Silver Light and Scandals
Thanks to the recent deaths of the two women in Hogsmeade, the number of Dementors had increased both around Hogwarts and in the village. The Minister for Magic seemed to be in crisis, while the newspapers continued to fill their front pages with alarming headlines quoting Fudge.
Even the most sensationalist editions led with phrases such as:
Peter Pettigrew, the former follower who wants to become the new Dark Lord.
Harry Potter in danger.
Who helped Peter Pettigrew escape?
Minister for Magic on the verge of declaring martial law to capture him.
Is Hogwarts still a safe place?
The castle's corridors were filled with nervous whispers. The tension could be felt everywhere; even the air seemed colder and heavier. The Dementors, who patrolled nearby, occasionally drifted too close to the castle windows, causing an empty, hollow sensation in the chests of those who saw them.
It was as though happiness itself was slipping away from the place.
First-year students were the most affected. Many of them—Muggle-borns or half-bloods—had arrived at Hogwarts full of dreams, expecting a magical life filled with wonder. But now they found themselves in a castle that felt more like a prison, surrounded by creatures that devoured hope, and with a presumed murderer lurking beyond the walls. It was hardly the warm welcome they had imagined to the wizarding world.
Amid that grim atmosphere, one figure stood out with a different kind of radiance: Selene Greengrass.
She was often seen walking through the corridors, offering help to first-year students with a warm smile and soothing words. Her presence radiated calm; she spoke softly but with the firm tone of a mother protecting everyone equally.
On more than one occasion, Selene cast her Patronus to relieve the invisible weight the Dementors placed upon the children.
From her wand emerged a silver swan, majestic, fluttering around the students and spreading a gentle light that brought color back to their faces. Laughter would return for a brief moment, and a sense of safety flowed through the corridor like a refreshing breeze.
It wasn't long before several students began asking her to teach them the spell. Selene, with her usual patience, agreed without hesitation. Her impromptu Expecto Patronum lessons became a small legend among the younger students, and little by little, the castle's atmosphere began to feel lighter.
Her arrival had brought a breath of fresh air to Hogwarts. She easily won the affection of the students, as well as that of several teachers like Flitwick and Sprout, who seemed to enjoy her company. Snape, on the other hand, did everything possible to vanish whenever he saw her coming.
Because of that, Selene became surprisingly popular among the Gryffindor students, who saw in her a protective and approachable figure.
Meanwhile, Daphne watched her mother from a balcony, surrounded by a group of first-years who followed her through the halls like ducklings trailing their mother goose. Among them, she spotted Luna and Astoria, laughing happily as the silver swan twirled above their heads.
Daphne frowned, crossing her arms.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked, noticing her expression.
"I have a feeling my mother is planning something…" Daphne sighed. She knew her mother too well; that calm smile was usually a warning sign.
Hermione looked in the same direction. Selene walked with natural grace, speaking to the children and smiling sweetly.
Though Hermione didn't know her as well as Daphne did, she had spent enough time with her during childhood. In fact, both she and Harry, as well as Draco and Luna, used to call her "Aunt Selene." They had grown up seeing her alongside their parents and uncles, and they knew perfectly well that behind that serene demeanor hid a rather dangerous sense of humor.
Hermione frowned as well.
"Yes… there's something suspicious about that smile," she murmured, watching her carefully.
Selene seemed to feel their gazes. She lifted her hand and waved at them with a kind smile. In the other hand, however, she held something partly hidden beneath her cloak—a very familiar camera.
It was the same camera Wanda had used during her time at Beauxbatons, the one she used to take embarrassing pictures at the least opportune moments.
Apparently, Selene had inherited the tradition… and judging by the small notebook sticking out of her bag, she even had a list of "requests" from the other mothers.
Daphne placed a hand over her face in resignation.
"I knew it…" she muttered.
As they had once said, adults could be incredibly childish when it came to their children.
"Girls, I found something that might help!" Fleur exclaimed, hurrying toward them. She carried a thick law book in her hands and wore a triumphant smile.
"Really?" Hermione asked, stepping closer with Daphne to look at the page Fleur was pointing to excitedly.
"Brilliant! Hagrid might actually get off the hook—and Buckbeak too," Hermione said with sudden joy. She grabbed the book and, without wasting a second, dashed toward the half-giant's hut.
Fleur and Daphne followed right behind her.
…
Meanwhile, Harry emerged from a secret hatch hidden behind a large portrait beside the main door of the corridor leading to the bridge of the west wing. The painting closed behind him with a soft click, concealing the passageway as if it had never existed.
Just then, a Ravenclaw student came running from the other end of the hall. She was impossible not to recognize: Cho Chang, Seeker for Ravenclaw's Quidditch team, well-known among her housemates both for her skill and for her graceful Eastern beauty. She seemed in a hurry and nearly ran straight into Harry.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, stopping abruptly and bowing her head slightly in apology.
"It's fine, nothing happened," Harry replied calmly, giving a small nod before turning to continue on his way.
"Wait, Potter!" Cho called quickly as she saw him walking off so easily.
Harry stopped, raising an eyebrow before turning around. "What is it?"
Cho hesitated for a few seconds, looking a bit nervous under his direct gaze.
"Uh… well, today's the Quidditch match between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor," she explained with a small smile.
"Yes, I think I heard about that," Harry said, touching his chin thoughtfully.
"Will you come to watch me—I mean, us?" she corrected herself quickly, blushing. "After all, you're in Ravenclaw, and I don't think I've ever seen you in the stands."
She paused briefly before adding, almost stumbling over her words, "Uh, not you or your friends, of course."
Harry looked at her for a moment, his expression calm yet curious.
"Well, when you put it that way, we really haven't gone to any match," he admitted. Then he nodded with a faint smile. "I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea to support our team, right? After all, we're in the same house."
"So you'll come?" Cho asked, her smile brightening. "I mean, you all will?" she corrected again, clearly nervous.
"Sure. Maybe some fresh air will do me good after spending so much time indoors," Harry said with a slight smile, returning her kindness.
Cho seemed to hold back an excited squeal. "Perfect! Then I'll go get ready. See you at the pitch—uh, I mean, at the match. There."
Her words tumbled over one another, and before Harry could respond, she hurried down the hall with a mix of nerves and excitement.
Harry watched her go, raising an eyebrow before shaking his head in amused resignation.
"Well, that was… unexpected," he murmured to himself.
Then he felt three pairs of eyes fixed on him. Turning toward the door, what he saw almost made him sigh on the spot.
Peeking from the doorway were Selene, Luna, and Astoria, all wearing knowing smiles, watching him as if they had just witnessed a monumental moment in his love life. They looked like three proud mothers watching their chick take its first steps. And to make matters worse, Selene was holding a camera that Harry immediately recognized—the same one his mother, Wanda, used to take pictures of him in the most embarrassing situations possible.
Harry pressed his lips together. He could have said many things to clarify the situation before any wrong ideas took root… but he knew his Aunt Selene far too well. Any word from him would instantly become material for legendary gossip.
And with Wanda's camera in her hands, he knew there was no escape.
So he simply sighed and decided to walk away quickly without saying anything.
It might not have been the best strategy—after all, silence implies consent—but at that moment, it was the only sensible choice.
"I'm a victim of my own charm," he muttered with a small, ironic smile as he walked down the corridor in search of his friends.
He didn't yet know that this simple conversation would bring several days of awkwardness, curious stares, and relentless rumors.
Perhaps, he thought later, if he hadn't accepted that invitation at that very moment… he might have had a much quieter year.