Introduction: Hi, guys! How are you all doing today? I wanna send a big shout out to James, KaramelKat, greysanatomiac007 and Son of Whitebeard for the sweet reviews on my last chapter. I'm incredibly happy that you guys are enjoying the story. Now for today's question, I'd like to know your Hogwarts Mystery OTPs. Yeah, I know. Random as hell, but I'd like to know. I won't tell you mine, because I think it may spoil some future chapters. I'm also following a bunch of HM Instagram pages and I noticed a lot of people dislike Rowan. What do you think of her? Anyway, I hope you like today's chapter. Any comments, critiques or concerns, feel free to contact me.

Chapter Ten – Pain and Betrayal

The Potions classroom is locked when I try to open it after Arithmancy class. It's very tempting to use Alohomora on it, but I know it wouldn't be correct. So I knock a few times, but after no response I go back to the Great Hall to enjoy the Halloween feast. Rowan is already there, stuffing her mouth with pumpkin pie, looking very satisfied with herself, and doesn't seem to care when I mention Professor Snape's locked door.

"He must have his reasons," she shrugs.

I'm still not feeling quite well about it, and when his eyes reappear in my dreams again, I start to feel even worse.

He doesn't show up for breakfast or lunch during the following day and I start to wonder if the classroom will be opened for our private lesson. I don't know why I'm so worried about him, but something about my dreams keeps me uneasy for the whole day, until it's finally six o'clock and I head decisively to the dungeons.

If the door is still locked, I'll knock it down.

But it isn't.

In fact, there's a small opened gap, though when I push it back, he's nowhere to be seen. I wander around the classroom – looking gloomy as always – and leave my bag over a random table. I sit right next to it; my legs crossed, and wait for a few minutes, wondering how long it will take for him to scold me for siting over a desk.

It takes several minutes for me to realize we won't be having private lessons today. I check my watch: it's six twenty.

Right when I'm about to grab my bag and leave the dungeons, I hear something in the distance. At first, sounds like a gasp or a moan; but after a few seconds of silence, I realize they're sobs. They're rather discrete and low, but I can hear them: a few sparse sobs and one or other sniffing sound.

I frown, looking around, and then I see an adjacent door slightly opened. Though I know it's wrong and I shouldn't do it, I walk to the door and open it a bit more, standing right under the archway, finding myself looking to a small office, loaded with curious ingredients in glass bottles and a lot of dusty books.

He doesn't see me; he's sitting by a desk, staring at something he's holding, his eyes seeming lost in the distance. I clear my throat, trying to think of a good way to call his attention without startling him, but it doesn't work. His eyes quickly turn to face me, looking strangely red, and he has evident dark circles under them.

"I've forgotten," he says, sniffing while straightening his back. "Forgive me, Miss Lockhart. But I think I'll-"

"It's okay," I say. "I just wanted to check if you're well."

"I'm fine," he sighs, a moody tone in his voice. "Our lessons are canceled for now," he stares at me with tired eyes. "Go away."

And then he turns his chair around, turning his back at me, and I experience the same thing I felt when I saw Penny crying. I'm obviously not gonna hug him or caress his hair, so I simply stick my hand in my pocket, grab Chocolate Frog box and leave it over his desk.

"Here," I say. "They always make me feel better."

He turns his head to face me, his face twisted in a frown, his eyes still a little watery. I smile at him, just turning the corners of my lips slightly upwards – the kind of smile which is gentle – and his face seems to relax. I turn around and go back to the classroom, grabbing my bag, heading to the Great Hall.

Something stops me before I leave the room; I hear them before I see them, so I simply lean my back against the door, listening from the inside.

"I'm casting the Killing Curse on the next Gryffindor I see," I hear Ismelda say.

"You don't even know the Killing Curse," Merula's voice is sharp.

"I accidentally sat on a Bowtruckle once," Barnaby says.

I smile and try to suppress a giggle. Barnaby may be one of Merula's current cronies, but he's somewhat adorable. I roll my eyes at my own thoughts.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Merula hisses.

"I thought we were talking about killing things," he says.

"I hate you both," she says. "I've taken everything I could from Lockhart's brother room. And nothing led to nowhere!"

I hear her going away, her steps harsh against the stone floor. I rest my head against the wooden door, sighing. Tulip's heavy key seems to call me and I reach my hand into my pocket, wrapping my fingers around it. I still don't know how I'll manage to recover the other key, but there's something to be done about this school. There are too many wrongs and too many people looking for them for the wrong reasons. Why are there Cursed Vaults and why did my brother go missing because of them? Why there was a murder in the castle and why didn't the faculty managed to prevent it?

When I finally go back to the dorm with Rowan, Professor Snape's gloomy eyes are still clouding up my mind. I sit on the edge of my bed, removing my loafers, when I notice an envelope over my pillow.

There's no addresser and nothing written on it; I open it, unfolding the thick parchment, an unfamiliar handwriting composing a letter to me.

Dear Athena Lockhart,

You are in grave danger. Your investigation into the Cursed Vaults has drawn the attention of a group who is not to be trifled with. Be careful, but remain courageous. I'm depending on you to reach the final vault before the others. I will assist you when I can. I hope that the next time I deliver you a message, the circumstances are far less mysterious.

Sincerely, A friend.

I frown, squinting my eyes upon those words. The mattress gives in a little bit when Rowan kneels on my bed right behind me, reading the letter from over my shoulder. Once again, I don't know what to think. I crumble over my bed, the letter carelessly fallen over my chest, and I close my eyes and my mind to the world.

"These messages," Rowan says, lying next to me. "They're so odd. I wonder if it was R who wrote this one too."

"I'm not sure I trust this person," I sigh. "Whoever she or he is."

"We have to find the next vault," she says. "Before Merula or anyone else. Someone is definitely playing a dangerous game, tampering with the vaults like this, releasing beasts and curses all around the school."

"I wonder if this is what our school life is gonna be," I say. "Cleaning someone else's mess, but getting in trouble for doing so."

"I still think it's very honorable what you always do. Taking all the blame and not getting the rest of us in trouble. Though I don't really think you should do it. We're in this together, you know."

"I know," I open my eyes to look at her. "Everything was possible just because you were there with me. It makes no sense that I get you guys in trouble just because I wanna find my brother. You guys are already being very sweet helping me find him. Even though it's not your fight."

She rests her head against my shoulder and I rest mine against her head, our hairs mixing up in blonde and black swirls. I feel so glad to have met her and for having her with me; and also for Penny, Ben and Bill's friendship and loyalty. Though we're not exactly long-term friends, they have proven to be the best friends someone could ask for. Because after all, if we don't stay united, how are we supposed to survive this school?

Potions class is just like it has always been when Friday arrives; Professor Snape still holds an extra gloominess, but he doesn't project it in his lesson. He doesn't look at me either. I'm not sure why it matters so much to me if he's feeling well or if he's sad and I spend the whole lesson focusing on my annotations and on brewing my potion correctly, somehow wondering if my flawless result will, in some way, make him feel a bit better.

Stupid. I know. But ever since Penny said I'm his favorite student, I've been feeling more determined to prove him I'm worthy of his time.

I sit with Rowan, Penny, Ben and Bill in the Three Broomsticks on Saturday, drinking Butterbeer and talking about the mysterious message left on my bed.

"Everything about the Cursed Vaults emanates mystery," Bill says. "Actually, everything about this school emanates mystery."

"I just wish these boggarts would go away," Ben sighs. "I have found two already. The first time it turned into a clown and the other into a scorpion."

"If only Professor Blood-Drinker would teach us how to get rid of them," Bill rolls his eyes.

"Don't call him that!" Rowan says, offended. "Lorcan d'Eath is amazing."

"I admit he's the best Dark Arts teacher we've had in a while," Bill says. "But he's not following the book. He is teaching whatever pleases him the most, not exactly what's useful for us right now."

"Perhaps he feeds on fear," I suggest. "And blood, obviously."

Rowan rolls her eyes.

"Come'n Row," Bill says, his bluish eyes staring deep into hers, making her cheeks blush furiously. "I didn't take you for a girl who would be so easily mesmerized by a pair of pretty eyes."

"Or fangs," Ben says, shivering.

Oh Bill… If you only knew…

We leave the pub and head straight to Zonko's. I'm not quite sure why, since none of us is a big prankster, but Bill says he wants to check on the news in case he finds something to give his twin brothers for Christmas.

It is no surprise that we find Tulip in there. Ever since the bomb experience, Rowan and I have noticed that she's even a bigger prankster than Peeves, and it also made me wonder if she's able of doing these things without getting caught or losing house points.

Total opposite of me, apparently.

"Hey Tulip", I say, looking at the boxes of Dungbomb she has on her hands.

"Hey guys," she smiles. "Any luck with recovering the other key?"

"Not really," I sigh. "It doesn't actually inspire me the fact that I have to steal something from Merula."

"Oh, you don't need to steal it," she says. "You could just ask her."

I frown.

"Tulip," I say. "You're aware that your words make no sense to me."

"I mean it," she smiles. "She doesn't need it anymore. In fact, she can't even use it, given the fact that I have the other key. Better yet, you have it now."

"She said she already took all she wanted from my brother's room," I say. "What did she mean with that?"

"She's lying," she says, carrying the Dungbombs to the cashier. "We used the room to study the vaults because it was full of valuable information and research, but there was nothing worth taking. At least, I don't think there was."

"Tulip, it is very important that I get into that room," I say. "I know Merula's intentions for the vaults are simply to gather more power and stuff, but I just want to find my brother."

"I know," she sighs. "Your reasons are far nobler than hers. Maybe that's why she's having trouble finding them."

"Noble or not, I really need to recover that key," I sigh.

"Maybe I could help you," she says, grabbing the bag the clerk gives her.

"Are you going to ask Merula?"

"Of course not," she smiles. "We'll do it Tulip style."

"I don't wanna get near the Shrieking Shack," Ben whines while we're heading there with Tulip and her bag full of Dungbombs.

"We must, Ben," I say. "If Merula and her cronies are there, this might be our chance."

Sure enough, there they are; looking over the fence – the abandoned haunted house in the distance – Merula, Ismelda and Barnaby. The chilly autumn air seems to be even colder around them, and I cross my arms as we get closer. We hide behind a tall rock, observing as they chat.

"So," I look at Tulip. "What's the plan?"

"Wingardium Leviosa," she says, pointing her wand to a big Dungbomb she took from the shopping bag.

"I didn't know we were allowed to use magic outside of school," Ben says.

"There are some limitations," Rowan says. "I suppose a simple Levitation Charm is not considered to be a problem."

"It will after today," Tulip smirks as she conducts the Dungbomb in the air, to a place with above Merula and her cronies.

Though I know what's coming and I wouldn't really wish this kind of thing on anyone, it's so tempting to watch. Tulip carelessly breaks the incantation and the Dungbomb falls from the sky, right into the space between the three friends. At first, it looks like nothing is going to happen, but then there's a small explosion and a lot of green fumes surrounding the air around it.

"It's a Dungbomb!" I hear Ismelda yelling.

"I can't breathe!" Barnaby shouts, and the two of them start running away from the revolting smoke.

It doesn't surprise me, really, that Merula instantly realizes this is a mere distraction; one of Tulip's pranks to separate her from the rest of her crew. She walks away from the smoke, looking around with a big frown upon her face, her violet eyes almost on fire.

"Get back here, you cowards!" she yells, but Ismelda and Barnaby are too far away to listen. "Tulip! I know you're behind all this! Only a psycho like you would use Dungbombs like this!"

"Guilty," she says, leaving her hiding place behind the rock, her hands lifted in the air. I follow her, but Rowan, Ben, Penny and Bill keep waiting in safety.

"What do you want?" Merula asks, sharply.

"We need the key, Merula," Tulip says, her face disposing complete confidence.

"We?" she repeats, raising her brows. "I see. You weren't good enough for me, so you had to work with Lockhart? How does it feel to know I found your brother's room before you?"

I roll my eyes; there's not much I can do.

"Why don't we quit whatever it is we're doing," I say, shrugging. "and work together? I just want to find my brother. You can have whatever you want from the next vault."

"Are you trying to trick me?" Merula places her hands on her hips. "I don't want to work with you, Lockhart."

I'm not sure why, but the way she says my last name makes it sound like an offense.

Perhaps it was all the Quidditch practices and the fact that I'm getting better and better at finding the Snitch, but I manage to almost predict Merula's next movement; she makes mention to grab her wand, but before she can even aim it at me, I already have my own, secure in my hand, pointing straight at her. To my surprise, Tulip also has her own wand aimed at Merula, and my friends leave their safe spot, wand in hand as well.

"Give me the key, Merula," I say, calmly.

Her lips twist in a completely disgusted face, though her eyes betray her and expose a bit of what's she's feeling: shock, fear and a touch of resentment.

"Take it," she says, removing a necklace from the the inside of her sweater; secure in the chain, for my heart's delight, is the other key. "I already got what I needed from that loser's room anyway."

"We could still use your help," Tulip says with a kind smile.

"I don't help traitors," she spits. "Watch this one, Lockhart. It's only a matter of time before she stabs you in the back."

She turns her back at us, walking angrily back to the village, her short hair flowing around her nape as she vanishes behind the trees. I risk a look at Tulip, but she doesn't look back; instead, her face is pure pain.