily repeated in amazement. "You both knew you were gay at ten?"

"Not for sure. We just knew we liked to touch each other and be touched. It wasn't until we met you two that we were sure we were homosexuals," Marta explained.

"What did we have to do with it?" Kim asked.

Marta face turned a bright red. "Well, to be perfectly honest, the two of you running around in the buff all the time got both Becky and I rather keyed up." Emily and Kim exchanged nervous looks. "Don't worry, neither of us ever considered approaching either of you. We had each other to satisfy our wants. Besides, you both had us somewhat confused as to whether you liked boys or girls or both."

"Do we still get you excited?" Kim asked uncertainly.

"You both have attractive bodies, and Becky and I admittedly enjoy looking at you; similar to how someone looks at sexy pictures in a magazine." Marta paused. "I'm only confiding all this to you because we're tired of hiding our feelings. We want to be open about how we feel about each other, but we'd like to know that at least you two supported us."

"You both supported us last year," Emily said, without faltering. "I'll be there for you."

"That goes for me too," Kim said. "But…."

"You want to know how we can be sure about our feelings and choices," Marta said, as if reading Kim's mind. "We can't be absolutely positive. The two of us only know how we feel when we're together and neither of us wants that feeling to ever end."

"I envy you both," Emily sighed. "I hope you both still feel the same about each other a hundred years from now."

"I hope you and Kim both still share the marvelous friendship you have," Marta said sincerely. "I also hope that knowing about Becky and I won't make you self-conscious in front of us."

"Not in the least," Emily replied. "I can't think of any circumstances in which I'd prefer to be clothed rather than nude."

* * * * * *

When Emily and Kim returned to the dorm after completing their showers, they found Becky and Marta both sitting on Becky's bed talking conspiratorially. The four girls exchanged knowing smiles as Kim and Emily dressed for breakfast.

"Did I miss a lot on Thursday and Friday?" Emily asked concernedly.

"Not really," Kim said. "It was mostly review of stuff we learned last year. Today should be interesting though. This morning we have our first 'Anatomy of the Sexes' class with Professor Weasley, and then this afternoon Professor Longbottom is going to have us transplant Mandrakes in Herbology."

"Which one of the Weasleys do we have, the male or the female?" Emily asked.

"The one with boobs," Kim answered. "She is teaching first and second years."

"Somehow I doubt we'll learn anything in that class," Emily said assuredly. "I just can't picture Professor Weasley discussing sex frankly with a room full of twelve year olds, and the textbook looks like it is out of the Dark Ages."

"I think she'll be much better than her brother," Kim answered. "He's teaching the third and fourth years."

"You guys about ready?" Becky asked, giving Kim and Emily a smile.

"As soon as I slip on my skirt," Emily said, adjusting her mini.

"I can't believe you two tarts," Denise said with revulsion. "It's bad enough neither of you ever wear bras, but how can you parade around in such short skirts without knickers?"

Neither girl verbally answered Denise. Emily did, however, bend over while lifting her skirt to moon Denise and Janice.

As they neared the door to their dorm room, Becky and Marta exchanged nervous glances before reaching out and clutching each other's hand tightly.

"What do you say?" Emily asked, giving Kim a devilish smile. "Should we give the school something to really talk about?"

"That depends on what you have in mind," Kim answered coyly. "I have no problem with you holding my hand, but I'll scream if you grab my butt in public."

"Would I do that?" Emily asked, starting to slip her hand under Kim's skirt.

Kim slapped her hand away. "You're worse than Randy."

"Speaking of Randy, how are the two of you getting along?" Emily asked. "Have you heard anything from Brian?"

* * * * * *

"Now what's going on?" Harry said, looking dumbfounded, as Becky and Marta entered the Great Hall followed closely by Kim and Emily, both couples holding hands.

"I'm not sure I want to know," Hermione said shaking her head in consternation.

"You don't think they're, what do they call it, coming out of the closet… do you?" Harry asked.

"I don't know," Hermione answered, looking rather bewildered. "It would seem to me that twelve would be rather young to be sure of one's sexual penchant. Although I did notice what seemed to be a definite magnetism between Marta and Becky last year."

"Neither of them is my daughter," Harry said, alarm evident in his voice. "What about Emily and Kim? I thought they both were fond of boys."

Hermione seemed to ignore Harry as she watched Kim and Emily closely. Unlike Marta and Becky, who appeared to be extremely nervous, Emily and Kim were smiling and appeared to be having a splendid time.

"They're pretending," Hermione finally said. "Marta and Becky are genuine, but I think Kim and Emily are just role-playing."

"That's wrong," Harry said disappointedly. "I would expect the girls to support their friends, not make fun of them."

"They aren't making fun," Hermione explained. "Don't you see? They're running diversionary tactics, but at the same time showing their support."

"Where are you going?" Harry asked as Hermione abruptly got up from the table.

"I'll be right back," Hermione said, hastening in the direction of the Slytherin House table.

By now, most eyes in the Hall were on Hermione. When she got to the table she stopped behind Kim and Emily and placed her hands on their shoulders. She didn't say a word, just smiled before squeezing their shoulders affectionately. Then she went over to Marta and Becky and squatted down between them. Both girls listened attentively as Hermione spoke briefly to them. Then she gave them both a kiss on the cheek before returning to the staff table.

As Hermione returned to her seat, Marta, tears filling her eyes, turned to Emily. "Do you realize how lucky you are to have her as a mother?"

Emily didn't answer, but instead just nodded her head.

"What was that all about?" Harry asked as Hermione rejoined him.

"I had to tell them how proud I was," Hermione said. "Do you understand just how much nerve it took for Marta and Becky to openly divulge their true feelings? I offered to facilitate when they're ready to tell their parents."

"At least not everyone is treating them as if they have the plague," Harry said, indicating Doris Burke who had just concluded talking to Marta and Becky.

"Doris is a wonderful girl. I'm so glad that Jamie and her have become such good friends," Hermione declared. "It's difficult to believe that her parents were once supporters of Voldemort."

"He's another one," Harry said, indicating Tyler Bancroft, who was now chatting with Becky and Marta. "His parents once ran a death camp for Voldemort and his brother should have been expelled from Hogwarts numerous times. Yet he seems like a great kid."

As Tyler walked past Emily, he touched her shoulder lightly. "I prayed that you'd be safely returned to us," he said quietly before continuing toward his seat.

"Why won't you give him another chance?" Kim beseeched her friend. "He worships the ground you walk on. Plus, he's gorgeous."

Emily gave Kim an angry look, but before she could reply, there was a rushing sound overhead and her attention was drawn to the arrival of a hundred or so owls. The owls circled the hall, dumping letters and packages into the chattering crowd.

Uncharacteristically, the hall suddenly became extremely quiet. Emily looked toward the head table expecting to see the Headmaster standing ready to speak, but instead she saw what had caused everyone in the room to become hushed. There was a large screech owl circling the head table. That was not unusual because the staff received mail regularly. What had gotten everyone's attention was the red envelope clutched in the owl's beak.

"One of the Professors is getting a Howler," Caitlin whispered to her sister.

"I've never seen that before in my seven years," Jamie said aghast. "Who would be so disrespectful as to send a professor a howler when they are surrounded by students?"

"I wonder who it's for?" Caitlin asked, but the words had barely escaped her lips, when the owl came to rest next to the Headmaster and politely offered the letter to him.

Katie and Severus exchanged edgy looks and then Katie did something she had never done before in public. She placed her hand reassuringly on top of Severus'.

"You better open it," she said in an apprehensive whisper. "They only get worse the longer you delay. Best you get it over with."

"Who would be so juvenile and discourteous as to send the Headmaster a Howler?" Hermione asked disgustedly. "And at breakfast, of all times."

"I would be willing to venture a guess," Harry said, a bad taste residing in his mouth, but it looks like we're all about to find out."

Severus stretched out his hand, relieved the envelop from the owl's beak, and slit it open. For a moment it seemed like the envelope had exploded; a roar of sound filled the Great Hall.

"--JUST WHO THE BLOODY HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? --"

Percy Weasley's voice roared, a hundred times louder than normal. The students stared at the head table, as the bellowing voice echoed off the stonewalls of the hall,

"THE STORY THAT APPEARED IN THE DAILY PROPHET DID SO WITH MY APPROVAL. I PERSONALLY VERIFIED ALL THE DETAILS. HOW DARE YOU HAVE THE GALL TO SUGGEST THAT I, THE MINISTER OF MAGIC, WOULD APPROVE A STORY THAT WAS NOT FULLY FACTUAL?

"WHEN I ATTENDED HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY, I CONSIDERED YOU TO BE A PROFESSIONAL, COMPETENT TEACHER. IT IS REGRETFUL THAT YOU HAVE FALLEN VICTIM TO THE LIES OF HARRY POTTER AND HIS MISGUIDED LEGION.

"I AM NOT A SPITEFUL OR VENGEFUL MAN AND UNDERSTAND THAT EVEN THE BEST OF US OCCASIONALLY FALTER. SHOULD YOU, HOWEVER, CONTINUE TO MISLEAD THE STUDENTS OF HOGWARTS, IT WILL BE MY SAD DUTY TO SEEK YOUR DISMISSAL AS HEADMASTER.

Sincerely,
Percy Weasley
Minister of Magic

Snape calmly rose to his feet as the letter burst into flames. "It is at times like these that people, even students as young as yourselves, are required to make choices, tough choices. I propose that you make your future decisions based on past history. When Lord Voldemort returned in the nineteen-nineties and sought to once again rule our world, Harry Potter and former Headmaster Albus Dumbledore attempted to warn the wizarding world. The Ministry and The Daily Prophet disparaged them both. Fortunately, we learned before it was too late who was giving us truthful information. We should learn from history where to place our trust."

Without further comment Snape took his seat. At first, the Great Hall remained quiet. Then as the students rose to their feet in order to head for their first class of the day, the talk became incessant.

* * * * * *

"What if he has you removed as Headmaster?" Katie asked concernedly. "Where will you go? What will you do?" She grasped Severus' hand. "What will become of us?"

"The Ministry has absolutely no authority when it comes to running Hogwarts," Severus said confidently. "Albus Dumbledore took care of that after all the difficulty with Fudge and that vicious Umbridge woman. Only the school Board of Governors can remove the Headmaster and that takes a two-thirds majority."

"But what if he goes to the Board and they agree to remove you?" Katie asked, not convinced that Severus' job was secure.

"As long as I have the support of Harry, Hermione and Ron, I'm not concerned," Severus explained. "There are a lot of new, younger Board members now; they respect the Covenant and won't be easily bamboozled by someone like Percy Weasley. Besides, I doubt he'll even approach them. He won't want to take the chance of looking weak if they refused his request."

"No matter what happens, I'll be by your side," Katie declared.

"I knew I could count on that," Severus replied, with a smile.

* * * * * *

"You never answered my question this morning," Emily said, as she and Kim took seats next to each other for their first 'Anatomy of the Sexes' class. "Has Brian written you at all?"

Kim didn't answer, but instead glowed pink as she held up six fingers.

"He's written you six letters," Emily said excitedly. "You must have really made an impression on him."

"I like him, too," Kim said shyly. "If only he wasn't a Muggle. It makes things so complicated. Even posting him a letter is a pain."

"When are you going to tell Randy?" Emily asked.

"I don't know what to do where he is concerned," Kim said concernedly. "He's really nice and I don't want to hurt him. He lost Caitlin to Matt and you to Tyler. If I break up with him, it will be a nasty blow to his ego. Besides, what are the odds of Brian and I ever even seeing each other again, let alone becoming a couple? He's in the United States and I'm here."

"I understand where you are coming from," Emily said supportively, "but somehow it just seems wrong to leave Randy under the impression that he is the foremost guy in your life when you are writing Brian. How about Brian, does he know about Randy?"

"No," Kim said hanging her head. "I was afraid he'd stop writing if he knew I had a boyfriend."

The girls' conversation was brought to a halt by Ginny bringing the class to order.

"You won't be needing your wands in this class," she said with a smile. "We'll be talking about a different kind of magic; the magic of love, intimacy, conception and birth. Although we will be following the printed guidelines in your textbooks, I want you to feel free to ask questions at any time and I'll do my best to answer them. Since this is our first session together, I think we should get to know each other. Suppose you each stand and introduce yourself. Then ask me a question that has been on your mind. Who wants to start?"

The students all exchanged glances, but no one raised their hand.

"I realize that you're all nervous," Professor Weasley said. "You probably aren't used to discussing sex in a mixed group. Thought was initially given to having separate classes for boys and girls, but the final decision was that you should be taught together. Would anyone like to venture a guess as to why it was decided it was best to instruct you as a mixed group?"

At first no one moved, but then a hand timidly rose. "Yes, Miss Thatcher. What do you think was the reason?"

"We'll all be having sex together, so we should learn about it together," Kim said softly.

"Hopefully not all at once," Ginny said, straight faced.

When the inference of what Ginny had said settled in, the class broke into laughter. Even Kim laughed at her slip.

"That would be called an orgy, and something we hopefully won't be discussing," Professor Weasley said with a laugh as she put her hand on Kim's shoulder. "We all know what you meant, but I appreciate you breaking the tension. We will also be discussing same-sex relationships, but for the moment, let's confine our discussion to heterosexual, or boy/girl relationships."

As the giggles subsided, Emily's hand went in the air.

"Our first question," Ginny said, her voice sounding both pleased and edgy.

"Emily Zacherley-Potter," she said in introduction. "I've been a nudist all my life. That doesn't necessarily give me a heads up when it comes to knowledge about sex, but I probably have seen more naked people than anyone else in the room. I've noticed that some men have extremely large things. What happens if you fall in love with someone and it doesn't fit in your twat when you want to make love?"

When Emily finished her question, every face in the room was red. Not only had Emily jumped directly to the subject of insertion, but she had also brought up the subject of size.

"You believe in getting right to the tough questions, don't you?" Professor Weasley asked. "First things first, men do not have a thing or a dick or a prick. Men and boys have a penis. You do not have a twat or a pussy or a cunt; you have a vagina. I'd prefer if we use the proper terminology in this class.

"I like that you referred to the sex act as making love. It's not necessary to love someone in order to engage in sex, but it makes the results much more gratifying.

"We will be studying the female and male sex organs in detail throughout this course. So, for now I'll only give you a rather quick and concise answer to your question. The vagina is a rather amazing muscular structure. Although it might seem small and tight to you, it can expand and contract rather substantially. Normally, the walls are relaxed and collapsed together. But, during sexual arousal, the inner two-thirds expand. This is why the vagina is sometimes called a 'virtual space.' By the time they reach legal age, most women, during intercourse, can accommodate almost any size penis, including a 12-inch one."

Kim and Emily exchanged horrified glances, neither girl wanting to even imagine anything that large ever being inserted into their body. The boys on the other hand seemed to have gotten extremely quiet. Emily imagined it was because most of them were worried about the size of their own manhood.

Now that Emily had broken the ice, everyone seemed eager to ask questions. She couldn't believe how fast the class had gone when Professor Weasley said, "Your assignment for next week is to read Chapters One and Two. We have time for one more brief question."

Denise's arm shot up into the air. "Professor, this is more a suggestion rather than a question. I've been looking through our textbook and it is rather behind the times. Some of the pictures and charts look about a hundred years old."

Professor Weasley nodded her head in agreement.

"Why don't we take advantage of the fact that we have two nudists in the class?" Denise questioned, seeming serious. "Instead of looking at some ancient charts, wouldn't we all learn more by actually examining Kim or Emily nude? I'm sure it would help me understand my body better and it would be especially educational for the boys. Maybe the two of them would even offer to visit your other classes."

Kim's face immediately turned cherry red. She knew that Denise hated Emily and her, but couldn't believe that even she would suggest something so humiliating?

Emily didn't flinch, but rather studied her professor's facial expression. It looked at first like Professor Weasley might actually be seriously considering Denise's suggestion.

"That's a ridiculous idea," Tyler said without taking time to raise his hand and be recognized. "Even if one of the girls were actually foolish enough to be willing to do it, I'm sure the Board of Governors would never approve. Then, there are their parents and our parents to consider; I seriously doubt many of them would consent. Plus, it would be sexist to only have a female model."

"You could volunteer," Janice suggested. "I know personally that I'd be willing to study late into the night if you were the model."

"Okay! Okay! That's enough!" Ginny shouted. "Denise, you'll be spending tomorrow evening with me in detention. I don't appreciate my class being disrupted. I'm not an idiot, young lady. I know that suggestion was only made to embarrass Emily and Kim. Class dismissed," Ginny proclaimed.

"Can you believe her?" Kim said as she and Emily departed the room. "Suggesting that the class have nude models to study and that you and I volunteer. Talk about crazy off-the-wall ideas."

"She only suggested it in hopes of upsetting us," Emily said. "I really hate to agree with her, but I do think everyone would benefit from being able to study live subjects. No one will learn anything about male and female anatomy from those stupid drawings in the textbook."

"Are you crazy!?" Kim shouted. "The school would never endorse such a thing! What's more, who would be insane enough to volunteer to be a model?"

"No, not as part of a regular class. But if it was part of a special presentation that required written permission from the students' parents to attend; they might perhaps go for it."

"Somehow I doubt my Mum would give me permission," Kim said, laughing as she shook her head. "Besides, like I said, who in their right mind would agree to model?"

"I'd do it," Emily answered matter-of-factly.

Kim stared at Emily, a horrified expression on her face. "You'd be willing to stand naked on a stage while people walked about pointing at you and discussing your various parts?"

"Why not?" Emily asked. "It's no big deal. Although to really do it correctly, the two volunteers should probably both be lying on tables like those Muggle doctors use."

"And I imagine a limited amount of touching should be allowed, too." Emily added. "Wouldn't you like to touch a boy's penis and testicles, just to see what they felt like? I'm sure the boys would want to feel a breast and maybe even touch the inside of the vagina."

"And you could do that?" Kim asked, shaking her head in disbelief. "You could actually lie there as people you don't even know groped and fondled you?"

"Of course not," Emily retorted. "I'm sure the professor would watch carefully and see that no one got carried away. But a certain degree of educational touching should be allowed."

"To a small extent, I can agree with you," Kim finally admitted. "Before I went on holiday with you, I would have found such a display very enlightening. I'd still, admittedly, like to observe a penis at close range and get to feel it, but I'd prefer the models to be people I didn't know."

Kim looked at Emily and then laughed. "Why are we even talking about something so out of the question?"

"Yeah! It could never happen at Hogwarts," Emily agreed.

* * * * *

"Why doesn't the Minister believe you?" Matt asked, as he, Caitlin and Randy headed for the North Tower and their first Divination class.

"Mum says it's all political," Caitlin replied. "Percy Weasley desperately wants the position of Minister of Magic, but is fearful that he will be voted out if people feel our world is in jeopardy."

Randy shook his head. "Power-hungry, bigheaded git!"

"That about sums it up," Caitlin said. "How much further is it to the North Tower? Isn't there some sort of short cut we can take? We won't make a very good impression on Professor Trelawney if we're late."

"Calm down," Randy said. "I don't even understand why you're taking the subject. Aren't you the one that tried to talk Matt and me out of it because your Mum said it was a lot of malarkey? I thought you were going to take Muggle Studies instead."

"Yeah, but then you guys both decided to take it anyway and I wanted to be with you. Besides Mum can teach me anything I need to know about Muggle Studies," Caitlin added.

"I think we're lost," Matt finally admitted, as they stopped next to a painting of a short, squat knight in a suit of armor leaning against a tree as his fat, dapple-gray pony fed on the green grass.

"I've lost all sense of direction. Are we even still heading north?" Randy asked.

"Perchance, are you lost?" The knight inquired. "I am Sir Cadogan, of both noble heart and steely sinew. May I be of assistance?"

"You most certainly may, if you know the way to Professor Trelawney's Room in the North Tower," Caitlin replied.

"A quest! Most certainly I know the way," Sir Cadogan replied. "Follow me lovely princess and noble comrades. Let us be off to seek our goal."

Without warning the knight ran into the left side of the frame and out of sight. "Hurry!" Caitlin yelled. "Don't let him get out of sight!"

"There he goes," Randy yelled as Sir Cadogan ran through a picture ahead.

Finally after running what seemed like a long distance and climbing many spiraling steps, they emerged onto a small landing.

"Farewell!" cried the knight. "Call upon me whenever you are in need."

"Thank you!" Caitlin said as she looked around. There were no doors, but a number of hooks on the wall, many holding robes.

"I think we go up this ladder, Randy offered. "It sounds like most of our class is already up there."

"Hold up a second," Caitlin said as she read the sign above the robes.

Classroom can be extremely warm in September, May and June. Robes are not required.

"I'm keeping mine on," Randy said as he started climbing the ladder.

"Not me. I'm already roasting," Caitlin said, removing her robes and hanging them on an empty hook, then starting up the ladder.

"Likewise," Matt said as he also removed his robes and then began to follow Caitlin up the silvery ladder.

"This is the right place," Caitlin called down to Matt. "Lookup at the brass plaque on the trapdoor."

Matt looked up, but his eye never quite made it to the plaque.

* * * * * *

"Red, have you ever thought about having kids?" Draco asked, ostensibly out of nowhere, as they headed for lunch.

Ginny stopped abruptly and gawked open mouthed at him. Draco normally avoided any words in conversation that started with letters in the middle of the alphabet such as L for love and M for marriage. So, of course, Ginny never expected to ever hear him utter the K word.

"Draco, I come from a large family. Naturally I've thought of having children; not as many as my Mum, of course, but I'd like at least two." Ginny quickly recovered as she kept in mind Draco's usual aversion of any discussion involving marriage. "But it's not something I desperately want," she lied. "I'm content teaching and having you as a lover."

"You like Timmy, don't you?" Draco asked.

"Of course I do," Ginny answered. Suddenly there was concern in her voice. "Draco, please tell me that you're not thinking of trying to take him away from Sam and Ron again."

"No! I couldn't do that," Draco replied despondently. "Sam loves him too much. Besides, she's a great mother. Your git of a brother isn't half bad as a surrogate father either. Plus, they've both been first-rate by allowing me to play an ever-increasing part in Timmy's up bringing. I was more thinking of a kid I could be with from the moment he popped out of the oven."

"Have you given any thought as to how old you want to be when you conceive this progeny?" Ginny asked sheepishly.

"That's the tough part," Draco grumbled. "I don't want to wait until I'm an old fart that can't even straddle a broom anymore to teach his kid how to play Quidditch. Yet, I don't want to toss aside my wild youthful years and settle down with one woman too quickly. Maybe I'll be ready when I'm about twenty-five."

"But you are twenty-five," Ginny said, astonishment apparent in her voice. "Do you have someone in mind to carry your offspring or do you just intend to hire a stand-in mother through the want ads?"

"I have someone in mind," Draco verified, "but I have two major fears."

"What are those?" Ginny asked.

"First I'm concerned about the child's hair," Draco said, seriously. "The woman I have in mind to carry the baby has flaming red hair and my hair is white-blonde. What if the boy ends up with pink hair?"

"The child could be a girl," Ginny exclaimed.

"I still wouldn't want her to have pink hair," Draco declared.

"I doubt that will happen," Ginny said with a laugh. "What is your second concern?"

"I've treated the mother rather badly in the past," Draco replied. "I've taken her for granted, rarely told her how much she actually means to me. I'm not sure if she realizes how much I love her or if she'd even be willing to marry me."

Ginny just gawked at Draco in disbelief. "Are you asking me to marry you?"

"I'm not very good at this romantic stuff," Draco answered. "I've always lived for the day, never thought about the future. The last few weeks have made me rethink my life. Those kids could have been killed. None of us knows when our last day will arrive. I want to be with you and our children before my final day comes."

Draco took Ginny's hand and got down on his knees as curious students rushed past them. "Ginevra Molly Weasley, will you marry me?"

* * * * * *

"Matt is something wrong?" Caitlin inquired as they headed for dinner that evening. "You haven't been acting like your normal self since Divination Class. Don't tell me that you're still upset about what Professor Trelawney said."

"Matt, I'm not going to die!" Caitlin avowed. "Mum says that Professor Trelawney has predicted the death of a student every year since she arrived at the school. None has died yet and I don't intend to be the first."

"That had me worried," Matt admitted. "But I know that Trelawney is a fraud and what she says can't be taken seriously."

Caitlin looked at Matt questioningly. "If it wasn't that, then what has you so upset?"

"We have to talk in private," Matt said as they reached the Charms classroom. He tried the door and found it to be unlocked. "In here, quick," he said, checking to see that no one was watching them.

"Caitlin, I'm sorry," Matt sobbed, turning away from her.

"Sorry? Sorry for what?" she asked, confused. "Matt, did you find another girl this summer? Are you about to break up with me?"

"Break up! No way!" Matt said fervently. "I love you. I want to be with you always."

"I love you, too," Caitlin said, taking Matt's hand and giving him a tender kiss on the cheek. "I don't understand. If it's not what Trelawney said and you don't want to break up, then what has you so troubled?"

Matt hung his head ashamedly. "Caitlin, I feel like some sort of pervert. When we were climbing up the ladder to the Divination classroom…." He hesitated. "Remember how you called out to me to look at the brass plaque."

She nodded her head.

"Well, when I looked up, I ended up seeing up your skirt."

Caitlin blushed slightly. "I'm sorry!" she said, giving him a hug. "I've never seen myself from that view point, but I imagine it's not very photogenic."

"You don't understand," Matt blubbered. "I couldn't take my eyes off you. You're beautiful! Every part of you is beautiful."

Matt lowered his voice as if afraid someone would hear what he was about to say next. He audibly gulped. "By the time we reached the top of that ladder, I wanted to jump on top of you and…you know… do it. I'm sorry, you must think I'm some kind of an animal."

"I think nothing of the sort," Caitlin said, as she held Matt tightly. "You can't imagine how many times I've thought of us being together." She sighed heavily. "But we're only thirteen. The consequences of us having sex are just too dreadful to imagine."

Caitlin bit her lip. "We can't have intercourse, but there are other things my parents do to make each other feel good." A chill went through Caitlin's body. She couldn't believe what she was about to propose; she wasn't even sure she had the guts to actually do it.

"What are you suggesting?" Matt asked.

"Forget I said anything," Caitlin answered fearfully. "It was a bad idea. Besides, I'm not even sure that what I have in mind wouldn't trigger some sort of magical alarm. Maybe it would be best if you just didn't follow me up the ladder any more."

"That's something else I wanted to talk to you about," Matt said, suddenly sounding more angry rather than embarrassed. "I want you to start wearing trousers instead of skirts."

"I beg your pardon?" Caitlin said, not believing what she had just heard Matt say.

"I was originally going to tell you to just start wearing knickers," Matt said, "but I don't fancy boys looking up your skirt and seeing your bare legs either."

Caitlin pulled away from Matt. "I think it might be a good idea if we have a seat," she said motioning to two desks.

Once they were seated, Caitlin looked severely at Matt. "Would you like to rephrase what you just said?"

Matt stared incredulously at Caitlin. "I thought I made it rather clear," Matt said, not understanding what her problem was. "You're my girlfriend and I'm very much in love with you, but I don't want you exposing your privates to the rest of the school. From now on, wear trousers."

Caitlin couldn't believe her ears. She just sat gazing at Matt as her eyes filled with tears. "I'm your girlfriend, not your possession!" she said angrily. "You might give commands to your dog, but I'm not your dog, I'm your equal."

"You're taking what I said and twisting it all around," Matt said self-defensively. "It's just that sometimes you get in positions where you're rather exposed. I don't want other guys checking out my girl's twat and butt." He faltered momentarily. "Maybe you should consider wearing a bra, too. Your nipples were clearly visible through that blouse you had on the other night."

Caitlin sadly shook her had. "Matt, do you remember holding up a skinny, naked eleven-year-old on your shoulders two years ago as she tried to convince all of Gryffindor that Jamie Zacherley should be allowed to practice nudism in the common room?"

Matt nodded his head.

"Do you recall that I remained naked the remainder of that night? You, Randy and I had a grand time. I don't recollect you once telling me to cover myself then and I'm sure you got quite a view when I bobbed for apples."

"You weren't my girlfriend then," Matt insisted.

"No, but I was a nudist. You knew then how I felt about clothes and my stance has never changed. You know me better than most people. I'm not a flirt or an exhibitionist. I don't go without undergarments or clothes to draw attention to myself; I'm just more comfortable that way."

"Matt, since we've been a couple, how many things about yourself have I asked you to change? Caitlin inquired.

After thinking for a few moments, Matt responded, "Nothing."

"That's because I like you the way you are. I wouldn't have said yes to being your girlfriend if there were traits about you I didn't like." Caitlin looked Matt straight in the face. "I'm a nudist. I detest clothes. You knew what I was before we became involved. If you really care for me, you won't ask me to change."

"I'm not asking you to change," Matt insisted. "You can still go to those kinds of places with your parents if you must. I just want you to cover yourself decently here at school."

"Decently," Caitlin repeated. She closed her eyes, and then rubbed her face with her hand. "Matt, I'm going to skip dinner and have a short lie down; I think I'm getting a really bad headache. I'll see you in the common room tonight with my answer." She cupped Matt's face in her hands and kissed his lips hard before turning and leaving.

* * * * * *

"Can you remember the names of anymore of these Death Eaters?" Salazar Slytherin asked. "They sound like the type of people that would readily support me."

Goyle shook his head. "We were just ending our seventh year when He-Who-Must-Not-Be Named was defeated. Many of his followers were killed in battles preceding his demise."

Slytherin paced the room for a few moments in silence, before speaking again. "You will first personally contact all the living former Death Eaters. I want you to offer them the opportunity to unreservedly join me. They should provide us with a strong nucleus."

"What if they refuse?" Crabbe asked anxiously.

"That would be extremely unwise of them," Slytherin sighed. "I would certainly prefer if everyone that joined my cause did so of their own free will, but I'm not beyond offering incentives. People often change their minds when faced with the loss of something or someone they feel great affection for.

"Then we will procure as much information as we can on deceased and imprisoned Death Eaters. Their progeny should be eager to avenge their parents. If not, I will offer them an enticement as well. Thanks to the new Minister of Magic, we should have a sizeable organization assembled before the wizard world is even aware of my reincarnation."

* * * * * *

Jamie grabbed the books off her bed and hurried out of the seventh year girls' dormitory to join Alex and Amanda, who were already in the common room. As she was about to pass the third year dorm, the door opened and Caitlin slowly emerged.

"What are you doing!?" Jamie asked, coming to an abrupt halt.

"I'm about to give Matt an answer," Caitlin answered, trying to hold back her tears.

"No you're not," Jamie barked. "At least not until I know the question."

End of Chapter 10

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As always, I would like to thank those of you who took the time to review. My betas for this chapter were: Alison, Amber, Bluezy, Don, Dove, Lucy, Matt and Peter. Thank you all. If you'd like to be advised of new chapters, get to read them first and in the way they were intended to be read, please consider joining Hogwarts Exposed.