lordy lord does four months fly by, im a piece of shit and im sorry that i cant write the chaps in a reasonable time for y'all, you guys are the best, and i am truly sorry for always taking so damn long. Year 11 is so stressful and so far i only really like two of my subjects which is unfortunate.

Anyways, Thank you to the lovely MasterQwertster for betaing, and i hope you guys enjoy.

School, unfortunately, dulls down and, aside from Umbridge's classes, the teachers worked as efficiently as ever, but it still felt like there had been a shift in dynamics.

Snape was slightly less demeaning and awful to them all, but he was still quick to deduct points for the slightest transgression.

Care of Magical Creatures definitely wasn't as awesome as before, because Hagrid had clearly lost his confidence after the almost accident. Instead, they had first studied the Giant Squid in the lake, who had been happy to surface for them all to study, then moved onto Blast-Ended Skrewts that they weren't supposed to study until next year, but Hagrid obviously made the exception.

So, despite the downgrade, they all loved the lessons because there was always a new creature to be studied.

Dumbledore was seen even less than he already had been, clearly preferring to spend time away from the students, or more likely, Umbridge.

Speaking of, the woman was relentless when it came to their detentions and sooner rather than later, Luffy and Sanji were sporting matching hand scars.

The crew and Hermione had been livid to find out what her detention entailed.

But, there was one thing to look forward to, since the end of October was nearing, Quidditch tryouts were to be announced. Usopp would be trying out for his team.

Sanji had decided against trying out for the Gryffindor side (despite the fact that there were no try-outs this year), despite him swearing up and down that it wasn't because Zoro wouldn't be opposing him.

(Zoro and Nami weren't going to bother the Slytherin team considering they were 100% dicks)

Nami was already planning a betting pool that all of her energy would be focused on.

Brook and Robin were considering it for the next year and Chopper declared that he would be there to fix them up after the games.

Sometimes, just the nine of them would have a quidditch game between them. It's not like they cared about booking the pitch. As long as a team wasn't training there, they could take to the sky, Luffy, Usopp, Chopper and Zoro versus the rest of the crew.

Hell, even Hermione joined in sometimes to make the teams even. Though usually, she's content to just watch from the ground in awe at the rough games.

With a light heart that refuses to be beaten in the face of Umbridge, Luffy makes his way down to the ground of the Quidditch field where Wood appears to be giving his inspirational speech.

"This is our last damn chance – my last chance – to win the Quidditch cup." Wood informs them, striding up and down in front of them determinedly. "I'm leaving at the end of this year – I won't get another chance.

"Gryffindor hasn't won in seven, long, years. Okay, we've had the worst luck in the world; injuries, tournaments getting called off. But we've got the best, bloody, team, in the school." He says, punctuating each word with a fist to the air.

"We've got three superb Chasers." Wood gestures to Alicia, Angelina and Katie.

"Two unbeatable Beaters."

"Oh Oliver, you sly ole dog." Fred and George pretend to blush together.

"And, we've got a bloody epic Seeker who has never failed to win us a match." Oliver finishes, a manic gleam in his eye.

Luffy laughs, they haven't lost a game, and he supposes it's partly his job, but everyone is the best at their positions, "And me, I suppose."

"We think you're great too." Fred says.

"Yeah, a spanking keeper." George adds.

"I can't believe we haven't won it in these past two years."

"Quite frankly, we've had shit luck." Luffy says bluntly.

Oliver nods, "This year's the last year we'll have to see our name on it…" he says dejectedly.

"Don't worry Oliver, we'll win this year." Alicia says.

"Yeah! This is our year!" Luffy grins and pumps his fist.

Full of determination, they begin their training sessions at 3 O'clock, every day.

Because Wood deserves a win, and they're ready and prepared to put their lives on the line for it. And Luffy endures the skin-prickling feeling of dementors lurking around the edges of the school, Usopp believes that they're there for 'protection', at least – as he cynically puts it – the Ministry thinks so.

Whether it's protection for those within or only for the very woman among them has yet to be decided.

The Quidditch sessions are as gruelling as ever though, and they discuss strategy and Luffy smiles because it's fun playing in a team. Usually he'd be pissed that he isn't in charge, but he knows that sometimes it's better to just follow a plan.

He just has to prepare for if something goes wrong so it isn't blamed on him like Nami has a habit of doing.

Naturally, he has to leave for at least a week to go to detention with Umbridge, but it's funny seeing her nose wrinkle slightly as he comes in wearing muddy robes, dripping across her perfectly pink carpets.

"Tch, that bitch can go wither in hell, for all I care." Sanji mutters, ruffling his hair with his hands, he's been very displeased with the treatment of their hands.

"Sanji! Stop using your hands! The scar treatment should get rid of them, but if you don't allow the oil to absorb, then it will be pointless." Chopper admonishes him, tugging on his robe with his hoofs.

Robin cooks for a bit (Nami would have except nobody wants to pay for their meals), or asks the house elves to bring them food. Either way, Sanji has been barred from cooking, as Chopper knows how important his hands are.

Hermione flounces into the mystery room, "Have you seen the notice?"

At the various shrugs she smiles widely, "The first trip to Hogsmeade is on Halloween."

"Seriously?! They put it on Halloween?!" Usopp groans.

At the blank looks he gets, he holds his hand out, "First year, Quirrell lets out a troll on Halloween. Second year, the Chamber of Secrets gets open. Does nobody else see a pattern here?" he groans cynically.

Robin laughs, "I wonder what horrible thing will happen this year."

"The horrible thing's already happened." Brook murmurs darkly, eyes trained on Sanji's hands.

"Hm, I was thinking more along the lines of structural collapse, but she works in the same way I suppose." Robin says with a smile.

"Oh, I forgot to get that signed." Luffy grins.

Chopper frowns, "But you won't be allowed out without one?"

"Who says they'll know?" Luffy laughs.

"There are quite a number of tunnels leading out of here, aren't there?" Brook asks.

"Mhm, it's a good escape route." Usopp adds. "The one that goes to the Honeydukes cellar would be a good supply route too."

"Let's hope we never need them." Nami mutters. "Maybe you should ask McGonagall if you can legally go? Obviously you'll leave even if she says no but it's just the polite thing to do."

"Can't wait to get some more fire-whiskey." Zoro says with an almost dreamy expression.

"You can try, block-head." Sanji laughs nastily.

"Maybe Perona will get me some." Zoro glares back.

"No lady will ever do that for you, leech!" Sanji growls, twisting on the spot. He fires up his leg, and, without blinking, Zoro meets his kick with a hardened sword.

"Anyway, yoho, Usopp, would you care to join me at Zonkos? I hear that the prank shop is the most famous in the world." Brook says, stepping over the two feuding pirates.

Usopp gasps and places a hand over his heart, a tear coming to his eye, "It would be an honour, good sir Brook."

Brook grins and laughs along with the sniper.

"Do you reckon Jinbe would come meet us there?" Luffy asks, tilting his head.

"I'm sure if you asked him he would be down to grab a butterbeer or something." Brook says. "Jinbe is most likely dealing with Fishmen affairs, but like the rest of us, he will always make time for you, Luffy-san."

Luffy grins, "In that case, Ace and Sabo can come too. Let's make it a party!"

"God, why are riddles so difficult." Thatch moans into his hands.

"What do you mean-yoi?" Marco asks in amusement.

"How are we meant to put out our own recall order if we can't even figure out a decent riddle?" Thatch asks.

"Correction, you can't make a decent riddle." Ace says, pointing at the man with a pen.

"Um, excuse me?" Thatch says, looking affronted. "At least I wasn't the one to write 'Meet at my grave at the day of my death'. It's almost like you're copying Luffy, huh?" Thatch taunts.

"It's better than anything you've come up with." Ace huffs, "And that's saying something."

"Um, it was Robin that wrote the news article." Sabo says with a tilt of his head.

"Agree to disagree hot-head." Thatch waves a dismissive hand and resumes chewing the edge of his feathered quill.

Marco sighs. Their silence is interrupted by a buzzing of the ancient phone in the dining room. Immediately, the brothers and companions race into the source of the noise, a small cafluffle over who would answer before Sabo emerges victorious.

"Luffy!" Sighing at Ace's wounded face, he manages to turn the speaker for the phone on.

"Hey Sabo! Ace!" Their little brother's happy voice responds over the line, "So, we wanted to know whether you guys were down to meet us in Hogsmeade for our first trip. It's on Halloween."

Without hesitating Ace replies, "Of course, wouldn't want to miss your first Hogsmeade trip."

"Wait, did you get the note signed?" Sabo asks, a hint of exasperation colouring his tone.

They can hear the pout through the phone… "No…"

"Dumbass." They mutter fondly. "Okay, send it back here, Ace or I will sign it for you and then you can legally go."

"I was planning on going either way shishi. Oh yeah, can you ask Jinbe too? I didn't catch his address." Luffy says and they can both imagine the pout that he makes at that.

"Sure, I'll get Koala on it." Sabo says.

"How's the Umbridge situation-yoi?" Marco asks, speaking for the first time.

"Pineapple-head!" An eyebrow twitches at that comment and Thatch stifles his giggles. "Yeah, well, we're dealing with her I guess," Luffy sounds slightly despondent, it makes their blood boil.

"Well, hang in there until Hogsmeade and we might even have another spar." Sabo says, lips twitching into a small smile.

"Any news of Pettigrew on your end?" Luffy asks bluntly.

Thatch frowns, "No, it seems he's dropped off the grid, not even haki can find him now – especially given how much he knows about haki, he can probably shroud himself to even the most experienced eye."

"Don't worry about it guys, we will find him. Robin and Nami've been doing some crayon cents art." Luffy says proudly.

'Crayon cents art-yoi?' Marco mouths silently.

"Reconnaissance?" Ace asks, head tilted thoughtfully.

"Yeah, that one!"

Sabo shakes his head, "Yeah, Jinbe and Koala have their feelers out too. We'll catch the bastard, and then he'll know true pain."

"Mm."

Suddenly there's a shifting of the phone and Nami's voice sounds through the device, "I'll send you guys the Hogsmeade note, Luffy's owl will get it to you. Send it directly to Professor McGonagall because there's a high chance some," the word was stressed, "of us will lose it, and I would love Luffy to be able to be seen in public. Imagine the things he would do invisible."

The company laugh at the thought, they could imagine it. "Oh think of the meat that would be stolen."

"Meat?" They hear Luffy say in the background and a gruff voice that belongs to Sanji reply that he'd fix him something.

"Anyway, I'll see you guys on Halloween!" Luffy shouts to the receiver.

"See ya, Luffy!" Ace grins.

"Don't get into too much trouble." Sabo adds.

"Course not." Their brother replies cheerfully.

They're left with a tone dial and the imprint of a happy brother on them.

"Damn, that doesn't help me with the recall order." Thatch slouches.

"Just write a damn location, doesn't matter what time of the year." Ace says. "If anyone tries to stop our meeting… well, it's not like we can't protect ourselves."

"Why don't we do it in the middle of Australia? Not like the ministry would be able to detect us. The most we'd get are a few curious emus and maybe a miner but whatever." Thatch says.

Sabo sighs, "Why don't I just get Koala to spread the information along her grape-vine. I know she has contacts everywhere, not that I blame her obviously. But what about those that can't apparate? You guys can't assume that if any Whitebeard pirate reincarnated, they all became wizards or witches." He adds, folding his arms.

"That's true-yoi." Marco concedes, a frown marring his face.

"That's why I suggest Koala spreads the news of… let's say the 'Sprung Suspension Workshop' is holding an event regaling the death of the pirate Whitebeard in the Forest of Dean and if anyone arrives, one of you guys ID them, either in person or by appearance, and apparate to somewhere in Australia. That way you get to check out who shows up and set up adequate protections in the case that something goes south." Sabo rationalises.

"Why the 'Sprung Suspension Workshop'?" Ace asks with an arched eyebrow.

"Owned by a muggle who knows about the Ministry and enough about the magic world and what to do in the case of an emergency. He's Koala's acquaintance." Sabo says with a smile.

"Damn, that woman really does have a network of spies." Thatch mutters, louder, he claps his hands together enthusiastically, "Well guys, plan 'get-the-gang-back-together is officially a-go!"

Ace smiles widely, "I'm glad we're finally doing it after all these years, now with Voldemort on the rise and Pettigrew showing his stupid face out from wherever he was hiding, we need 'em more than ever. And I think I speak for all of us when I say we miss Pops."

"I think that's the most emotion you've ever spoken of at once-yoi." Marco says dryly.

"Shush, it was a beautiful moment and now you've gone and ruined it." Thatch elbows Marco sharply.

Ace blushes and Sabo, without fail or hesitation, withdraws a portable camera and with a snap of his fingers, the blushing moment is caught on film for all to see. "Sabo!"

He sticks out his tongue childishly and races away, mentally deciding where to move his stash of blackmail to because Ace was much more likely to find it the longer he kept it under the loose floorboard in his room.

Later on, he'll call Koala and let her know of the plans.

For now? Ace would kill him if he knew of the extensive photo collection of him that Sabo has.

The night before the Hogsmeade trip, Professor McGonagall calls Luffy up to her office. She sighs, "Take a seat."

He obeys, if only because cat-lady is nice and it's probably because of the permission note that Ace and Sabo sent her, "Your brothers sent me your permission note."

"You got it okay then? I wasn't sure whether Southy would just abandon it." Luffy says was mostly because he was terrible and had been making Suteki send letters rather than Southy.

McGonagall removes her spectacles with a sigh that he hears a lot when he's around her and says, "Usually, we would never allow someone like you out of Hogwarts' premises, but I have made the executive decision that you will be permitted to attend the excursion, provided you are with your friends at all times. Especially considering that this permission note is not technically valid, we will not be bringing this up with Dolores Umbridge at any given stage, do you understand?"

"Stay with my friends and don't tell her and we're cool?" He says, thumbs up.

McGonagall's lips twitch into a smile, "Very, now scamper along and finish that essay on the practical uses of transfiguration."

"Sure." He says with a smile, glad that he will be attending the Hogsmeade visit with the rest of the students and he won't have to sneak out to attend.

Walking back to the mystery room, he's content in the knowledge that the teachers hate Umbridge as much as they all do, and that's a lot, all things considering.

Brook, Chopper, and Usopp vanish into the Thousand Sunny to write a list of ingredients they could use to make Brook the right age for the eventual killing process.

Zoro leans back against one of the wooden logs, eyes closed, basking in the warmth of the fire that seems far too real to simply be a figment of a creative room's thoughts. "Can't wait to see Jinbe." Luffy says, excitement creeping into his voice.

"Mm?" Zoro hums, "Me too, our crew has been split for a while…"

"Fufu, would you look at that?" Robin murmurs softly, gesturing to the cover of the Daily Newspaper.

"Co-ordinates?" Nami questions, tilting her head for a moment, "If I'm right when it comes to these kinds of things-"

"-and we all know you are, Nami-swan!" Sanji interjects.

"-then these are for just outside the forest of Dean." She finishes, ignoring Sanji.

"An odd spot for a recall order." Robin says. "Quite out in the open, nothing like the Koala I know… Unless it's a guise, lead all of the Ministry agents there and the others elsewhere… very complex magic." She shrugs. "If anyone could pull something like that off, it would certainly be that group wouldn't it?"

"That's very true." Nami agrees.

"Well, we'll be able to talk to them about it tomorrow anyway." Zoro adds indifferently, shifting slightly so he can keep all of them in his eye-sight.

"Ah yes, Hogsmeade. I'm quite excited myself to visit the Shrieking Shack." Robin adds. "The history surrounding it is murky at best. There were a few rumours that it was haunted for a while, but they eventually dispersed. I still have no clue as to why it's called the 'Shrieking Shack', none of the books in the library discussed why it was nicknamed that…"

"Man, I just want to see it all, y'know? Hogwarts' grounds are stuffy enough as is." Luffy responds, taking a sip of his hot chocolate that the house elves had brought them.

"Yoho, especially with that woman and the dementors, the school has never felt smaller." Brook adds solemnly, plucking his violin strings.

They laze around the dying fire as the last dregs of sleep slip away from their grasp. Sleep always varied for the crew, and considering the severity of their situation, not even the usual comfort of the mystery room could provide the time to sleep.

Umbridge was foul, she used manipulative games, and she had clearly learnt from the best.

Sighing, Luffy gives up on sleeping for the night and stands, with almost all eyes on the captain he curiously raises an eyebrow, "Quidditch training? I suggested we do more of it, shishi. Fred and George weren't happy."

"Allow me to accompany you?" Robin asks suddenly, rising from her folded position between Nami and Zoro.

Luffy nods, unsure as to why she would but nonetheless he appreciates the company. Truth be told, not even he wants to do early Quidditch, too cold to be flying at great altitudes, and all they do is talk strategy.

"Do you need to go to the dormitory?" Robin asks. He hums in agreement.

"Probably."

"In that case I will meet you there, I'll go grab you some breakfast." Robin says and disappears on the way to the kitchens.

Ducking into the dormitory after 'rudely' awakening the Fat Lady, he grabs the Quidditch gear needed and disappears, only to feel Hermione descend in a way he supposes would be 'stealthy', but her aura is easily distinguishable amongst the other students.

He creeps down into the common room and while he could – in theory – just use Soru to avoid her, it would be both rude and unnecessary. "Hermione?" He asks to the empty room.

She flicks on one of the lamps with a tap of her wand, legs crossed. She almost looks like the perfect picture of a mother ready to scold her daughter for sneaking out, "Luffy."

"What's up?" He asks with an easy grin, belying the unease he feels at the worry in her youthful face.

"Umbridge has been looking for you." She says simply, brow crinkling slightly.

"I see. Do you know why?"

She shrugs, "I have a feeling it's to do with the Hogsmeade trip."

"Ehh, I already had the permission note signed." Luffy sighs gustily.

"Luffy I hate to say it, but I agree with her on the fact that you should stay behind." She raises a hand before he can interrupt. "I know that you and your crew are badasses, okay? That doesn't change the fact that Wormtail has years of knowledge on top of whatever your brothers taught him and if he wanted to catch you guys, it would be hard, yes, but it's possible."

"Hermione." The girl's face snaps to Robin's who flicks her wand to provide Luffy with his breakfast and brings the coffee close to her lips. "We've always been aware of the risks that being with Luffy comes with. Luffy's aware of them as well. It's clear that you're nervous for us – you have every right to be – but we are pirates. With being a pirate comes freedom."

"And we can't be free if we are scaredy cats for our lives." Luffy finishes with a frown, watching Hermione's face pinch in regret.

"Besides, if Wormtail was able to slip past the dementors in Azkaban, then what's the point of worrying? He'll get in here eventually." Robin adds with a small smile, taking a deep sip of her coffee.

Luffy, having practically inhaled the 'meagre' breakfast, tilts his head at Robin in a silent question. At the inclination of her head he turns to Hermione, "See ya, Hermione."

They walk through the hallways, Robin with her coffee and a book tucked under her arm that wasn't there before and Luffy with his mud-crusted Quidditch gear that he sometimes makes Suteki clean, because while it's a simple whispering of words to Suteki, it's also rude to make his wand become his house slave.

He supposes that Robin came because she doesn't want to sit around and he thinks she's a morning person? And besides, she got coffee out of it as well.

Quidditch is gruelling as ever on his mental capacity to listen to someone drone on for an extended period of time.

But, he distracts his mind, only keeping half an ear on the strategy as his eyes track dew droplets that have glazed over icily along the boundaries of the field, either as a result from the colder temperatures or from the dementors is unknown.

Sunlight barely peeks over the horizon, the sky is saturated with the blues of nightfall and the hues of golden dawn, from the forest he can spy little creatures dancing around in the longer glass, he thinks they're Siths? They're pretty to look at though with their little wings of fluttering rainbows, wavy clothes made of the finest blues.

They remind him of the dwarves from Green Bit, he realises with a pang, but even though they're both tiny, that's where the similarities end. These fae are chillingly beautiful, with slanted faces and eyes of glittering intelligence.

Eyes sliding past the fae and the lake where he knows the giant squid resides, he hums a little tune, eyes eventually reaching Robin's from the stand where she is still drinking coffee. He wonders whether she put a refilling charm on it.

"Potter!" He snaps to attention.

"Wood." He says back, a grin stretching his face.

"Have you listened to a word I've said?" He says in a thunderous tone.

"Nope." He replies bluntly with the same grin on his face.

Wood groans in annoyance and throws a hand through his hair in exasperation, "Fred, George, fill him in, if he doesn't listen… I'll take Jordon off the commentary podium."

"No." Fred gasps.

"You wouldn't." George says in the same affronted tone.

"I would." Wood promises gleefully.

"Harry, listen carefully and if you don't-" Fred says dangerously.

"We'll cry on you, you'll be soaked through and get sick-" George continues.

"And then we'll cry some more." Fred adds.

"Shishi okay." He says with the same easy grin.

At 10 o'clock, they meet up, ready for the trip to Hogsmeade. Luffy grins widely in anticipation, new places are always the best! Nobody knows him yet! They won't be expecting him to eat all their meat and overcharge him because of it.

(Not pointing fingers, but Nami knew exactly what she was doing)

Filch peers over them in an overzealous fashion to weed out those determined to enter Hogsmeade without permission notes. Luffy slips through the crowd, retrieving the note from Nami and passing it off to Filch before emerging from the stream of students.

They pass by the gates and he steadfastly ignores the creeping cold settling deep within his bones, clawing around his limbs like an unwelcome friend, making itself at home somewhere in his chest cavity and everything is cold.

Unasked, but very much welcomed, Brook interlaces his warm hand with Luffy's, and just like that, the cold is gone, chased away by the warmth curling up from a pit in his stomach, banishing the darkness and cold as surely and rhythmic as the tune Brook taps along his hand.

He doesn't have to say thank you, the squeeze Brook gives him is enough. Looking around, he can see students shivering at the presence of the dementors and his nakama have formed a circle around him, each with a hand entrenched within their own.

Hermione is shivering, even from within the solid grasp of both Robin and Nami, having been sandwiched by the duo. As if two souls can protect one from the icy sorrow of another.

It's comforting and horrifying to think that the feeling of utter despair and horror had been passed through crowds of this size with the ease of a professional.

It doesn't take a whole lot of time for them to reach the outskirts of Hogsmeade where the land was primarily farming estates and bungalows built into the ground for either aesthetic purposes or to avoid detection from above ground.

Finally, the plains rise with purpose amongst the rolling greens and deadened forests, and from out of a perpetually lingering mist emerges Hogsmeade. It sticks out in the countryside like a magnificent thumb, and while he can already tell that there aren't that many shops in the town, it has a distinctly homely feel. With unconcealed excitement he bounces along the road, dragging Brook along with him, yet when they pass an antiques store, Brook untangles himself and crosses the street.

"Oi, Luffy, anywhere you wanted to go?" Zoro asks, huffing out an icy breath.

"Hm, what about Wonka's?" He asks, glancing at his swordsman.

Zoro huffs again, this time with laughter and smiles, the emotion dances along his face, "Sure, let's go to Honeydukes. Although, I doubt they sell meat flavoured lollies."

He shrugs, "They might."

"Zoro, Luffy!" Nami calls in the tone that says they should listen if they value, well, their valuables.

Zoro arches an eyebrow and casts his gaze back on the remnants of the group, "Meet at the Three Broomsticks in an hour, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Zoro mutters, waving a dismissive hand.

"Sure, see ya soon, Nami!" Luffy calls, a big grin painting his features once more.

Hermione splits away from them and after sternly telling them to stay safe, her figure turns into the post office, and Luffy can imagine the face she'd make when she realised that they were colour-coded.

They walk through the main street of Hogsmeade with an easy gait. Zoro turns to the first pub they see in interest but passes on in disinterest as he names it to be too 'smelly'.

"But Zoro, you smell too." Luffy points out, earning a cuff on his head. "Shishi, man it's cold."

Zoro grins and points out Honeydukes where a steady line of students can already be seen in inside, pushing and shoving to get a term's worth of lollies from the foreign store, "Ah, Harry, I see you got out alright." Fred and George grin at them both easily. "We're gonna meet up with Neville and Ginny in Zonkos, if you want to come with?"

"Nah, we're gonna check Honeydukes and the Shrieking Shack out. But have fun!" Luffy laughs at their best impression of being put-off.

"Alrighty, see you two later!" And they disappear, leaving a trail of mayhem behind them.

"See ya's!" The duo slink into Honeydukes, eyeing the cobwebs of cotton candy and spiders of toffee. "Oh man they have every flavour bertie's beans!" Luffy points out.

"So?" Zoro shrugs.

"That means there has to be a meat flavour." His eyes sparkle in delight as he grabs two of the colourful boxes, wandering around the store he also makes his pick of animal looking treats. He bounds up to the counter and, smiling at the clerk brightly, he dumps his share on the counter.

The clerk sighs and waves a wand, "Your total is 10 galleons." Another wave of the wand and it's bundled nicely into a paper bag. He forks over the money from his pouch of 'allowance' and waits for Zoro as he finally decides on 'instant butterbeer' and a packet of bottles that Luffy reckons are probably alcoholic tasting.

"Hmm, Shrieking Shack?" He asks, thumbing through the lollies and his remaining money.

"Mm." Zoro agrees, walking along unbothered by the throngs of students that eventually thin out the closer they get the Shrieking Shack, and no wonder, it lays on the outskirts of town, a fine layer of snow covering it. It certainly appeared to give off a gothic, paranormal vibe.

The house is decrepit, falling apart from the walls, planks rotten with age and moisture. Overgrown weeds litter the path, the windows of the shack yawn and sag with old age, and he wonders why nobody's decided to try and clean up the place. It wouldn't take a whole lot, just a flick of the wand and some words and bam! Good as new.

Wizards are lazy, he decides, looking at this sad excuse of a house. Though, it would be useful for a meeting place if nobody entered the place for fear of the old ghosts that haunt the property.

"Creepy." Luffy says, eyes roaming over the old house.

"It is, isn't it?" Robin says, appearing from nowhere with a notepad in her hand, scribbled notes adorning the front page. "No-one seems to remember why it is called the 'Shrieking Shack'. A few residents heard loud noises, probably squatters living inside, but according to a bartender, about a decade ago, the place almost burned down, so most people write it off as haunted."

"Interesting." Luffy grins.

"Mm." Robin hums, "Are we ready to meet with the others at the Three Broomsticks?"

"Yeah, unless you wanted to see something else?" Luffy asks Zoro.

"Nah, as long as there's booze, I'll be fine." Zoro grins.

"Alright, let's go then." Luffy says, turning on his heel and striding back towards town.

From the outside, the 'Three Broomsticks' looks like any normal kind of pub you'd find in Britain with a wooden structure and a general air of age about it. As they make it through the doorway though, it becomes clear that it is anything but with an entire class or so of Hogwarts students trying to cram themselves into the booths while the regular patrons try and escape the hordes with as much ease as they can.

He spots his group immediately, situated at three of the regular tables pushed together, they certainly make a sight with Jinbe's hulking frame, the five wizards that seem to be at odds with even the weirdness of most wizard- and witch-kind. Not accounting for the group of students congregating around them.

"Yo, Luffy!" Sabo is the first to see them and stands abruptly, waving a gloved hand.

"Sabo!" His persistent grin widens impossibly, and he launches himself through the foray, landing just in front of the table. "Yo, everyone!"

"Luffy." Jinbe says in his deep voice, an amused smile gracing his features.

Robin and Zoro approach the table, sidling in amongst the Straw Hats, "Another round." Ace calls out to the bartender who sighs, but nonetheless sends one of her waitresses around, arms laden with trays of butterbeer.

"We saw your own recall order." Robin says, a small secret smile on her face.

"Mm, it took too long to make." Thatch moans.

Marco stifles a chuckle at that, "Moron thought he could make a riddle-yoi."

"Tch, like you're any better, bird for brains." Thatch says, hiding his face in his firewhiskey.

Marco inclines his head in mute agreement.

"So, what do you guys think of Hogsmeade?" Koala asks.

"The best place is definitely Zonkos." Usopp says with a grin and promptly tips out his collection of prank items, "We visited with the twins and man, they're in a league of their own, almost to my own level."

"The Shrieking Shack is certainly interesting." Robin says.

"Honeydukes does have meat flavoured lollies." Luffy says with a triumphant grin, sticking his tongue out at Zoro.

The swordsman arches an eyebrow and grins, "Colour me surprised."

"I wouldn't colour you at all, idiot." Sanji says, his visible eyebrow twitching.

"Ehh? What was that, shit-head? I don't speak stupid." Zoro says, cupping a hand around his ear.

"Tch, I'll beat it into you if I have to." Sanji says, as tense as a bowstring, ready to fly.

"Calm it down, idiots. We don't need to be in debt to another pub." Nami says, eyes closed, arms crossed, the perfect picture of peace if you ignored the twitching vein in her forehead and the clenched fists – ready to beat them in their foolishness if needed.

Obediently, Sanji rattles off something about Nami being sexy when she's cross and Zoro mutters something about Nami being a witch.

As he takes a large gulp of butterbeer, he smirks because this is exactly what he'd hoped his life would be like. It would be better, of course, if they were on the high sea, but it can't be helped…

Yet. Maybe one day when Franky visits them, they could get Sunny out of the Mystery Room, even if they have to smash through the old walls of Hogwarts, because once their minds are set on something, there's hardly anything that can hold them back.

"How's the situation at Hogwarts?" Jinbe asks grimly.

"It's as well as one could expect." Brook says in an equally grim tone.

"I hope she doesn't ban Hogsmeade trips." Chopper says with a steady frown on his face.

"She probably will. Not like it matters though, we have ways to get through." Zoro says with a nasty grin.

"That's very true, nothing stops the Straw Hat Pirates, right?" Sabo says cheekily.

"Mhm." Ace nods in agreement.

"Anyways, I didn't really see anywhere around here to have a spar?" Luffy asks curiously.

The marauders share a glance, "Mah, that's because you're not looking in the right place." Thatch says, a knowing glint in his eyes.

Brook's lips peel into a smile, "I've been wanting to challenge you for a while, Thatch-san."

"Mm, me too, Humming Swordsman." Thatch agrees.

"Can we please wait until we reach the spot?" Koala says in a tone that suggests it's not the first time that they've fought out in the open space of Hogsmeade.

"Yeah, yeah, that was only one time." Ace waves his hand dismissively.

"Tch, do you know how long I busted my ass off trying to get you guys out of being expelled for 'excessive property damage'?" Koala asks, livid.

"Hey, don't blame us, wizards are just lazy-yoi." Marco says dryly.

"That's true. Why hasn't anyone tried to clean up the 'Shrieking Shack'?" Nami asks.

Ace shrugs, "Maybe because it's already cleared up?"

Luffy laughs, "Ace, your vision must be going because that is pretty far from being clean."

With the tips of his ears turning red, Ace replies, "Well, maybe it's got a glamour on it, idiot."

"Don't be rude to your brother, Ace. It's got a glamour for a reason." Thatch chides, as if he was a paternal figure.

"Whatever, let's go." Ace finishes the dregs of his firewhiskey and stands.

"Oh yeah, Zoro-kun." Jinbe says, absentmindedly reaching for a package hidden at the small of his back. "This is for you."

"Me?" Zoro asks, surprise colouring his tone.

"Yeah, and the rest of you, but I know how you love your alcohol and considering that the only relatively alcoholic drink Hogwarts provides is butter beer, I figured you'd want something heavier." Jinbe says, also finishing his drink and standing.

The rest of the pirates/revolutionaries stand, turning to follow Ace who has already reached the pub door, "Oi, don't you get away without paying." The bartender says, swinging her way through the crowd.

Sabo has the decency to look sheepish and he hits Ace to do the same, "You're right, that would be rude. What's our bill come to?"

"45 galleons and 5 sickles." She says, glancing at something unseen on her arm.

Ace pats his clothing for his wallet and looks at Sabo sheepishly. Sabo sighs heavily and withdraws his own wallet, "What would you ever do without me?"

"Shut up."

"Shishi, we can pay, can't we Nami?" Luffy turns to Nami, eyes widened imploringly.

Nami sighs, resigned to her fate to forever be paying for the expenses of her captain. "Fine, everyone! Money out."

Obediently, the pirates withdraw their pouches of money, "Nah, don't worry, I've got this one." Jinbe says and Nami happily makes them all put their remaining 'pocket money' away.

"Thank you all, see you again." The bartender says and waves them out.

"I get the feeling she wanted us gone." Koala says, side-eyeing her from a safe distance.

At that, Sanji barks out a laugh, Usopp joining him a moment later, "What? What did I say?"

"Just be glad that Luffy didn't order anything from there." Jinbe says with a light laugh.

"Man, I sure am hungry now." Luffy says, rifling through his paper bag for more treats.

"Don't worry, I prepared for this." Nami says triumphantly, withdrawing a cute little cat purse from somewhere. From there she withdraws baggies of sandwiches, "I figured it would be cheaper to bring along food for you."

Simultaneously, 11 other stomachs growl and Nami sighs, "Yes, I brought a couple for you guys too."

"Yay! Thank you, Nami." Chopper says, happily munching on his own sandwich.

"Yeah, you're the best, Nami." Usopp adds.

Sabo scratches his head, "I'm kinda hungry now too…"

"Worry not, Sabo-kun, for I have also prepared something for you idiots that obviously forgot how hungry you get."

"Wow, what would we ever do without you-yoi?" Marco says deadpan.

"Probably crash and burn." Thatch replies, cheekily blowing a kiss.

"Probably?" Koala mutters in derision.

"Hey, rude, we'd probably last, a week, tops." Sabo says.

"Whatever you say Sabo-kun." Koala snorts.

The group approaches the Shrieking Shack once more and the Marauders jump the fence easily, "Well, you guys obviously can't see how beautiful this place is yet, but trust me, when you get inside, we certainly did a number on it." Ace says proudly.

"Alrighty, I'll take your word for it." Usopp says dubiously.

"Shush now, you." Thatch says and waves a hand, "Well come on, you heard Ace, jump over."

Without much hesitation, they jump the rickety fence, yet as they get closer, suddenly they feel the overwhelming urge to run away. The Marauders turn to them, "Huh, nice to see it still works."

"Come here, Luffy." Sabo urges. He complies and a hand is laid on top of his forehead and, with a muttered utterance, the strange compelling emotion to abandon the Shrieking Shack is banished.

"What was that?" Robin asks, breath shaky.

"That was witchcraft, as in the proper stuff, not the sad version that witches and wizards pretend to use." Jinbe says, equally breathless, either from awe or the inexplicable emotion. "It's been used on Hogwarts to protect it from prying eyes. I never thought that you guys would be able to use it so well."

Ace shrugs, "The Black's may be supporters of Voldemort, but they have good records on just about everything ever. Their library had Sabo in tears of joy."

Sabo smiles unabashedly, "Of course, it's probably the largest source of knowledge in existence aside from the elders of a few species."

"Anyway," Koala says, "these knuckleheads decided that they needed multiple safe houses so we have… hmm… maybe ten across the globe, all similar to this one in the case of an international emergency."

"Damn, that's bloody awesome." Luffy cusses.

"I'll take you guys later on to see the library and maybe the safe houses." Sabo says, brightness in his features.

"I would very much enjoy that, as I am sure Hermione would if she is welcome." Robin says.

"Of course." Ace says automatically. "She's your friend, there's no reason why we wouldn't let her come."

"Let's get inside-yoi." Marco says and brushes past, reaching the door. He taps it with his hand at what seem to be random points, but as the door clicks, Luffy sees the wood burn with the brightness of a pirate flag.

Sanji whistles, clearly impressed by the whole display, "I've only read about that kind of magic, the raw magic said to be used in Merlin's time."

At the looks he gets from the crew he says gruffly, "What? I can read."

Zoro snorts derisively, "Sure you can."

"Shut up, block-head."

"The Malfoy's have quite the collection too, don't they?" Ace says absentmindedly.

"Yeah, I was a well-educated kid." Sanji says bitterly.

"It definitely has its benefits." Ace sighs. "Especially given the social standing. Man, the upper echelons of society were pissed when I was arrested. It definitely gives us an advantage I suppose, having the rich and fortunate on our side."

"I doubt they'd want to associate with you much nowadays." Sabo says.

Ace shrugs, "True, but I can definitely still try every now and again."

Luffy stands, gobsmacked in the hallway, mostly because everything is so clean! The walls are more or less made out of bookshelves and carry an assortment of items, from books to paraphernalia and magical items that he cannot identify, to muggle weapons. The house has it all.

And that's just the hallway. As they progress through the wooden floors, they emerge into a study room with a lush carpet on the floor and a drawing board pressed up against a wall with hundreds of papers on it. From newspaper clippings to profiles of citizens from all countries, the wall is overflowing.

"Come on, through here." Koala directs them into a larger, much more spacious room, and Luffy suddenly wonders if an expansion charm has also been cast on the inside because it appears that a hall like this couldn't just fit inside a shack.

By one wall is a kitchenette area, with a few teacups and a kettle – normal things. A set of ornate chairs with velvet lining adorn the corner near the kitchenette with an abnormally long table to complete the set.

"Okay, you wanted to spar?" Koala asks pleasantly, hands clasped in front of herself.

"I presume it was you then, who almost burned down the shack." Robin says to Ace.

"Hm?" He jerks. "Oh yeah, that was in fourth year, Sabo was being extra annoying that day…"

"Hey! It was exams period, okay? I wanted to do well." Sabo huffs, crossing his arms.

"Yeah, so we fought to let off steam, but it was too much for the shack and well… something that shouldn't have caught on fire, caught on fire and we didn't realise because it was hard to differentiate between what was burning and what wasn't, y'know?"

Marco and Thatch share a laugh, "Pyromaniac-yoi."

"But he's our pyromaniac." Sabo grins and noogies Ace.

"Oi, oi, oi." Ace wrestles out of his brother's grip.

"Time to fight?" Luffy asks, a little too hopefully.

And so they fight. They rip up floorboards, splinter others, burn parts of the floor, destroy the kitchenette at another stage, and in the aftermath of their destruction, the interior reflects that of the exterior.

Yet, it's repaired with a flick of the wand. "That was fun. You're quite the opponent, Thatch-san."

"And you, Humming Swordsman." Thatch replies with an inclination of his head.

"I'm glad we could see you again, Jinbe. Have the doctors of Fishman Island been treating you well?" Chopper demands, sitting him down in one of the chairs. "Well, I better do a full check-up just to be certain."

"There's no need-" Jinbe begins but is forcefully pushed back down.

"Please sit still." Chopper says cheerfully, rummaging through his backpack.

"Okay…" Jinbe acquiesces.

Usopp stifles a grin at the look on Jinbe's face.

"Oh dear." Robin says, glancing at a pocket watch, she snaps the musty book shut with a neat crack. "I believe we're running late."

"Ehh? Are we going to miss the feast?" Luffy perks up immediately.

"I think we already have…" Nami says as she glances at her own watch.

"Nooo!" Luffy moans, "How could we?"

Zoro laughs, "Cheer up, Captain. It's not like you'll starve, the house elves love you too much."

"Very true, Zoro-san." Brook smiles. "Maybe we should still leave so we do not get in trouble?"

"Yeah, probably…" Koala mutters but smiles brightly, "It was awesome seeing you guys!"

"Yeah, when the next visit comes around we'll be sure to take you to the hideouts." Sabo smiles and hugs Luffy tightly. "Ace, get your grouchy arse in here."

Grumbling, Ace joins their hug, "Yeah, yeah, whatever, mum."

"Shut up."

"Shishishi." Luffy laughs at them both.

"Alright, now off with you guys, can't have you getting into too much trouble." Jinbe says, sucking on a lollipop from Chopper.

As soon as they step outside the Shrieking Shack, they're assaulted by the darkness of the descendant sun. The moon and stars, plucked from a thick woollen blanket of clouds, hardly shed any light against the pervading darkness.

"Wait, isn't there a secret passageway back through the Shrieking Shack?" Nami asks with a groan.

"Ah! You're right." Chopper says.

"Oi~!" Luffy cajoles from out front. Marco opens the door with a grumpy expression.

"Why are you guys still here-yoi?"

"Isn't there a secret passageway from the Shrieking Shack back to school?" Usopp asks with an arched eyebrow.

Marco laughs, "Oh yeah, there is."

They pile back inside and crawl through the tiny tunnel leading back to the school, "Probably shoulda walked." Luffy murmurs until finally he sees a shift in the darkness of the tunnel and before long they're piling out underneath the Whomping Willow.

"Ah, Suteki." And just like that, the Whomping Willow is frozen, inches away from Luffy's face.

"Let's go before the charm wears off." Nami says and steps over the lengthy roots.

Luffy pouts, Suteki would never. They make their way back to the school in remarkable time and before they know it, they're sneaking off to the Mystery Room, "There you lot are!" It's Percy, and he hardly sounds impressed. "You've worried a lot of people tonight."

"What happened?" Luffy asks in a serious tone.

"There's been an attack." Percy says. Turning on his heel, he gestures for them to follow.

"An attack?" Sanji asks.

"Yes, the Fat Lady was attacked by a man missing a finger. She identified the man as Peter Pettigrew. Ah, here we are." They happen across the Great Hall, except it's been cleared of the usual grandiose tables. In their place were hundreds of sleeping rolls accompanied by the students of all houses. Only a few teachers remained in place, one being Professor Flitwick.

"You idiots!" He hisses as they approach. "We all thought you were…"

"How did the bastard get in?" Luffy asks in the same tone and Flitwick appears taken aback.

"That is the million-dollar question, Potter. The teachers are conducting a more thorough search of the castle. Only the Gryffindor door and, peculiarly enough, the seventh-floor wall appear to have incurred the wrath of Pettigrew." Flitwick says, they glance at each other, so, he was looking for them. "Now off to bed, you lot."

They sigh, but reach for a cluster of the sleeping-bags, "I doubt he's in the castle anymore." Robin says thoughtfully.

"True, if he's able to fool even the dementors, then there's no doubt that he would have left. He either came to kill us or to make a statement." Sanji agrees.

"Well, if he wanted our attention, he has it." Zoro says grimly, "Luffy, I can't hear him, can you?"

He shakes his head mutely. He wants to tell Ace and Sabo immediately, but how could he? They've probably already apparated back to Grimmauld place and without access to either their phone or Southy, it's highly unlikely that he'll be talking to them any time soon.

"Nonetheless, how is he able to get past dementors?" Usopp asks. "If we knew that, we'd know how to find him."

"It is quite the mystery…" Brook says, twisting in the purple sleeping bag.

"I think we should wait to hear what Dumbledore has to say about the matter." Nami says. "Look, he has to come back at some stage, we might learn something if we stay awake."

So they lay in wait. Teachers swap out, Umbridge is clearly ruffled by the whole encounter, and, well, they're glad, even if it means that that bastard is in Hogwarts.

Around three in the morning, when most students are asleep, Dumbledore checks in to relieve Umbridge of her post, "All is well, Professor?"

"Quite, Umbridge."

"Any sign of him."

"None at all, most of the castle has been searched, but it's not like I expected him to linger. Do you have any theories as to how Pettigrew entered undetected?" Dumbledore asks Umbridge.

"Hmm, just a couple. He must have had inside help to pull this off."

"If you are insinuating that any of the students or staff would help a known killer into the castle, I would advise against it." Dumbledore says pleasantly.

"Of course not."

They hear Snape return, "Have you finished the search, Severus?"

"Quite." He replies curtly. "No sign of him."

Dumbledore sighs. "Well, there's no point moving them now. I will inform the dementors."

As their footsteps recede Luffy rolls over to Zoro, "They have no ideas either."

"Appears so." Zoro hums.

"Oh well, it's not like Pettigrew is that strong, right?"

"Of course not, captain. He doesn't have the spine."

With those last words, the crew finally sleep with the knowledge that Pettigrew would show his face again.