Chapter Fourteen:
Elizabeth nearly dropped the mirror in shock, staring at Harry with wide eyes.
"Hagrid?" she asked weakly, "How are you sure? How did you work out that diary?"
"I spilt ink over my books today, and I noticed that there wasn't any ink on it. I tried writing in it, and it wrote back—"
"And it told you Hagrid opened the Chamber?" Elizabeth kept her voice quiet, so she could hear when her roommates came in. She couldn't believe it. Not Hagrid. Not their friend...
"I'm wondering if Riddle might have got the wrong person," Hermione's voice came from out of sight, "Harry said the diary showed him a memory, but what's to say that Hagrid's creature was the one attacking students?"
"How many monsters d'you think this place can hold?" Ron's voice came next.
"But..." Elizabeth said slowly, "Riddle got the award, and we think it was for stopping the attacks, right? And they had to have stopped or else the school would have closed..."
"I can't blame Riddle, really..." Harry said, "I mean, they were going to lose Hogwarts. He was going to be sent back to a Muggle orphanage..."
Elizabeth fell quiet, watching Harry on the glass. She knew if he had the chance, he'd find some way not to go back to his own aunt and uncle...
"Maybe we should go talk to Hagrid," Elizabeth whispered.
"That'd be a cheerful visit," Ron said sarcastically, "'Hello, Hagrid. Tell us, have you been setting anything mad and hairy loose in the caste lately?'"
"That's not what I was meaning," Elizabeth said, "I meant go and talk to him about last time. Get his side of the story..."
"We don't have to let him know we know about this," Harry said, "I mean, there hasn't been an attack in a while. So let's not bring it up unless another attack happens."
They all agreed, and Elizabeth told them she had to go because the girls were coming on to bed. Elizabeth put away the mirror before curling up to get some sleep.
It turned out, however, as the months rolled on that it seemed they wouldn't have to talk to Hagrid. As April approached, there had still been no sign of another attack. Besides, Elizabeth had something more important to worry about. They had to pick out new classes to be taking the following year. She'd been receiving letters from her mother, aunt, and Xavier for advice, and had Lewis trying to talk to her too. Even Tobias was giving her advice—Elizabeth had been talking to him a lot more over the past few months, slowly getting to know him better. It was really nice, finally talking to him more without embarrassing herself.
When the day finally came to pick classes, Elizabeth was in the common room with her fellow second-years, all of them sitting around a table, going over the lists.
"Does anyone know if Ancient Runes is a complicated subject?" Sally-Anne asked, going over the list.
"I hear it's a nightmare," Susan said, "My auntie took it and she regretted it."
"What about Divination?" Wayne asked, "People say it's hogwash a lot...But Arithmancy sounds complicated..."
"I'm going to take Divination, so let's hope it's not hogwash," Elizabeth said. It was the only class she knew she was going to take. Lewis had told her it was a weak subject, that it was full of nonsense, but Elizabeth wasn't so sure. She kept thinking about the feelings of dread she'd had the past year, before finding the words on the wall...Before Justin was attacked...And the same thing had happened to her the day they had decided to go after the Philosopher's Stone. She doubted she was a Seer, they were extremely rare, but maybe Divination could help her out. Learn a bit more about seeing signs and knowing what was coming...
"I'll take Divination with you," Hannah said, marking her paper.
"Why don't we all sign up for it?" Megan asked, "That way if it's bad, we'll at least all be together."
Elizabeth thought the idea was stupid, but they all agreed anyway. Besides, not many people knew what classes they wanted to take. Divination filled in a slot they needed.
"I'm thinking of taking Muggle Studies," Ernie said, "It can always be helpful knowing more about them..."
"Then we can finally understand what Sally-Anne and Justin keep—"
Susan's voice faltered at that, and she stared at the empty chair at their table. Silence fell over the group as they all glanced around at each other. Moments like this, when they'd almost forgotten about the attacks, and it snuck back up on them that Justin wasn't there...That was hard.
"Professor Sprout says the Mandrakes are nearly matured," Oliver said, "We'll have Justin back before you know it."
"Then he'll get to have fun catching up on half a year of work," Rodger said, "And pick out classes for next year."
That cheered everyone up a little, and Elizabeth looked down at her paper, deciding to sign up for Muggle Studies herself. Divination and Muggle Studies. That should be a nice work load, shouldn't it? She wasn't really interested enough in magical creatures to take a class on it, and she really didn't want to try and take Arithmancy or Ancient Runes. She'd heard nightmare stories about those classes.
xxxxx
Elizabeth was relieved Lewis was on the Quidditch team. He was practicing almost constantly after classes before dinner, which meant he wasn't following Elizabeth around or keeping an eye on her constantly. Elizabeth was grateful for that in both it gave her an opportunity to hang out with Tobias without being spied on, and let her spend time with Harry, Ron, and Hermione without being watched. Or, more Ron and Hermione. Harry was practicing Quidditch himself, as the Quidditch match final was Hufflepuff versus Gryffindor. This led to plenty of playful arguments between Elizabeth and Ron over whose team was better.
The night before the match, Elizabeth had just finished talking with Tobias and was starting for her room to work on homework alone when she heard Harry's voice in her mirror. Elizabeth ducked into the circular room leading to the dormitories, pulling the mirror out.
"Someone broke into our room," Harry whispered, "Riddle's diary is gone."
"Someone stole the diary?" Elizabeth asked, her face pale, "But...Your room? Only a Gryffindor could get in there..."
"That's what's worrying me," Harry whispered, "Whoever did this tore apart the room...And the diary is the only thing missing. They knew exactly what they were looking for."
"So does this mean a Gryffindor is behind this?" Elizabeth whispered, glancing up as a couple of fifth years came through, giving Elizabeth a strange look as they went on into their room.
"Or maybe someone's asked a Gryffindor to get the book for them," Ron whispered from out of sight, "Probably spread some story that Harry stole it."
"Well, it's gone now," Harry whispered, "There's not anything we can do about it..."
xxxxx
The news of the diary kept Elizabeth up most of the night, though she did manage to get a few hours' sleep. At least she knew she didn't have to concentrate on classes today. It was the Quidditch final, and Elizabeth was excited. Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff, and their team was good. They were going to cream Gryffindor this year.
Quidditch was the only topic of discussion over breakfast, and on the way down to the pitch. Elizabeth left the others just long enough to stop by the locker room and wish Lewis and Cedric luck, then headed back up into the stands, finding a place to sit.
"Ready for a great match?"
Elizabeth looked up, grinning as Tobias took the seat next to her.
"Our team is unstoppable, we'll win," she said, "Especially with my brother as one of the Chasers."
"And we have Cedric Diggory for a Seeker," Tobias said, "Potter might have a fast broom, but he's only a second year. Cedric has talent and experience."
The two teams came out then and Elizabeth leaned forward, watching the Gryffindors taking a warmup lap, while the Hufflepuffs were grouped together on the edge of the field. She could see Lewis and Cedric with their backs to her and she grinned, excited for the match to begin.
Professor McGonagall came out onto the field, carrying a megaphone, and suddenly Elizabeth felt a quick jab of dread. Something was wrong.
"This match has been canceled," Professor McGonagall said, her voice echoing around, drowning out the boos of the crowd, "All students are to make their way back to the House common rooms, where their Heads of Houses will give them further information. As quickly as you can, please!"
Elizabeth's heart was racing as she watched Professor McGonagall say something to Harry, then lead him away from the others.
"Something's wrong," Elizabeth said, "I'll catch up with you later."
Elizabeth hurried down the stand, pushing through people and reaching Professor McGonagall and Harry just at the same time as Ron came running up.
"Yes, perhaps you two'd better come too, Weasley, Miss Martin," Professor McGonagall said, looking between them. Elizabeth's feeling of dread was tightening her stomach more now.
Professor McGonagall led the three of them up through the castle, and Elizabeth glanced at the others, her stomach dropping. Where was Hermione? Wasn't she down at the match? The dread became stronger as Professor McGonagall led them up to the hospital wing.
"This will be a bit of a shock," she said gently, "There has been another attack...another double attack."
Elizabeth swallowed hard as they stepped into the hospital wing, where Madam Pomfrey was leaned over a Ravenclaw girl with curly hair, but past her in the next bed...Elizabeth moved closer, and froze.
It was Hermione. Elizabeth felt the horror of Justin all over again. Seeing one of her friends, lying frozen as if a statue...
"They were found near the library," Professor McGonagall said, then held out a small mirror not much bigger than the two-way the friends shared, though this one wasn't a magical one, "I don't suppose either of you can explain this? It was on the floor next to them..."
"No," Elizabeth whispered as Harry and Ron shook their heads. Somehow, after months without an attack, Elizabeth had hoped it was all over...And now Hermione had been attacked.
"Wait here a moment," Professor McGonagall said, "I will go talk with someone to escort Miss Martin to the Hufflepuff common room, and I will take you, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, to the Gryffindor tower. I need to address the students there in any case."
Professor McGonagall walked off and Elizabeth looked over at the others.
"We have to talk to Hagrid," she whispered.
"There's no way we'll be able to get out of the castle, though," Ron whispered, "You know they're going to be watching things more closely now."
"We'll use my Invisibility Cloak," Harry whispered, "Tonight. We'll meet you in the entrance hall, Elizabeth. Can you hide in that closet right at the entrance until we get there?"
"Yeah," Elizabeth whispered with a nod.
xxxxx
Sneaking out of the common room hadn't been as hard as Elizabeth thought it would be. Everyone had gone to bed early, which Elizabeth was grateful for because every time she turned around, someone was apologizing to her because they knew she was friends with Hermione. Even Ernie had come to talk to her, telling her that he knew Harry'd never attack Hermione. So he finally believed Harry wasn't the one behind the attacks. Elizabeth thanked him, but she was too busy thinking about that night to really let it sink in.
Everyone was in bed early, however, so Elizabeth was able to slip out of the common room without running into anyone. The problem was making it down the hall to the stairs up to the entrance hall. Twice, she had to duck into an alcove because a Prefect or teacher came by. But she finally did make it to the entrance hall and ducked into a closet, though immediately regretted it.
It was dark and tight in there, and she groaned, squeezing her eyes tightly shut. She hated tight spaces...Finally, Elizabeth couldn't take it and cracked open the closet door, peering out. As long as she could see out, as long as she could see there was bigger space...As long as she didn't feel trapped...
"Elizabeth? We're here," Harry's voice came from the other side of the door and Elizabeth jumped, clamping her hand over her mouth to muffle a squeal. She came on out, closing the closet door as quietly as possible and ducked under the Invisibility Cloak when Harry lifted it for her.
"What took you so long?" Elizabeth whispered as they made it outside.
"Avoiding teachers," Ron grumbled.
"Try doing that without a cloak," Elizabeth replied.
They made their way down to Hagrid's hut, pulling off the Cloak as they did. Harry reached up, knocking on the door as he draped the Cloak over his arm. Fang started barking loudly inside and Hagrid answered a second after, crossbow in hand.
"Oh..." Hagrid looked confused to see them, lowering the crossbow, "What're you three doin' here?"
"What's that for?" Harry asked, pointing to the crossbow.
"Nothin'—nothin'—" Hagrid ushered them inside quickly, closing the door, "I've bin expectin'—doesn' matter—sit down—I'll make tea—"
Hagrid seemed a nervous wreck. He nearly broke his teapot at one point, and kept knocking things over. Elizabeth couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
"Hagrid?" she said softly, "You heard about Hermione?"
"Oh, I heard, all righ'," Hagrid said, his voice wavering as he looked to the windows. Almost instantly, there was a knock on the door.
Elizabeth gave her friends a panicked look, then the three rushed to the corner and Harry pulled the Invisibility Cloak over the three of them. Hagrid made sure they were out of sight before going and opening the door, revealing Dumbledore and—
"Is that the Minister for Magic?" Elizabeth whispered, her eyes widening, just to have Harry elbow her in the side. But this was definitely Cornelius Fudge. Elizabeth had seen his picture in the paper before, she recognized him both by his gray hair, and pinstriped suit and bowler hat.
"Bad business, Hagrid," Fudge said without any introduction, "Very bad business. Had to come. Four attacks on Muggle-borns. Things've gone far enough. Ministry's got to act."
"I never!" Hagrid turned to Dumbledore, "You know I never, Professor Dumbledore, sir—"
"I want it understood, Cornelius," Dumbledore turned to the Minister, "That Hagrid has my full confidence."
"Look, Albus. Hagrid's record's against him. Ministry's got to do something—the school governors have been in touch—"
"Yet again, Cornelius, I tell you that taking Hagrid away will not help in the slightest," Dumbledore said sternly.
Elizabeth sucked in a breath as they argued. It seemed Fudge was only here to arrest Hagrid for sake of appearances, to make it seem as if he was doing something...But the idea of Hagrid being sent to Azkaban for something that he didn't do...
There was a knock on the door that made Elizabeth jump and Dumbledore went to answer it. Elizabeth's eyes widened and Harry gasped beside her. Lucius Malfoy came in the door, adjusting a long travel cloak.
"Already here, Fudge?" Mr. Malfoy said with a smile, "Good, good."
"What're you doin' here?" Hagrid roared, "Get outta my house!"
"My dear man, believe me, I have no pleasure at all in being inside your—you call this a house?" Mr. Malfoy asked with a sneer much like the one his son used. Elizabeth clenched her hands into fists, glaring at him. "I simply called at the school and was told the headmaster was here."
"And what exactly did you want with me, Lucius?" Dumbledore asked with a politeness Elizabeth wasn't sure she could have done.
"Dreadful thin, Dumbledore but the governors feel it's time for you to step aside," Mr. Malfoy said, pulling out a long roll of parchment, "This is an Order of Suspension—you'' find all twelve signatures on it. I'm afraid we fell you're losing your touch. How many attacks have there been now? Two more this afternoon, wasn't it? At this rate, there'll be no Muggle-borns left at Hogwarts, and we know what an awful loss that would be to the school."
Elizabeth's glare tightened. She knew Mr. Malfoy didn't care at all about the Muggle-borns, and she was quite sure he threatened the other governors into signing—an opinion Hagrid voiced as well, quite loudly at that.
"Dear, dear, you know, that temper of yours will lead you into trouble one of these days, Hagrid," Mr. Malfoy said almost mockingly, "I would advise you not to shout at the Azkaban guards like that. They wouldn't like it."
Hagrid started yelling something else, but Elizabeth didn't really hear. Her mind was going to Hagrid in Azkaban. Of the Dementors, horrible creatures that guarded the prisoners...Her mother's opinions on them from the one time she went...
"If the governors want my removal, Lucius," Dumbledore said, pulling Elizabeth from her thoughts, "I shall of course step aside—However." Dumbledore's voice became more clear now, and he spoke more slowly, and Elizabeth tensed. She could swear his gaze flickered to their corner. "You will find that I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me. You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it."
"Admirable sentiments," Mr. Malfoy said with a smirk, "We shall miss your—er—highly individual way of running things, Albus, and only hope that your successor will manage to prevent any—ah—killings."
Mr. Malfoy and Dumbledore left and Fudge started to follow, waiting at the door for Hagrid. Elizabeth held her breath as Hagrid straightened up, speaking loudly.
"If anyone wanted ter find out some stuff, all they'd have ter do would be ter follow the spiders. That'll lead 'em right! That's all I'm sayin'."
They were out the door and Harry pulled off the cloak, turning to her friends.
"We're in trouble now," Ron whispered, "No Dumbledore. They might as well close the school tonight. There will be an attack a day with him gone."
"I'm more worried about Hagrid..." Elizabeth said, "Azkaban? He doesn't deserve to be there..."
Elizabeth glanced to Fang at the door and her heart went out to him. He already wanted Hagrid back, and Elizabeth was the same. She couldn't imagine the school without him, or Dumbledore...