I'm back! I have commenced full time University study which is why this took so long! Good news is I have the next chapter and the one after almost ready to go.
So Year Six - There will be spoilers. Big Ones. Everywhere. You have been warned.
Also remember we are in mature territory now. There will be mature content. (M)

One last bit of housekeeping - I retconned Mr Harper's profession from last chapter. He can't work at the bank (he's not a goblin. *facepalm*) But I did want him to get put in a terribly boring job.
Happy Reading! xxx

Teacups & Palm Readings

Everly didn't want to open her eyes. She didn't want it to be morning, knowing this would be the last time for a while that she would wake in Talbott's bed. Content to keep her eyes closed and in denial she could hear the birds chirping outside the window. She could tell Talbott was awake behind her, his breathing was too light. She smiled as she felt the warm body pressed against her and felt his lips press kisses onto her bare shoulder.

"Evie..." He whispered. When she refused to open her eyes he tried again. "Ev...sweetheart, it's morning." Talbott kissed her shoulder again. Leaning back into him she arched her neck to give him better access but stubbornly refused to open her eyes. He reached his arm across her waist and down to her underwear. He left them perfectly in place but applied a light pressure . One of her knees was raised while the other leg was pressed firmly into the bedsheets, giving her leverage and she lifted her hips to meet his hand.

Everly-Grace whimpered in frustration, he was teasing her. He leant down to her mouth. "Shhh..." He whispered, his lips pressed into her neck. His hand slipped beneath the fabric and she gasped at his touch. She finally opened her eyes to see him watching the elation dance across her features. One arm moved up to rest her fingers in his hair and he took the moment to kiss the inside of her arm gently. He pressed inside and her teeth found his earlobe. Not moments later Everly turned her head into her pillow to try and muffle the sounds leaving her mouth. She moved her hand from where it was entwined in his hair to grip onto his arm for dear life, fingernails digging into his skin. Talbott kissed her hair, letting her ride out the elation, her entire body shaking around his hand. He gave her a moment, she exhaled a giggle.

"Merlins' beard! ...You read too many books..." She said with a breathy whisper, her smile had never been so bright.

He settled in beside her and kissed her mouth gently. "Good morning."

"Is it?" Everly responded wistfully. "We have a train to catch in only a few hours."

There was a rapt knock on the bedroom door and Mary's voice came through from the hallway.

"Breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes. I expect you both to have clothes on."

Evie turned a shade of pink. It really was no secret that the two of them had been engaging in scandalous activity, but much to their relief Talbott's grandmother was most adept at feigning ignorance. Talbott groaned and kissed her shoulder again. "How am I supposed to keep my hands off of you this term?"

"I don't understand how adults get anything done. I wish I could just stay with you...like this." She reached for him and pulled him down towards her. Her lips captured his and she coaxed him to kiss her deeper. He indulged her for a moment, and then he was on top of her. Her legs wound around him trying to anchor him there and he pulled his lips away. He knew exactly what she was doing. She moved her hand to caress his face and just held it there for a moment. She looked at him, into his eyes, and she realised she was searching for something in them, unsure what, he was looking back at her, studying her face.

"Everly-Grace I..." ...love you, he wanted to say. Hell's he wanted to tell her. He felt like he should tell her. They were far too young to be sleeping together if he didn't.

"...yes?" She prompted, looking at him quizzically.

They were both almost naked, and wrapped up in one another. If he said it now, she would be obligated to say it back. He couldn't do that to her. He kissed the inside of her palm that was still against his cheek. Talbott ran his hands down over her hips lightly, and then up the legs that were wrapped around his abdomen. Somehow he managed to untangle himself and roll off of her. He kissed her one last time on the lips before standing up. He looked back down at her to see Everly pouting; his sheets wrapped around her.

"If we don't shower, dress and get downstairs Gran won't hesitate to come and drag us out by our ears."

She desperately wanted to know what he had been going to say. She knew it wasn't that they needed to get in the shower, but she didn't want to push him. "You have experience with harbouring women in your bed Mr Winger?"

"No; but you're giving me plenty of practice Miss Harper." He couldn't stop smiling at her and Everly hadn't seen him this relaxed before. "I'll let you have the first shower."

Everly-Grace kept his sheets clutched tightly around her. "Alright but turn around."

Talbott raised an eyebrow. "...why?"

"...I don't have any clothes on."
"I hate to have to tell you this Evie, but I had a very close look at you without your clothes on last night..."

She threw a pillow at his face and he just shook his head with an incredulous grin as he turned to look at the wallpaper on his bedroom wall. Everly hunted around the vicinity of the bed until she found something to put on overtop of her underwear. Her fingers landed on an oversized t-shirt of Talbott's. It was purple and pink, emblazoned with a large eagle's head plus another in flight on the front. Smiling as she slipped it over her head she inhaled the smell of him. Sandalwood. It was perfect. She would sneak this into her luggage before they left.

Everly-Grace breathed a sigh of relief as her and Talbott walked through the Hogwarts grounds and into the main foyer. Her arm was looped through his and she could almost discern a look of pride on his face at having her on his arm. They were eager to get into the Great Hall for the welcoming feast when Professor McGonagall pulled her aside in the hallway.

"Miss Harper, the Headmaster requires your presence in his office."

Everly looked over at Talbott, who had stopped to wait for her, she looked back at the Deputy Headmistress. "But the welcome feast..."

"The welcoming feast will not proceed without Professor Dumbledore; so I suggest you do not keep him waiting lest all of the school will go hungry."

"The year hasn't started, I can't be in trouble yet; I haven't done anything!" She protested.

"Now; Miss Harper. I'm sure Mr Winger will survive without you being attached to his arm all evening."

Everly blushed and turned around to head towards the West Tower while Talbott moved with the sea of students into the Great Hall.

Upon entering Dumbledore's office Everly's stomach dropped. She had said to Talbott how scared she was that her parents would send her away.

"You asked for me Professor?"

"Ah yes, Miss Harper. Welcome back to Hogwarts."

"Thank you Sir. Is something wrong?"

"I received a very interesting letter from your parents over the summer."

"I knew it! Professor, please. You can't send me home. They're just upset with me."

Professor Dumbledore furrowed his brow. "The letter requested that I keep an extra close eye on you; after all of that unfortunate business with Patricia Rakepick last year."

"They were furious when they found out, I thought they were going to withdraw me from school."

"Miss Harper it is our responsibility here at Hogwarts that you complete your schooling so that you can enter society as a well-rounded and capable witch. Without your NEWT levels how will you enter the workforce?"

"I had assumed they would send me overseas to finish school. Mother was so angry."

"I remember Rhys Harper and Charlotte Baker quite well in fact."

"You taught my parents, Professor?"

"Indeed, I was their Transfiguration Professor for a number of years before I took up my post as Headmaster. Your mother was an exceptionally gifted student, very driven. Incredibly hard on herself."

"Professor, my mother was a Slytherin, and my brother was a Slytherin. Can the Sorting Hat get it wrong? I begged it not to sort me into Slytherin. I didn't want everyone to compare me to Jacob."

"The Hat has the ability to look into the deepest desires of our is nothing to suggest you are unworthy of Ravenclaw House."

"But I think about Rakepick, We all looked up to her, wanted to be like her. I'm afraid that I see some of myself in her."

"Miss Harper, the hat will help us see our most defining traits but lest you forget that Patricia Rakepick was sorted into Gryffindor. Despite being courageous and brave; none of us are immune to the temptations of fortune and power. While you share some qualities with Miss Rakepick you are not destined to go down the same dark path. If you had been sorted into Slytherin; you would be immensely proud of that fact, no?"

"Well yes, I suppose I would."

"So let me ask you why you do not feel the same pride in wearing blue robes?"

"I..." Everly paused for a moment. "I'm not intelligent enough."

"I'm afraid I'm not following."

"My OWL exams results were not good enough. I'm not enough."

"Whatever gave you that idea?"

"Two of my classes were 'Exceeds Expectations'."

"If you were already the best at everything at Hogwarts then my Professor's would be out of a job. There would be nothing to teach you. In fact I'm unsure that any student in your year received seven 'Outstandings'. There is always room to grow and something to learn. Your father Rhys was one of the most naturally talented Wizard's I have met, and even he had to have tutoring. Not just anyone can get a position as an Unspeakable at the Ministry."

"What if I'm not supposed to do any of these great things? I never asked for R to take an interest in me, I just want to find my brother and live a normal quiet life. I don't need an extraordinary job or to be the very best at anything. I'm so tired."

"Everly-Grace Harper, what Patricia Rakepick did to you wasn't fair. Betrayal like that is something no one should have to go through. Whatever you decide to do with your life after Hogwarts, you will make it extraordinary. I would like you to do something this year. Go join the potions club, try every flavour of 'Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans', drink a Butterbeer, go make a friend, it would be a shame if your fixation on these vaults caused you to miss out on the best years of your life. Now go along and re-join your friends in the Great Hall. I will be along momentarily. I am sure everybody is rather peckish by now."

Everly made it to the Great Hall just in time. Talbott was sitting with Andre, Tulip and Rowan. The Ravenclaw table was absolutely full so she was happy just to tack on the end with some third-years. Andre signalled her over and asked everyone if they could scooch down. She squeezed in-between Andre and Talbott and he gave her a smile. Their legs were touching but he didn't seem to mind. He leaned over and asked her quietly "Was everything alright in Dumbledore's office?"

"He's not packing me up and sending me home; thankfully."

Talbott's hand found hers under the table and gave it a squeeze. "That's reassuring. I was quite looking forward to our studies this year."

"Why wouldn't you..." She was unsure what he meant by his statement.

"I'd have to leave too of course, where you go, I go."

Everly blushed and squeezed his hand back with vigour.

They watched the sorting ceremony with interest as the new gaggle of exhausted first-years were all waiting to find out whose house they would belong to. Most of them looked terrified. "Talbott?" She leaned over to him.

"Hmmm?"

"Would you have still been interested in me if I'd been sorted into Slytherin?"

The Ravenclaw narrowed his gaze at her. "What kind of question is that?"

"Must you always deflect a question with a question?" Evie had no patience for his snark.

"Of course I would, even if I was in the superior house." He teased.

"I wouldn't let the Slytherin's hear you say that."

"What's gotten into you?"

"Nothing." She said quietly and a little too defensively. Talbott raised an eyebrow at her and she relented. "I'm just feeling a little lost and...inadequate." No matter what happened this year, she was going to let somebody down. Herself? Talbott? Dumbledore? Her friends? She wasn't sure.

"Inadequate? Everly-Grace, there are so many words I could use to describe you and 'inadequate' isn't even in the realm of possibilities."

The first class of Everly-Grace's sixth year began with Divination. The climb up the tower stairs was steep but she couldn't help but smile at the flowing red curtains draped everywhere and the comfy stools to sit on. It was cozy, she would need to be careful not to fall asleep. She tucked into a table opposite Tonks. Talbott was seated in the row of tables and chairs behind her next to Chiara. Professor Trelawney began by introducing herself and asking around the room why each student had taken up her class. Barnaby, Liz and Ismelda were all questioned before Trelawney circled around to Everly-Grace.

"And you dear...Why have you elected to take Divination Class?"

Everly was a skeptic, just like her boyfriend. "I don't believe anyone can really 'see' the future. I suppose you'll either prove me right or wrong."

"Yes. I will." Her response had an air of finality to it.

Talbott scoffed. "Which one? Right or wrong?"

Trelawney zeroed in on him with a smile. "What an insightful question, Mr Winger. You're a Ravenclaw no doubt."

Talbott's eyebrows could not rise any higher and their classmates smirked as though Trelawney didn't realise they all wore robes of their house colours. She proceeded to explain they would be studying Tessomancy for their first lesson, and that three of them will smash their teacups. Tonks couldn't stop laughing; she was having a great time. Liz and Chiara quite enjoyed their Chamomile tea, Jae took a nap and Talbott drank his as slow as possible; he hated tea. Ismelda was struggling to read the gunk at the bottom of her teacup so Trelawney went over to help interpret. When she came back across to Everly-Grace, Sibill Trelawney gasped and threw her hands up to her face, her eyes closed. "Changes swirling around you...Endings...Final endings...Prices to pay...The ultimate price..."

"Ultimate price. Like...a death?" The threat from R against one of her friends came crashing back to the forefront of her mind.

"It's gone. The vision is gone." Trelawney was back to her normal self.

"What does that mean?" Everly was slightly unsettled by a prediction so very different from anything else they had seen that lesson.

"It means many things...just be careful my dear." Trelawney floated off to interpret the other teacups in the class and Everly sat there uncomfortably. She glanced over at Talbott who gave her a worried look.

Less than a week into term Beatrice Haywood discovered a petrified student and it was evident the final cursed vault had struck Hogwarts. Everly-Grace wasted no time. Talbott helped her gather Dittany from the greenhouse to gift to the centaurs along with a star chart from Badeea and rock cakes from Hagrid. She needed to know if Trelawney was onto something with her vision; any of her friends could be the next to be petrified and she was worried about them. Charlie was depressed after Rakepick betrayed them in the vault and was lonely now that Bill had graduated, despite having three brothers at school this year. He told Everly-Grace that he was thinking of leaving Hogwarts to move to Romania early to train dragons. She convinced him to stay but now felt guiltier than ever. She never would have taken Charlie into the buried vault if she knew he would react like this.

In their Divination class that afternoon Evie told Talbott about Charlie and how she felt guilty.

"Pfft. Weasley is big enough to make his own decisions. The way he's feeling isn't your fault, if he wants to throw away his schooling to live with dragons then let him."

Professor Trelawney hushed them to begin the class; this time on Palmistry.

"Your future rests in the palm of your hand, but first you must broaden your minds!" She proclaimed enthusiastically waving her hands around.

Talbott leaned forward from his table behind Everly-Grace. "Trelawney certainly loves her theatrics." He said quietly and Evie gave him a playful smack in response.

Evie spent the next fifteen minutes with Liz trying to determine the difference between the heart and head lines while she overheard Talbott say to Chiara that "According to Trelawney, I have a 'water hand', whatever that means."

During the last part of the lesson they were all instructed to switch partners. Tonks moved down to sit with Everly-Grace and Talbott stayed on the table behind them with Liz. Jae was sleeping on his books again.

Evie tried to read Tonk's palm but was struggling due to all of the ink across it. "Tonks, did you draw extra lines on your hand?"

"Just make up something for Trelawney. The more nonsensical, the better." She replied before grasping hold of Everly's palm.

Evie lowered her voice "I'm not sure I want to know what my heart line has to say about my love life." Talbott's eagle ears pricked up and she saw him glance straight down at her. She turned pink and kept staring straight at Tonks.

Talbott returned his concentration to Liz's palm. "You're either going to be healthy or have a prolonged illness..." Divination was always full of contradictions.

Everly was still inspecting Tonk's hand. "This class has made me good at making things up quickly, if nothing else."

Liz had taken hold of Talbott's hand now. "Your early life may have been full of obstacles, but things will get better."

Everly's glanced up at them and Talbott was starting to look like a mixture between skeptical and sad; before Liz burst out with excitement "Oh my, your heart line looks really interesting, Talbott."

She dropped Tonk's hand straight onto the tablecloth and got to her feet so she had height.

Talbott closed his hand with a smirk. "I see you sneaking a peek at my palm." He feigned indignation as though the contents of his heart line were a secret."

Tonks grabbed Evie's hand forcing her to sit back down. "Your fate line shows either a lot of obstacles in store, or a lot of cheese." She laughed and Everly just shook her head.

That night after dinner Bill Weasley had summoned Everly-Grace and all of her friends to the DADA classroom but she wasn't sure why. Talbott said he had to study in the library but she could fill him in later. He kissed her on the cheek as they parted ways on the Grand Staircase.

When she got there, everyone else had already arrived and was milling about talking amongst themselves. Everly went up to Bill and greeted him with a hug. He embraced her tightly.

"Everly-Grace! It's good to see you again." His brow furrowed for a moment. "I've heard rumours you've been speaking with Mad-Eye Moody. Is everything alright?"

"Don't bother asking, Bill." Charlie told his brother. "Mad-Eye Moody swore Everly-Grace to secrecy." The only person she had told about 'R' was Talbott.

"I've missed you, Everly-Grace, secrets and all. Have you missed me since I've been gone?"

"Of course I've missed you, Bill." Evie was feeling rather flushed; she wasn't sure why. "We all have." She added on hastily.

Bill smiled at her warmly before explaining to the group that Dumbledore had given him permission to use the classroom after hours to tutor them in defensive spells. Their current professor was somewhat lacklustre and Bill wanted to make sure everyone was prepared in case Rakepick returned to endanger Hogwarts. The lesson went really well, and afterwards while the room was thinning out Bill called out to Everly.

"Everly-Grace, do you mind hanging back? I was hoping we could talk." Bill thanked her for looking out for Charlie and talking him into staying at Hogwarts. He had been so busy trying to process Rakepick's betrayal himself that he hadn't stopped to think about how the rest of the group were doing; especially Charlie. Everly was finding it difficult to concentrate on much of what Bill was saying. He looked so different out of Hogwarts robes; almost like he had grown up overnight. She had always had a bit of a crush, she definitely found him attractive; but he was two and a half years older than her and she knew he would never be interested. Besides, she was very much in love with Talbott and would never jeopardize that. The sound of her boyfriend's name from Bill's lips shook her out of her ministrations.

"I'm sorry Bill, what did you say?"

He laughed and repeated his question. "I said I didn't see Talbott here tonight. Is everything alright between the two of you?"

"Oh yes, everything's fine. He just wanted to do some extra study. Snape is being especially hard on us at the moment, trying to prepare us for the NEWTs next year. I'll make sure I drag him along to your next session though. We can never know enough defensive spells."

The next couple of weeks went past in a blur. Rumours were swirling that Jacob had been spotted around Hogwarts and Everly-Grace wasted no time in trying to find him. She only managed to track him down for a few minutes in Knockturn Alley where he told her that he was investigating an assassin that had been sent after herself and Merula. Not long after that Everly and Jacob found a message in his room that had been transfigured into a white quill. It read "You still owe us a friend's life - and we intend to collect - R". A second student had also been found petrified. Evie was becoming more and more anxious that this year was rapidly spiralling out of control. She decided to pay a visit to the owlery to look for the white owl that was certain to have a connection to R and was not surprised to find Talbott hiding away in the tower.

"I still can't believe how many owls are up here." She exclaimed. Talbott turned to face her from his perch at the window with a smile. "Have we met? I don't believe I've seen you around Hogwarts before. Talbott Winger, at your service." He cheekily took her hand and raised it to his lips, pressing a long kiss into her knuckle. He pulled her closer into an embrace.

Everly laughed. "I know! I'm sorry I haven't been around much, everything's gone mad with this curse. Did you see a second student was petrified?"

"Yes. The whole school is in a panic, I've been spending more and more time up here trying to find peace and quiet." His attention was now on sweeping the hair away from her neck and planting kisses below her ear.

All Evie could think about was how good it felt to have him kiss her but he was too distracting.

"Tal..."

"Mmmmm?" He murmured, gradually moving down to focus on her shoulder, one hand brushing teasingly up against the top buttons of her blouse.

"As much as I've missed finding you alone I actually came up here looking for something."

"Was it a dastardly handsome Ravenclaw with a penchant for birds?" He popped her top button.

Everly ran her fingers into his hair and directed him up from her chest. "Sadly no." She determinedly rebuttoned the white shirt before she walked out of here half dressed. "Rakepick's niffler was running around with a white quill that was actually a transfigured message; the logical conclusion is the feather in the quill came from a white owl."

"The message was for you? From Rakepick? What did it say?"

"Well it was from R. They're threatening to claim one of my friend's lives again." She looked at his expression, trying to gain any insight to what he was thinking. "This is so messed up. I thought I'd see if I could track the owl to its owner, what do you think?"

He replied completely deadpan. "I think I need to reconsider my friendship with you Everly-Grace; it could be bad for my health."

Evie shoved him and his lips broke out into a grin. "Talbott, this is serious. I need to do something before somebody gets hurt."

"Have you told Dumbledore?"

"The teacher's and the Ministry are looking for her and they're doing a fine job so far. There's no time to wait for them to catch her." She batted her eyelids, pleading with him. "Do you know if the school or any of the students have a white owl?"

"Not that I can recall, but I'll help you search to make sure."

"You will?"

"If it means you might relax and I get to spend more quality time with my girlfriend then it's as good a reason as any."

The pair transfigured into an eagle and a cat to search the owlery coming up empty handed.

"Well we tried." Everly slipped her arms around his middle. "Thank you for helping me." She reached up with deft fingers, pulling his tie loose and sneaking her lips in behind his collar. Evie pressed her lips against his throat, slow and teasing. She pulled back, looking up at his face from behind long eyelashes. His eyes were intense. He moved his hand and placed it behind her head, embracing her. "I've missed you, Everly."
Talbott pulled her back in to kiss her mouth, it was frantic, pent up, he moved them up against the stone, his lips not leaving hers. The owls all flew from their alcoves most irritated at being interrupted from their perching.

Everly was making small moans, and scrambling to pull his shirt from his pants. She slipped her hands under the cotton and pressed her palms into his back, nails slightly scratching. Talbott always ran hot and she wished there was more opportunity to see him without a shirt. They were both holding back knowing anybody could walk into the tower at any second but this was one of the only places they often found themselves alone together.

Everly's patience had run out. His tie was on the ground and she had unbuttoned his shirt entirely now. She spent a moment admiring his chest before kissing him slowly working her way down his body.

Talbott was trying to reign them in but she was making this difficult.

"Evie..." a strangled moan left him once she was on her knees. "We need to...move this somewhere more private."

She hummed in response, her mouth otherwise occupied.

"Everly!" He was using one arm to brace himself up against the wall and intended to use the other to coax her back to her feet. She ignored him. "Son of a banshee!" He swore under his breath as she continued. He threaded his fingers through her hair and gently held them there, letting her set the pace. "Ev.." A low gutteral sound formed in his throat as he tried to hold on. "Evie I..." He braced hard on the wall holding him upright and pawed at her hair, indicating for her to get off her knees but in response Everly took him further, coaxing him to let go. This boy had given her everything over and over and asked for nothing in return.

Standing up, she looked at him with a grin plastered from ear to ear. "Did that feel...I mean was that...ok?"

Talbott scoffed. He kissed her mouth, pulling away his hand lingered to caress her cheek. "That was...where did I find you?"

"In the Great Hall. I believe you told me off for asking around after you. Those damn eagle ears."

Their bodies were pressed together, still needy, and hot. "Meet me outside the Forbidden Forest in fifteen..." Tal trailed off before he could say 'minutes' and cursed. "Bloody Hell! How could I have forgotten." He was buttoning up his shirt now.

"Tal?" Everly-Grace was readjusting her own clothes and trying to wipe a smudge of lipstick from her chin with her thumb.

"The forest. I knew I had seen a white owl somewhere on the grounds before. I saw it above the grove a while back."

"Really?" She pulled on her sweater. "I have to go look for it!"

Talbott reached for his tie, crumpled against the owlery wall. "Hang on, now? You need to go right now?...of course you do."

"Tal, the sooner I find this owl, the sooner I can track down Rakepick, find the vault and put an end to all of this."

"It's not your job Evie. You're a sixth year at Hogwarts. Let the Professor's handle it."

"Whoever wrote this note has threatened people I care about. Rakepick paid more attention than we all gave her credit for, it wouldn't be hard for her to know I have a boyfriend. It makes you a prime target...and...I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you because of me."

Talbott pulled her close. She melted into his arms.

"I think I need to get around everyone and tell them not to go far alone. It's not safe. I know you value your alone time Talbott but I would feel better if you spent more time around people at the moment."

"It'll take a lot to sneak up on me, eagle ears remember." He tried to reassure her.

"I would still feel better. You're not the only one who worries you know."

"Like I said, I'm sure I'll be fine, but if it will make you feel better I will." He kissed her nose.

Everly-Grace spent the next week and a half chasing down a lead on Rakepick that was flimsy at best. Whenever she would pass her friends in the hallway they would remark on how they haven't seen her outside of class and asked if everything was alright. She tried to give them a wide berth, when she had asked Penny, Charlie and Andre for help they seemed far too busy making friends with a first year Hufflepuff. Cedric Diggory seemed like a nice enough boy, but even Diego was too preoccupied making sure Cedric wasn't going to overtake him as Hufflepuff's most popular male. A part of her was pleased they were too busy for her, it was safest far away from her right now.

It didn't take long for Mad Eye Moody to corner her again, this time to warn her that a dark wizard had neutralized an entire Auror guard and had escaped custody while being moved to Azkaban and that they were en route to Hogwarts. He warned her not to go anywhere alone and to keep all of her friends close.

Everly was miserable, was this the same assassin Jacob had warned her about? She made her way to Divination and sat down next to Talbott.

"You're never going to believe this." He said to her quietly. "Trelawney divined that I'm a cat person." He was smiling at her. Everly had never been so pleased that her Animagus was a cat. He held her hand under the table.

"Tal...I need to talk to you."

"That sounds serious."

She wanted to talk to him but Professor Trelawney interrupted before she had the chance.

"Welcome once again to Divination, today we will be..." She stopped and her hands flew to her head. "...wait...something disturbing has entered my sight...an escape, a threat, freedom!"

The class began to murmur.

"My Inner Eye is showing me a Dark Wizard has escaped Auror custody and has been sighted nearby."

Ismelda rolled her eyes. "I saw the same thing! On the cover of today's Daily Prophet. Rita Skeeter already broke the story." She pulled out a copy of the paper and threw it on her table. Trelawney tried to save face that she had divined the escapee would be the headline and instructed the class to see what they could divine from the article.

The class took the opportunity just to chatter amongst themselves. Most of Everly's friends seemed very uneasy, but none more so than Talbott who had gripped her hand perhaps a little hard. She looked over at him and tried to reassure him. Evie ran her thumb across the back of his hand.

"Talbott...it's going to be alright."

"If an Azkaban escapee is on the way here I need to be ready to fly at any moment." He said quietly. "It's obvious we're not safe at Hogwarts anymore."

"Tal..." She hated seeing him like this. He looked spooked.

"...I need to go. Come find me after class." Talbott stood up. "Professor, may I be excused?"

"What is so urgent Mr Winger?"

"I need to speak with Professor McGonagall, it can't wait."

"If it mustn't wait then you must."

Talbott took that as permission and left without a word. He walked swiftly down the tower and over to the west side of the castle and up the stairs to the Divination classroom where a first year class was in session. He pushed open the door gingerly and every head turned to stare at the intrusion. Professor McGonagall's eyes narrowed as he briskly approached her desk.

"May I help you Mr Winger? Can't you see I am a little preoccupied currently?"

"My apologies Professor, this is important."

"Why are you not in class?"

"Professor Trelawney gave me permission to come and see you."

"Oh well I suppose that makes it alright to take my attention away from these first year students. Will you be tutoring them for the time they are losing?"

"Professor, please. I just need a moment."

"You may have one, and only one. Step into the hall Mr Winger." She turned to her class of wide-eyed students who were staring intently. "Continue your reading on the 'Avifors' spell and If I return to find any birds in my classroom there will be punishments."

When the pair were in the hallway Minerva narrowed her gaze at Talbott.

"You have my attention Mr Winger, do not squander it."

"Have you seen the Daily Prophet today, Professor?"

"I have. I certainly hope you have not interrupted my classroom because of the blatherings of Rita Skeeter."

"So there isn't a dangerous fugitive en route to Hogwarts?"

"Keep your voice down Winger! There is no need to incite a panic."

"Professor, I can't be here. It takes one Dark Wizard to hear my name in passing, or see me in flight."

"The Aurors will apprehend him. Alastor Moody has personally assured Professor Dumbledore as much."

"And when that happens he arrives in Azkaban and starts talking about the things he saw here. The students. Winger is not exactly a common surname."

"Talbott." It was a very rare occasion for a professor to address a student by their first name. "If you keep your head down, and stay within the castle you will have nothing to fear. Also might I suggest you keep a respectable distance away from Miss Harper until this matter is settled, if you are so concerned about exposure."

"Are you saying Everly's the reason he's coming here? Is she a target?"

"I am suggesting that Miss Harper seems to attract this sort of trouble. However if you do speak to her before I have the chance, it may be wise to ask her to refrain from leaving the confines of the castle also. She seems to listen to you Winger. Hogwarts is safe and will protect it's students no matter the cost. Now if there was nothing else? I believe you have some teacups to return to."

The stern look on McGonagall's face told Talbott their conversation was over. "Yes Ma'am."

Minerva waited until the young Ravenclaw was out of sight before returning to her classroom.