The following morning at breakfast, Rosie noticed that the Great Hall was particularly empty. Most of the students who had suffered the snake tattoo prank were not at their tables. If the tattoos were anything like Sirius's project, then the ghastly images would be expected to disappear by this evening. It seemed that the teachers had been unable to remove the tattoos on their own. The mood was subdued and troubled, and when the owls came swooping in, carrying mail and the paper, it did nothing to enliven the disquieting atmosphere. Unsurprisingly, word had been leaked to the Daily Prophet. Undoubtedly, last evening's events had resulted in a flurry of worried students sending letters home to their parents.
Rosie found herself wondering if this incident would result in more students being pulled from the school. If she herself had been victim to the prank, would she want to stay? She thought that in all likelihood, her sense of safety would have been shaken. If she were covered in ghastly 'bloodstains' and wriggling snakes, and felt like the target of an act of political hatred, she probably would have wanted to go home and bury herself in Padfoot's soft, reassuring coat of fur. Sirius himself might not have been the most comforting and reassuring guardian, but Snuffles could always be counted on for a good cuddle. She definitely needed to contact Sirius in the mirror later.
She looked over at Sakiko and Edine across the table, each of whom were holding one end of the newspaper, their heads buried in the body of the article. The front page headlines shouted: PRANK AT HOGWARTS INSPIRES TERROR. HAS THE HEADMASTER LOST CONTROL? Beneath that was a picture of one of the students - a first year Gryffindor. What was her name again? Maisie Carter. That was it. When did they even have time to take this photo? In fact, who took the photo?
The photo itself was incredibly haunting. In the moving picture, you could see the snakes writhing up and down Maisie's arms, and occasionally across her face. She looked like she was dripping trails of inky-dark blood. Maisie kept peeking frightened glances up at the camera. Her expression was wide-eyed and haunted. Her lower lip was trembling. The eleven year old girl somehow looked like she could be no more than eight in the photo. Though Rosie had witnessed the prank first hand, there was something incredibly gut-wrenching about Maisie's picture - it was a photo taken for maximum impact, certain to rile the masses into a frothing panicked rage.
Though the Great Hall was relatively empty, she was aware of soft, frightened susurrations all around her. Gone was the normal cheerful hum of chatter, and in its place was uncertainty and insecurity. Neither Harry, Neville nor Hermione were at the Gryffindor table. In fact, almost nobody was at the Gryffindor table at all.
Rosie turned to face Luna. "Do you think you're dad will pull you out of the school?" she asked her friend. Luna had received a letter from her father, and had just finished reading it. Luna's calm gaze met Rosie's uncertain one.
"Daddy is worried - but I want to stay," Luna replied in her light voice. Though her tone had the same dreamy quality as ever, her expression was serious.
"Will he make you leave?" Rosie asked, and though it was selfish, she did not want to lose her friend's company.
Luna shook her head. "He knows this is bad business, but he trusts in Professor Dumbledore."
Rosie looked up towards the Head Table. The teaches all looked particularly solemn. There was no twinkle in Professor Dumbledore's eyes. Professor Snape's expression was completely unreadable. Even Professor Lockhart seemed to sense that his usual blustering would be unwelcome. Professor McGonagall wasn't even at the table - in all likelihood, she was with the majority of the Gryffindors. She wondered how they were faring. Were they afraid? Gryffindors were known for their bravery. Perhaps they were busy plotting vengeance then, assuming they knew who the guilty party was. Or perhaps they didn't need to know - perhaps they saw the snakes, and that was answer enough to point to one House, and one House alone. If this situation was not diffused, then this could potentially mean all out war between the Gryffindors and Slytherins. Rosie suddenly and desperately hoped that Professor McGonagall was able to keep the lions' heads on their shoulders.
"Things could get bad," Rosie murmured, unable to refrain from furrowing her brow.
"Sometimes, it takes bad things happening to before you really know what you're supposed to do," Luna responded. "In darkness, light shines much more brightly." Rosie looked back at Luna.
"I hope I figure out what to do. Right now, it all just seems like a mess." In response, Luna only smiled mysteriously.
Their first class of the day was Charms with the Gryffindors. Several of the Gryffindors had showed up, but a large number of them were missing from class. Professor Flitwick wasn't his usually, good-humoured self, but considering the circumstances, it was appropriate. Rather than learning anything new, he set them on practicing the Incendio charm. It was evident that none of the Gryffindors would be able to concentrate on any new material.
As for the Ravenclaws, though they were always ready to learn, most of them were distracted by the recent prank. Speculations were flying, as usual: Was it related to the Chamber of Secrets and the Heir? Was it a completely separate incident? Were Death Eaters somehow behind it? There were also the few students who were fascinated by how the tattoo itself was created. What charms were behind it? How did it activate all at once? How did the prank discriminate between targets? Who in the school had the talent and ability to create such a sophisticated prank? The questions left Rosie squirming in her seat with discomfort.
The next class of the day was Potions. Naturally, Professor Snape had no sympathy at all for the rattled emotion state of the students. They were immediate set to work on the Burning Bitterroot Balm. At this point, Romulus was no longer coming to Snape's first year classes - he was working entirely independently, with the aid of the potions professor. Rosie was at her workstation alone, but she had no desire to socialize. As it was, it took all her effort to focus on the task at hand. Fortunately, she wasn't the only student who was lacking in concentration, and Professor Snape's ire was directed elsewhere, leaving her to think in peace.
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Severus was not proud to admit that yesterday's events had left him shaken. One would think that as a teacher, he would have learned to have some degree of mental and emotional immunity towards any half-witted campaign of mischief that any student could think up. However, yesterday's 'prank,' if it could even be called that skirted a little too close to his experiences of Death Eater entertainment. True, the blood wasn't real, and the screams were not screams of pain, but they had still been screams of terror and cries of helplessness.
He had been in shock from the first few panicked screams, but fortunately, his instincts from years of being a spy had kicked in before his mental faculties had caught up. He had been on his feet, wand out and ready, scanning the hysterical crowds for the culprits, hoping to not see any of the ghastly Death Eater masks, but also knowing that hope was often futile. His energy would be better spent on battle-readiness and strategic thinking than on hope. It wouldn't do to start throwing curses in a room packed full of distraught children. In this case, however, there had been no rogue Death Eaters, come to terrorize the students. He had felt a brief moment of relief - at least the school's protection had held. The idea of such a threat entering school grounds without any of the staff having any warning made his blood run cold.
The students were in a state of hysteria. He could hear Minerva trying to call for order though her efforts were ineffectual. Filius Flitwick could be heard murmuring, "oh dear, oh dear, oh dear" whilst Gilderoy, that useless lump, was hiding behind his pudding. Whatever was happening, the Gryffindor table seemed to be the worst affected. Many of the students there were frantically rubbing at their skin, as though they had suddenly been infected by a bad case of Rattlemite Rash. Was there some kind of spontaneous disease affecting the student body? It hadn't even occurred to him that what was happening might be a prank. As upsetting as pranks might be to the victims, usually pranks were also met with laughter. He could hear no laughter over the screams.
He looked over at his snakes filled with concern, but what he saw made eyes narrow. The Slytherins were curiously calm. No - more than calm - some of them looked downright gleeful. Draco, the spoiled little scion of the noble house of Malfoy looked as though both Christmas and his birthday had come early. The boy's grey eyes were positively shining with rapturous delight. Unknowingly, a growl escaped Severus's lips. Could the little twit be more any more obvious?
Whatever was going on, it likely wasn't serious enough to do the other students any permanent damage, and some of Severus's tension melted, though his anger remained. Draco could be a spiteful little brat, but he wasn't stupid enough to do something that could get him expelled. Though based on the other student's frenzied state, Severus wasn't so sure. At least as a Slytherin, one could hope that the boy had hidden the evidence of his misdeeds. Lucius Malfoy would string him up alive using hooks through his feet if anything were to happen to his precious little heir.
Severus's eyes scanned the rest of the Slytherins. He frowned when he saw one of his older students, Byron Miller, looking like someone had artfully covered him in blood by pouring it out from a gravy boat, all over his face and arms. The boy showed no indications of pain. Fake blood then. And what was that wriggling all over him? Snakes? Merlin's balls - any hope that he had that this little incident wouldn't be pinned on the Slytherins went flying out the window.
Albus's voice suddenly rang out over the Great Hall, silencing the cries and screams. The Headmaster's quick eyes had missed nothing - he announced that it was just a prank, and had the prefects take the hysterical students back to their common rooms. Like well trained crups, the students grouped together, and quietly filed out. Minerva was following her precious Gryffindors, as protective as a mother bear.
Albus Dumbledore shared a look with Severus, Pomona Sprout and Filius Flitwick. His expression was grave, and he had given Severus an extra-long glance - as though this were somehow his fault. Severus felt a vein pop in his forehead.
"Follow your students back to their rooms. Reassure them that this is nothing serious, that it is just a prank, and see if you can find out what they know. We will meet at my office to discuss this once the students are settled for the night," Albus informed them, without the customary twinkle in his eye. His expression seemed especially troubled when his eyes met with Severus's. Severus was not looking forward to the rest of this evening - either the talk with his students, or the talk with the headmaster.
Severus's mood did not cool as he made his way from the Great Hall down to the dungeons. If anything, his hands were balled up in tight fists, and he could imagine himself strangling the foolish little snakes that caused this night's mayhem. Severus's cloak billowed behind him dramatically as he swept past the stone wall in the dungeon into the Slytherin common room. The greenish glow of the room, made many of the students seem paler than they were. He noticed that the chatter had immediately desisted once all eyes were on him. Evidently, the snakes had not been in a subdued mood, like the rest of the Houses most likely were. Severus let the silence sit and grow heavy, and some of the students shifted nervously beneath his penetrating gaze.
How to begin. Severus's eyes rested on Draco. The boy was sitting in one of the sofas, flanked by Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. Draco's expression was smug - the boy practically oozed with self-satisfaction, but when Severus's black eyes met the grey ones, Draco began to squirm uneasily.
"I was told by the headmaster to reassure you, but it seems evident to me that based on your behaviour, such a thing is unnecessary." Severus kept his voice soft, and many of the students had to lean in to hear him. "I was also told to try and discover what any of you may know of tonight's events." Severus's eyes swept across the room, and many of his students looked away, unable to meet his stare. Draco was almost pouting, and he kept his gaze towards one of the windows that looked out into the lake bottom. The boy was too proud to look downwards. Such a thing would have been beneath him.
"Slytherins are known for their cunning and cleverness. Slytherins think before they act. As Slytherins, we take pride in who we are, and we stick to together, united against all who seek to do us harm." Severus's voice was silky and soft, like the quiet slithering of a snake before it readied itself for a strike. "So I find myself wondering, is it even possible that one or, Merlin forbid, several of my snakes would would be so foolish as to prank the student body with the image of a snake? Could any of my Slytherins be such a complete Twit so as to turn the antagonizing gaze of the entire school on this noble House? Are there truly Slytherins with so little subtlety?" Severus's black eyes seem to glitter coldly. Numerous students were starting to look guilty.
"Well? What do you have to say for yourselves?"
"There's no proof that it was any of us," Draco finally said, with a petulant note in his voice.
"It could have been one of the other houses, trying to set us up," Astrid added, flicking a look towards Draco before looking back at Snape. The girl tried to keep her expression neutral but Severus could read her like a book. It was evident that the young first year looked up to the Malfoy scion. He knew that proud little Astrid Rowle was very particular about who was worthy of her company. Only the purest purebloods would do. Evidently, Draco was the cream of the crop.
Severus narrowed his eyes at Astrid, who looked away, with a flush pinkening her cheeks. He turned his gaze towards Draco, and to the boy's credit, Draco maintained eye contact, though Severus noted the way that the boy gripped the edge of the sofa, betraying his tension.
"I should hope that there's no proof. If I should discover such a thing, the consequences will be grave. Your parents will be the least of your worries." Severus was pleased to see that several of the Slytherins paled. It was imperative that they know how serious the situation was. "Hopefully, that is the last lecture I have to give you on Slytherin values. Do not disappoint me again."
Satisfied that his House was reasonably cowed, Severus turned his eyes to Byron Miller, the only Slytherin afflicted with the prank. "Mr. Miller. Come with me." The older Slytherin looked up at Severus nervously, before falling into step with the departing Head of House.
Through several twists and turns in the dark dungeons, Severus led Byron Miller towards his office. He opened the door, and gestured the boy in before closing the door behind him. Severus examined Byron closely. It was difficult, trying to read the boy's expressions when his face looked like it was dripping blood and covered with undulating snakes. He was aware that Byron was one of the few half-bloods in the house and that he struggled to fit in. Byron's posture was tense, and he looked as though he were attempting to bottle up too many feelings at once.
Severus walked up to the boy, closing the gap between them. Byron did not meet his eyes, but neither did he back away.
"May I?" Severus asked, holding out his hand. Byron looked up at the professor, startled. The Head of House was looking at Byron's arm, which was as bloody-looking and wriggly as his face. Looking down at his own arm, Byron held it out for the Professor to see. With surprising gentleness, the Professor lifted up Byron's arms, his eyes examining the serpentine movements of the tattoo.
"This is a sophisticated piece of work," Severus murmured. "Not the sort of thing a second year is capable of creating on his own." Severus released Byron's arm and looked down at the boy. Though Byron was tall for his age, Severus was taller still.
"Are you alright, Mr. Miller?" Severus asked. Byron's eyes widened in surprise. While the Slytherin Head of House did favour the Slytherins, and always looked out for them, he was also not the sort to enquire about softer things such as feelings. Nervously, Byron nodded, and his ears pinkened, though it was nearly impossible to see, due to the tattoo.
"Is there anything you wish to share about tonight's events?" Severus asked gently. Byron looked up nervously at the Professor before looking away and shaking his head. Severus had expected as much. Even when a snake was ostracised by the others, they would never rat out their peers. In some ways, it was good to show house loyalty, but in many other ways, it created problems of its own.
Severus sighed. Walking over to one of the cupboards, he pulled out a Calming Draught and handed it to Byron. "Drink," Severus ordered. The boy took the vial, and upended the liquid down his throat, grimacing slightly at the bitter herbal taste.
"Thank you, sir," Byron murmured, handing back the empty vial. Severus nodded.
"I trust you can make your way back to the common room on your own?" Severus asked.
"Yes, sir," Byron replied. Much of the tension seemed to have melted from the boy's body. Byron was heading towards the door of the office, about to open it, when Severus spoke.
"Mr. Miller." Byron turned around and faced the Head of House with an inquisitive expression.
"If - that is -" Severus shifted uncomfortably with embarrassment. "If you are in need of someone to speak to, you may come and speak to me. I know how difficult it can be to be a half-blood in a House full of purebloods." Byron's eyes widened in surprise. His ears were pretty much burning at this point.
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," Byron replied nervously. "Good night, sir." The professor nodded his head towards the boy, and Byron pulled open the office door to leave. When Byron was gone, Severus heaved a deep sigh. Now, to face the Headmaster.
Severus made his way to the third floor where the Headmaster's office was located. Once he was in front of the ugly gargoyle statue, he said the password ("Pear drops" - candy names never sounded quite right, coming from his lips) and stood on the circular moving stone staircase. Minerva, Filius and Pomona, all the other Heads of Houses were already waiting in the large round office. Albus was sitting at the immense, claw-footed desk, his expression grim.
The eyes of the other Heads of Houses seemed accusing, but Severus had a habit of expecting the worst. Minerva's lips were pursed, Pomona looked troubled, and Filius seemed conflicted.
"Severus," Albus said by way of greeting. Severus nodded and strode up to the desk, joining the other teachers.
"What have you gathered from this night's events?" the Headmaster asked the group.
"It was a horrible, malicious attack," Minerva replied vehemently. "Many of my students are distraught. I wouldn't be surprised if a number of them chose to go home rather than stay at Hogwarts. They no longer feel safe, Albus! It's terrible."
"It was a sophisticated prank," Filius Flitwick added. "I cannot imagine any of the lower level students being responsible for it. And considering the extent, it may very well have been a group of students planning the prank, rather than just one."
"Filius is right," Severus said in a silky drawl. "I examined the - markings rather closely. Very few students would be capable of such a thing, and those that are capable would have likely spent months or more in the planning of it."
"Are you suggesting that someone planned this prank since the beginning of the school year?" Pomona Sprout asked, shocked.
"I am not suggesting anything. Merely that the situation may be more than it seems," Severus replied.
"And what more could it be?" Pomona asked. "Surely - surely nothing related to the Heir and the Chamber of Secrets?" Pomona's expression held a hint of fear, not for herself, but for the harm that could potentially befall her beloved Hufflepuffs.
"We can't rule it out," Filius said. "But it could also have been a group of students wanting to take advantage of the fear, thinking to have a little fun - ah - not that it was fun of course, but the students can so often misjudge the consequences of their actions. The common link between the events on Hallowe'en and the events this evening is the association with Salazar Slytherin - that is to say, the Chamber of Secrets was built by Salazar, and Salazar is known for having an affinity to snakes. Not to mention, his disdain for muggles and muggleborns."
"Snakes indeed!" Minerva said, glaring at Severus.
"What are you trying to imply, Minerva?" Severus asked coldly.
"Just that-" Albus Dumbledore held up his hands and cut Minerva off.
"Now, now. It's not the time to be making accusations. Not when we have so little evidence," Albus said, trying to keep the two teachers from being at each other's throats.
"What do you suggest we do then? Use Legilimency on the students? Veritaserum?" Severus asked with a bitter edge of irony in his voice. Dumbledore might play the kindly mediator, but Severus knew that the headmaster had a strong preference for the Gryffindors over the Slytherins. Not to mention the Headmaster's manipulative tendencies. It was up to Severus to protect his House, as best as he could. The Slytherins didn't need to be antagonized more than they already were.
"Nothing so drastic!" Albus responded. "Only that, with so extensive a prank, whoever is responsible is likely to slip up at some point. We need only observe the students carefully. They are young witches and wizards afterall. Considering the sophistication of the prank, the allure of bragging would surely be irresistible."
Both Minerva McGonagall and Severus were frowning at the Headmaster. But both of them also knew that the issue was unlikely to be resolved this night. With little more to say, the Headmaster soon dismissed the Heads of House, and Severus found himself with more questions than ever before.
It was rather unfortunate that the following day was still a school day. Severus would have liked to throw himself into a book, and learn all he could about the makings of the snake bite prank. Instead, he was stuck teaching potions to a hopeless group of dunderheads. Well, admittedly, they weren't all bad, but the incompetent ones really made Severus wish that there was a remedial potions class taught by someone other than him. Though in truth, such a person would likely have been long dead from all the potions accidents that they would have to endure.
As his first year class, consisting of Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, filed into the classroom, Severus's eyes alighted upon Primrose Potter, and it occurred to him that this would be the perfect time to ask her about her brother. The issue had been on his mind for a while, but he previously had no reason to approach the girl about her brother's behaviour. With the recent prank, asking about Harry would seem perfectly normal. Severus didn't think Harry was actually capable of the prank, but he had no hesitation about taking advantage of the situation. It was just that Severus still found himself disturbed by the boy's drastic change in personality - first from his usual fearful self to some sort of intelligent, monotoned glassy-eyed shell-of-a-wizard, to finally this most recent incarnation of unusual self-assurance. Severus wasn't sure what to make of it. If Potter actually started making eye-contact, he would have called it arrogance and conceit, but the boy somehow maintained his humble demeanour. Snape scoffed in annoyance.
Severus wanted to have a reason to be mad at Potter. It sounded petty, but it was true. He wanted to take the brat down a notch, and yet, the boy never seemed to do anything wrong anymore. As usual, Potter answered questions correctly in class. His potions turned out better than adequate. He never made eye contact with Severus, and he never made a scene of himself like the ridiculous know-it-all Miss Granger. Potter's hair seemed almost tidier, and his clothes were clean and neat. The boy was never anything less than polite, and he somehow even avoided conflict with his classmates. While Snape would have loved to spend his day raining invectives upon the boy's head, he could no longer do so without looking like a completely irrational madman with a personal grudge against a twelve year old boy. Even if he did actually have an irrational grudge against said twelve year old boy.
Thus, after the first years finished the class and submitted their Burning Bitterroot Balm, Severus called out, "Miss Potter. Please stay after class." The other students gave Primrose a sympathetic glance, and even Primrose seemed momentarily startled by the request, but she quickly schooled her features into a calm blankness. Severus could not help but get the impression that she would have a natural talent for Occlumency.
While the rest of the students filed out of the classroom, Primrose walked over to Severus's desk. Once the door of the classroom fell shut behind the last student, Severus pinned Primrose with his inscrutable gaze.
"Miss Potter," he said softly. "As you know, there have been a number of troubling events at our school." Primrose nodded cautiously.
"The school is, of course, exploring every avenue. The student's safety is the school's top priority." Severus eyed Primrose, while she nodded yet again. "I wished to ask if you have noticed anything strange about your brother in the past months." Severus examined Primrose's face. The girl didn't flinch, but there was a flash behind her eyes, which she quickly hid.
"Are you - implying something, sir?" Rosie asked suspiciously. The last thing she wanted was for Harry to be blamed for the horrible snake bite prank. Plus, she could tell from Harry's expression and from the emotional link that he wasn't at fault.
"I'm merely making an inquiry. No blame has been cast at Mr. Potter's feet. But perhaps he may know something. The staff must cover every avenue of course," Severus replied smoothly.
"Then shouldn't Professor McGonagall be the one questioning Harry?" Rosie asked.
"As you know, the brunt of the prank fell upon the Gryffindor House. Professor McGonagall has her hands full." Severus watched the emotions that flickered across the girl's eyes. She was able to keep her face calm, but her eyes were far too telling. He knew that she was hiding something - the question was, what?
"Harry has been stressed," Rosie said cautiously, glancing away before looking back at her Professor. "He sometimes pushes himself too hard."
"I didn't ask whether or not your brother is stressed or how hard he works, Miss Potter," Severus replied, with a slight acerbic edge to his voice. It was not his normal venom - he couldn't quite use that tone of voice when speaking to someone with Lily's face.
"Stress can change a person's behaviour," Rosie replied neutrally. "He had been struggling with a lot." There was a flash of something in Primrose's eyes, and Severus wondered if he really saw anything or if it was a trick of his mind. The girl had seemed momentarily angry at him. But of course, as Severus bitterly considered the situation, he realized that Primrose would certainly take Potter's side in all matters. She, like everyone else, would be blind to Potter's numerous flaws.
"Yes, stress can certainly affect someone's behaviour. But as his sister, surely you would be able to differentiate between normal stress and abnormal behaviour manifesting from said stress," Severus pressed.
Primrose's expression was blank. She kept her eyes on his, and for a moment, he was tempted to try legilimency on her. Surely she wouldn't notice one quick look. And yet, it felt as though it would be wrong to invade her mind, so he refrained.
"As you know, sir, my brother and I are in different Houses," Primrose said, her voice soft. "I can't watch him all the time. This is my first year at Hogwarts. I don't know how he was like last year, so I can't really compare." There was a glint of stubbornness in Primrose's eyes that reminded him sharply of Lily. He knew that it would be near impossible to push past that stubbornness. Aware that he could go no further, he dismissed his student.
"Alright then. That is all, Miss Potter," Severus said, tiredly. Rosie gave him an unreadable expression before nodding.
"See you next class, sir," Rosie said. It felt weird to her, to simply leave without saying a word. Of course, saying 'see you next class' sounded completely awkward to her ears, but she tried to shrug it off. She didn't wait for a response, as she left the Potions classroom.
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Rosie made her way out of the maze of the dungeons up to the Great Hall. She knew that Harry had his Tuesday afternoons free, but she wondered whether he and his friends would venture out for lunch, or whether they would have preferred to stay holed away in the Gryffindor Common room. Since the tattoo probably wouldn't disappear until the evening, there was a good likelihood that he would have preferred to stay with the other Gryffindors, in support of them. Unfortunately for Rosie, she was correct. The Gryffindor table was still mostly empty. Rosie made her way to the Ravenclaw table and sat in her usual spot, smiling weakly at Romulus and Luna.
"What did Professor Snape want from you?" Luna asked, as she stirred her pumpkin juice-syrup mix..
"He was asking me about Harry," Rosie replied, frowning.
"Hm. That makes sense," Luna said, in her typical oblique manner.
"What do you mean?" Rosie examined Luna, as though expecting to see the answer on her friend's face. Of course, Luna's face never really revealed anything.
"Oh, only that Professor Snape seems to watch Harry a lot. Maybe he can see whatever it is that has its hold on Harry," Luna responded.
"Do you think so?" Rosie worried. "I mean, I know that Professor Snape doesn't exactly like Harry, but - I was hoping he'd leave Harry alone, once Harry did better in class."
"I don't think that Professor Snape is the sort who just lets things go," Luna murmured.
"Yeah, I suppose not." Rosie sighed. "What do you think of this whole thing anyway? I mean, I know we spoke about it last night" (Rosie and Luna usually had extensive conversations before bed, unless both of them were occupied by books or The Quibbler).
"It could be part of Heliopath Conspiracy," Luna replied. "I think that the Minister of Magic resents the Headmaster's power. That could by why the Minister is enlisting an army of the fire spirits at his command."
Rosie frowned as she considered Luna's words. "You think someone set up that prank to cause the Headmaster to lose his position?" Rosie's voice was hushed, and she peeked a glance up at the High Table. As she considered what Luna was saying, it seemed to make a lot of sense. But then, who wanted the Headmaster gone? In that case, the Slytherins were the most likely culprit. After all, Professor Dumbledore was one of the most powerful wizards on the side of the Light. And how did Harry fit into this whole thing? Rosie frowned as she realized the assumption she just made about Harry's involvement. While she did believe in Harry's innocence, there were pieces in the puzzle that just didn't fit. And the blackness in her link with Harry, which seemed to only be increasing, made her more uneasy than she ordinarily would have been. She knew Harry wasn't responsible for the prank, but maybe he had accidently shared the tattoo ink with the wrong people. Maybe he was indirectly related. She hoped not.
"Professor Dumbledore has a lot of enemies," Luna replied. "Powerful people tend to attract others, rather like how Brishmoops are attracted to orange marmalade."
Rosie nodded. That was true enough. Rosie glanced back at the Gryffindor Table. Still no sign of any of them. She sighed.
"I hope that this all works out. When I came to Hogwarts, I really thought I'd be focusing on studying, instead of - well - all this." Rosie laughed weakly. "I guess my Ravenclaw-ness is showing." Luna's eyes twinkled with amusement, and she took a sip of her pumpkin juice.
"I think we all want answers," Luna replied. "It's just that we all have different ways of finding them."
A/N: Been feeling a bit burnt out. It's been a challenge to write. I have an idea for a new story, but I always feel like I have to finish an old one first before I can start a new one. There's definitely a lot of things about this story that I find "off" but I guess it's a learning experience.