Track: Wide Awake - Katy Perry
Everyone was abuzz this morning.
"Where are Theo and Rabastan?"
I knew, of course. The news will be out soon. And I was right.
We're at breakfast, our table is still buzzing with whispers. I say nothing. I'm waiting to hear the fate of my best friend.
When Dumbledore stands up, the entire hall falls deathly silent.
"Good morning students! I have an important announcement!" The elder began. "As you know, an announcement was made that the seventh year Hufflepuff Ted Tonks had hexed the first year Slytherin, Severus Snape. It so happens, that we were fooled. Ted Tonks, was framed."
Deathly cheers erupted from the Hufflepuff table. They were soon joined by the Gryffindors and most of the Ravenclaws. The entire hall was screaming in triumph for Ted Tonks. All except the Slytherins. Most of us just don't like Tonks. Some students however, have already figured out the puzzle. The reason why Theo and Rabastan are missing.
Suddenly, Dumbledore looked troubled. Solemnly, he continued. "We have proven that two sixth and seventh year Slytherin's, Theo Urqheart and Rabastan Lestrange, are responsible. They are henceforth, expelled."
Expelled. The word rang through the ears of the occupants of Hogwarts. Expelled. My best friend has been expelled from Hogwarts.
I look to my left; Patricia is crying silently. I can't take it.
I'm the master of self-control. The only people better at it are my sisters and Snape. But Rabastan's future being Avada Kedavra'd combined with it being all my fault is unbearable. I hold my friend and cry right along with her.
Dumbledore didn't say what happened, but I know the truth.
The truth that set Tonks free.
So I told my housemates what happened. Lara and I held Patricia's hands through the entire story.
No one really questioned me when I announced to the Head Girl that Rabastan would not be present. Meanwhile, Rabastan, Theo and Severus made their way to a deserted corridor. Deserted, except for one Ted Tonks; patrolling alone while the rest of us had a meeting. Our boys attacked the solitary Hufflepuff from behind. However, Ted Tonks isn't as easily defeated as their previous targets. Despite their flurry of dark spells, he fought back. He aimed a hex directly at Theo. When he fired it, however, Theo didn't budge. Instead, an invisible form went rocketing through the air and collided with the wall of the corridor. The limp form of Severus Snape became visible. Tonk's curse, meant for the much larger Theo, had been way to powerful for little Severus, thus making things worse for the smaller first year.
Rabastan had cast a dilusionment charm over Severus, who had been standing in front of Theo, ready to take any spell that came their way, in order to get Tonks in trouble. They were banking alot on Tonks fighting back, and fighting well.
Everything went according to plan. Until Dumbledore figured out what really happened. At least, that's what I told my housemates.
Track: Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson
Patricia hasn't stopped crying. Our entire house is crestfallen and depressed. Two expulsions! Two! And Rabastan was our leader! (After me, of course.) You may think we're over-reacting, but lets just say that being expelled from Hogwarts is a one-way ticket to failure. You can't get much of a job with only O.W.L scores, you need NEWTs! And those that will take O.W.L level employees will take one look at you, see that you were expelled, and dismiss you like a mosquito. Not to mention the shame brought to your family. Rabastan especially, is going to get grilled when he gets home.
Patricia has finally cried herself out and fallen asleep. Now I can go see Rabastan. I wont tell him. I can never tell my best friend that I'm the one that ruined his future.
Dumbledore really needs to step up security. The guard gargoyles are once again standing aside, letting anyone pass through. I thought Dumbledore was supposed to be smart? Oh well. I've made my way up the stairs, and I push open the door to the Headmaster's office just a crack. Dumbledore looks very troubled as he sits at his ornate desk, staring at a pile of parchment on his desk. I call:
"Headmaster?"
The older man looks up, startled, but smiles upon seeing me. His eyes are twinkling. Why are his eyes twinkling like that? He doesn't know it was me who told-no one does. The office was empty. It's a secret I'll take to the grave. Then, Dumbledore speaks:
"Ah! Miss Black. I've been expecting you. What can assist you with?"
"I need to see Rabastan." I say bluntly. It's not a request.
Dumbledore's eyes remain sparkling. "Under the circumstances, we are keeping his visitors limited. However, you may certainly visit the boy. He's in the room behind me. Go right on in." With that, he returns to his work. I follow his directions and sure enough, there's a room on the other side of the Headmaster's office that I've never noticed. Rabastan is alone, asleep on the sofa.
I look at him. This boy I've known for years. A boy of only seventeen. I guess that isn't a boy. He's a man now. But I still remember the little boy I met so long ago. He looks younger too, right now, sleeping on that sofa. The sight before me is that of a peaceful boy, not a troubled young man. His brown hair is falling in front of his dark brown eyes, his defined muscles are relaxed. I never want him to wake up. He'll have to awake to the truth: his nightmare.
Sensing my presence, Rabastan's dark eyes fly open.
"D!" He exclaims, jumping up and hugging me fiercely. He used his old nickname for me. I feel even worse now.
"How are you?" I ask, as we sit on the sofa, grasping hands. I really am concerned. I sound it, too.
He hesitates. Then:
"D, I'm being expelled." He says it slowly, almost in a whisper.
"I know! I know and it isn't fair!" I cry, and throw my arms around him. Tears stream down his cheeks as I cry in the arms of my best friend.
In case anyone doesn't like the way Dumbledore and McGonagall announce everything to the entire school, I admit I'm not fond of it either. But I needed the shock factor for the story to work.
xoxo