Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters and settings from the Harry Potter world, which is trademarked by J. K. Rowling. I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of Harry Potter and will not receive any money or other financial profit for presenting the work on this site. The story I tell here as well as certain original characters are my own invention, and are not purported or believed to be part of J.K. Rowling's story canon.

・゚: *・゚*・゚: *・゚*・゚: *・゚:

Chapter 47

Since heading back to the castle together as a group was rather suspicious, Hagrid insisted on coming with them. If any of the Carrows were to cross their path, he would tell them about how he wanted to escort Neville, Ginny, and Luna back to their respective dormitories when suddenly Sage ran right into them, appearing rather distraught. Of course there was little else for him to do than bring her to his hut along with the other three students, so they wouldn't be able to cause any trouble. Once Sage had recovered from her sudden qualm, Hagrid felt compelled to make sure she would arrive back at the castle safely. Unfortunately, he had to bring the other three troublemakers along.

With this more or less believable story all set up, they left the hut reluctantly. None of them were eager to exchange the welcoming atmosphere that met them at Hagrid's for the threatening aura Hogwarts had adopted ever since the beginning of the year. Sage and Neville were walking beside each other, the cold night air feeling awfully strange against her skin. Though she still shuddered with the way Ginny had put it, boiling must have been the perfect description for what she had felt like.

The silence amongst the five of them was quite uncomfortable for Sage. As of lately, she preferred not to be left alone with her thoughts, especially after how upsetting the past hour had been. Though she might have laughed about it only minutes before, she was genuinely terrified of how Amycus Carrow would react. She had yet to be the subject of his sudden outbursts of violence and was not exactly looking forward to it.

"You reckon he'll accept my apology?" Sage whispered towards Neville's direction.

"Of course he will," Neville reassured her.

"Only if you manage to not puke right in front of his feet, that is," Ginny noted under a chuckle.

Obviously, Sage's whispering hadn't been quiet enough.

"Well, even if that were the case, I doubt he'd take offence at it. Even he must admit that his potion could easily be blamed for it, as much is sure," Luna chimed in.

"Don't yeh worry, Sage. Tha' idiot will lap up whatever yeh'll tell 'im," Hagrid claimed confidently.

"Thanks for the support," Sage said in response, "I'm glad we all agree that the Carrows aren't the brightest candles on the cake."

"They sure as hell aren'!" Hagrid agreed.

Sage wholeheartedly laughed at how passionate his response was. As she allowed herself this bittersweet moment of amusement, she noticed Neville watching her in the corner of her eye. He looked as if.. he were admiring her every move, trying to freeze the sight of her mouth curled up to her cheeks in his memory. Though she would never let on about how his gaze on her made her feel, she blushed rigorously. Never before in her life had she been more thankful for the dark of the night.

As they made their way to the grand staircase, Sage made sure to keep her distance from Neville. As Luna hat noted so kindly before, she wasn't exactly a great liar. If she wanted to keep her cover, she was best left off far away from him in front of suspicious witnesses. Otherwise she would just end up being way too obvious from trying too hard.

"Miss Selwyn?" an awfully familiar voice called out from behind her back.

"Professor Carrow?" she responded in a sheepish voice.

Sage reluctantly turned to face him, watching as he (rather ungracefully) jogged towards them. Once he had arrived in front of her, he straightened his robes meticulously, before sending a dirty look across the group.

"I was trying to find you after you stormed off, but it seems as if someone pipped me at the post," he noted sourly.

"Oh, I apologise, Professor," she said in a dramatised tone of voice, "I thought you'd never want to see my face again after I lashed out at you like this, so I ran outside the castle and must've have passed out. Luckily, Hagrid and these three troublemakers found me and were able to help. It was due to my poor nerves, you see, but that is still no excuse for my behaviour. I can understand if you are unwilling to ever forgive me!"

"Oh, my dearest Miss Selwyn, don't be so harsh on yourself!" he attempted to reassure her, knowing damn well that his screwed up potion was to blame, "The stress is getting to all of us. Considering the state you were in before I found you.. Well, I'm surprised nothing more serious happened."

"Oh, thank you for your kind words, Professor. I'm glad you understand my unpleasant position. If I may, I'd like to retreat to my chambers now. It has been a rather long day," Sage explained, still mimicking the perfect damsel in distress.

"That would probably be best. Allow me to escort you there," Amycus Carrow offered.

Sage took his arm and let him lead the way. A few steps down the hallway, she turned her head towards her perplexed looking friends and poked her tongue out at them.

"Not as bad of a liar as we thought," Ginny simply noted.

"Apparently not," Neville agreed.

・゚: *・゚*・゚: *・゚*・゚: *・゚:

Author's note: Double agent Sage strikes again!!

I honestly don't have the words to thank you enough for your kind and continued support!! Your reviews always put a smile on my face and keep me in great spirits until the next day!!

I hope this chapter was fun to read. Wishing you all the best!! :-)