A/N: Hope everyone's weekend was nice. My brother's birthday was yesterday and his wife had a party. I think we are all getting a bit too old to try and relive the "good ole days". We all survived and I drove 5 hours home with only a small headache. I say the weekend was an overall win.
With the upcoming holiday here in the states, I'm thankful for everyone who reads this (or my other stories), whether the stories or favorited, followed or reviewed, I'm incredibly thankful for you giving my little stories a bit of your precious time. For those celebrating this coming Thursday, I wish you the day you want. For those not celebrating, I still wish you the day you desire.
Finally, I think I mentioned this last chapter, the story is complete and tops out at eighteen chapters. I have the basic outline for third year done, but it's a ways from being posted. I do have a couple of one shots I will add to the collection after this story is complete.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
The boys were pleased to hear their break had been extended and took advantage of the extra few days to continue their training for when they'd return to school and the Quidditch season. Hermione was upset at having another week before she had the chance to learn anything new. While the boys gave her a bit of hassle about it, they all agreed they too were ready to return. The children were generally fine with the idea until their parents explained had happened over the last week at the castle.
"Will Hogwarts close?" Hermione would be inconsolable if the beast that wanted her was the reason the ancient school closed. Her voice quivered a bit and everyone worried over her reaction to what Lucius would tell them.
"We hope not Hermione, the DMLE is still in talks with the merpeople and until they get into the lake, we remain in this current state of limbo. We don't know where the entrance is and cannot guarantee the safety of anyone. For at least this next term, the students will still be taught at Hogwarts, but it won't be at the castle. This provides the DMLE more time to find the entrance and determine the best way close it safely. Hopefully they will be able to deal with the beast but if not, it will be secured in the chamber until a safe and workable plan is identified."
"Ok Lucius, I understand. I'm just upset the school is closing because of me." Before the young witch could continue she was interrupted by multiple voices. It was Lucius who quieted the group and addressed what Hermione finally admitted.
"Hermione, it isn't your fault. It really isn't. The beliefs leading to this didn't start last year or in the last ten years. These beliefs started to really take hold with the statue of secrecy was implemented. For hundreds of years magical beings believed themselves better than those without magic. For those who were born with magic but from parents without magic, resentment began to build. Again it wasn't their fault they had magic, it was part of them. Like having brown hair or grey eyes, it's determined a bit by faith. There's no way for a set of parents to select what their child will look like, it's up to the gods. So right now, this could have happened years ago or it could have been held off until years in the future."
Lucius was proud when he saw acceptance in Hermione's eyes. "Good dear, now the plan is for the new school to be ready in a day or two allowing the professors a day to get their personal space and rooms set up. However, if you'd all like, we can visit the new school and take a little tour." The children were actually excited to see their new school and jumped at the idea. Once everyone was bundled in their warmest clothes, it was almost the middle of January after all, the group each grabbed a portion of the parchment before the portkey activated.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
After the tour and giving the place an all around thumbs up, Draco stood and looked in the distance. There was something familiar about the area, but he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. After a more intense look around he did notice something that was unacceptable. "Where's the pitch? How can we practice, let alone play without a proper pitch?" While the adults did love the sport it hadn't really been on anyone's mind until Draco mentioned it.
"Draco, I will admit it wasn't something we thought about. This was a bit of a last minute thing. I'll make a few calls and see what we can do. Alright?" The boys were more upset about the possibility of no quidditch than Hermione had been about getting an extra week of break, making the adults chuckle.
After returning to the Manor, the children discussed their new school and everyone agreed to give it a chance. Harry did joke about seeing Oliver's face when he realized there wasn't a pitch. "He is going to cry, I will bet on it. I think he says something about how you can't cancel quidditch." The group laughed as they went off to enjoy the unexpected extra days. After a surprising quick week, the had packed their trunks and were ready for the next day when they would arrive at Kings Cross and the Hogwarts Express. All wondered just what new surprises awaited them.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
After departing Kings Cross, Draco and Harry started to tell everyone about how great the new buildings were. While the boys continued to talk about the dorms and how updated everything looked, Daphne had settled next to Hermione and the pair began to discuss the same topic. "Are you ok Hermione? I heard them say the library would be transferred so you won't miss out on that. I have to admit I look forward to being able to go home on the weekend if I wanted." Daphne loved the chance to get away from her family but discovered after about a month she began to miss them and to have the opportunity to see them (and remember why she was excited about boarding school) was quite appealing to the young witch.
"I'm fine, really I am, Mum and Dad, Lucius and Narcissa, and even the boys really helped me to understand this was a chance for the school to expand what it is. While Hogwarts has been the school of tradition, there are things we can do here that can't be done there. It will be great." Hermione smiled for real and leaned into Daphne whispering. "Have they brought up quidditch yet?"
"Surprisingly they haven't. Why? It's not like you to bring it up." Daphne wondered if someone had cursed her best friend.
"It's not that. Watch." Speaking a bit more loudly, Hermione focused on the two boys holding court. "Harry have you offered the others a spot in the pool. Right now the odds are even and were is the fun in that?" Hermione had been drafted to keep track of the bet and decided to add odds to the play and right now, neither boy had anything more than pride on the line.
Surprised, Harry slowly shook his head. "No, I didn't think we wanted to let that out just yet. I mean, we won't see the immediate reaction if there are rumors." Hermione's smirk told Harry he should just let the cat out of the bag. The wizard scowled slightly at his friend and turned the rest. "So apparently when Lucius was planning, he hadn't thought about a pitch. And while it looked like there was more than enough land, there isn't anything yet. Lucius said he'd sort it. So after we got home I mentioned how I thought Oliver Wood would be in tears when he realized there was no pitch. Thus the bet between Draco, Blaise and I. Hermione added odds and apparently she thinks we need more people involved. I want to keep it a secret, so only us are in the pool. Agreed Hermione?"
Hermione nodded while pulling a piece of parchment from the bag at her feet. All the boys lined up and they began to discuss the options and if there could be new alternatives added. The bets were a single galleon each. The current options were for Wood noticing before angrily sobbing that quidditch can't be cancelled. The second was him slipping out with the help from a Gryffindor prefect and taking his time only to find the grounds too large to search totally and being incredibly scared quidditch was no longer a sport. The final was for him to not notice until after the welcoming feast when he went to inspect the suitability of the pitch. His search would be extensive and he would end up getting lost. He'd be found the next morning.
The rest of the boys laughed and agreed the options were on point before each dropping one galleon into Hermione's hand. Hermione stated if none of those outcomes occurred the pot would roll over to next the bet. Shortly after settling the final bets, Hermione safely stored the money and parchment before pulling out her school robes. "Daphne, I'm going to change if you'd like to join me." The pair of witches left before returning twenty minutes later to find their friends had taken the chance to get themselves ready. The boys were in the middle of debating the slate of professional matches that took place over the holiday making Hermione waved her arms in frustration. Daphne let out a startled gasp looking not at Hermione's face but her wrist.
"I didn't expect this." As Daphne caught the other witch's waving arm before she continuing her comments. "What is this?" Gently looking at the charm bracelet, Daphne's eyes cut to Draco who was sitting a bit proudly on the bench. The debate was still going on, but Draco was more focused on the girls now. "You didn't mention this in your letter."
Hermione blushed and smiled shyly when she too looked at the bracelet. "It was a new year's present. It's beautiful isn't it?" Hermione pulled Daphne back to their seats and began to tell her about the charms before mentioning Draco's note. Daphne, who had been raised to recognize tradition when she saw it. Nodded sagely before looking to Draco, who gave one firm nod and returned to his conversation.
"It is very lovely. Did you show Narcissa?" Daphne didn't think the Malfoy family would stoop to tricking Hermione, but as a muggleborn there were things she might not really understand. Not wanting Hermione to think Daphne didn't trust Draco, she stopped from saying anything else and watched her friend lightly finger the charms.
Hermione didn't look up and spoke quietly so only Daphne could hear. "Yes, this gift has many meanings. I'm not sure I can totally explain it. Draco is someone who is very important to me. This bracelet shows everyone he considers me important. It protects me from someone trying to gain favor through deceit and trickery. It gives Draco the ability to protect me. It gives me the ability to protect Draco." Daphne smiled knowing all those things were wrapped up in courting. "We're too young to really court yet, but it's not something I think I would be against. I know you saw our kiss, but it wasn't our first. That kiss occurred at the new year's ball before this one. My first one where I got my first kiss. It wasn't on purpose but it's one of my happiest memories."
"I'm glad he gave it to you. It's beautiful and I'm sure will cause quite a bit of gossip once we arrive. Draco will be impossible eventually. He's the first in our year to gift jewelry, and that is something important to some of the more traditional families." The girls laughter was interrupted when the announcement was made about arriving in twenty minutes. Wherever the school was, it was much closer to Kings Cross than the Scottish Highlands.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
It took a bit longer to direct all the students toward the carriages after the train pulled into the station called Hogwarts No. Two, but eventually they were all on their way and Sophie thought she might need another holiday. "I didn't expect it to be so difficult." Minerva was rubbing her forehead.
"Agreed, let's get the rest of the staff here in the carriages and get ourselves back. I'm sure Severus will have everything in hand by the time we arrive, but it's best to not leave him alone too long. The students may all have detention before too long."
The trip to the school was quick and soon Sophie was standing in front of her students once more. After welcoming them, she explained what had occurred over the holidays and why they weren't at the castle. The majority of the students were relieved they were still students of Hogwarts and their safety was finally a priority. The few who weren't happy were grumbling about how the castle was just a cooler place. Sophie shrugged, she knew she couldn't please everyone.
After the dishes from the first lunch of the final term had been cleared from the tables, the students were quietly talking and Sophie knew it would take a far amount of time to tour the new facility so she stood and finally the students quieted.
"Now before we head to the dorms there are a few changes. Since these buildings aren't as large as the castle some alterations were made to the living accommodations. We can't sort by house, so the dorms are by year and gender. Half of each floor is a dedicated common study area with the remainder split between sleeping quarters. There are rooms with five beds each and a bed for each student but how you arrange yourselves is entirely up to you. As for the prefects, given the new layout, I've requested our head students set up a new patrolling schedule. What that means, is there will be four prefects doing rounds. One set will be assigned to the school and library, while the other will be for the dorm building and hall. Questions can be asked to the head students."
The hall was silent as a tomb. The dissolving of the houses was something no one expected. Sophie saw it as a test to see if the students could truly learn where someone sleeps doesn't make them better or worse. In fact the sorting hat giggled in glee when it was told of the plan.
"The professors will be on the topmost floor of the dorm building and all will be available if the need arises. Now I think that's enough let's get on with the tour."
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
The tour took more time than Sophie expected due to how the students were divided and escorted by two professors. Every class year had multiple questions for their professors making the tours drag. Harry, Draco, and Blaise were concerned Wood would realize the lack of a pitch and they'd his reaction. Luckily for them, he hadn't made any comments on the pitch most likely due to how much new information they were being provided.
Once the tours were over, the students returned to hall for dinner and to catch up with their friends before turning in for the night. While the long house tables were replaced with smaller round and oblong tables, the older students in each house still tended to flock together.
Harry and his friends grabbed a few tables and were catching up on everyone's holiday, before Oliver Wood placed his hand on Harry's shoulder and beckoned the second year to follow him. Oliver didn't want to say anything since members of the opposition were seated at the table and due to his stealth, no one would realize the point of pulling Harry away from his friends was to discuss the new quidditch tactics he worked out over the extended holiday. Draco chuckled until he heard his name and saw the entirety of the Slytherin team gathering around a table that had been pulled into a secluded corner. The rest of Slytherin moved to protect the team from curious ears.
Within fifteen minutes all four teams were huddled up going over plans. The Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff teams were quietly informed of the missing pitch and asked to keep it a secret for a bit longer. After they questioned why it was a secret, the bet was detailed and chuckles were heard from each team. The second year boys all ended up with a parchment of who bet on what and bag of galleons and each decided to keep these bets outside of the original. When Hermione received three bags of galleons and the associated parchments after returning to their shared common room later, each boy was presented with a questioning look from the witch. Their responses were identical, Hermione was the most responsible after all and each of the other house teams realized she would be the best to handle such a delicate proposition. Hiding how pleased she was, Hermione released and semi-dramatic sigh, before accepting the items.
As the team meetings drew to a close, the teams returned to their friends, everyone kept an obvious watch on the Gryffindor team. The lions remained in their group meeting for an extra thirty minutes before the professors began to shuttle the students toward their dorms. Harry, as the only Gryffindor player in the bet, kept close as close as he could to his team captain. As the second year dorm loomed closer, Harry finally heard Oliver whispering with the prefect from his year. He told the prefect to cover for him while he checked out the pitch. Harry quickly signaled the others and the second years quickly made their way to the common room and the windows overlooking the front of the school. From there the students watched the Gryffindor captain leave.
Harry and Draco quickly realized once Oliver entered the trees, their ability to provide the actual outcome would be lost. Being the sneaky second year wizards they were, the boys decided to follow Oliver using the cloak from Regulus and Hermione silenced their footsteps. Blaise declined his invitation, it was too cold and he really didn't care one way or another. With only the two small second years, Harry and Draco agreed to not speak unless something was drastically wrong. Draco kept track of the school while Harry tracked Oliver. After two hours the second years gave up and returned to the school with none the wiser.
When the sun rose the next morning, the second years were some of the first students to arrive in the hall for breakfast. Since it was a Sunday, classes wouldn't start until the next day. When the captains of the Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff teams each approached their second year teammates, the second year would just shake his head. It was about forty-five minutes later when a disheveled Oliver Wood was led into the Hall by Professors McGonagall and Snape, it seemed the captain of the Lions had spent the night outside and was openly crying. "But Professors you can't let quidditch be cancelled! It's a tradition to have teams." The tables were watching with confusion, some were confused why Wood was saying quidditch was canceled and the others were trying to figure out who won the bet. Snape shook his head and directed the boy toward the mediwitch and the infirmary.
The headmistress sat with a look of shear disbelief on her face. She didn't understand why people loved that sport, but berated herself for not mentioning the pitch issue the night before. There just had been so many other things and the pitch had never entered her mind. With a sigh she stood to address the students who were now loudly talking about the recent development.
"Everyone, if I can have your attention." The students stopped and turned their attention to the headmistress. "It seems I should have mentioned this during the announcements last night. I will start off with saying quidditch is not nor will it be canceled. It had been brought our attention there wasn't a pitch the day before you arrived. We are currently in discussions on where practice will be and whether the games will be played there or not. I hope to have some answers for you before the end of the week. Due to this delay the season will be pushed back one week to make up for the practices you may or may not miss. Once we have more information I will provide it to you. Now, curfew rules still apply as do the rules regarding leaving the school after dark."
At this point Oliver ran into the hall with a relieved smile and announced quidditch would still be played. After his euphoric comment, he decided to lay on the floor and get some sleep. Severus looked to Minerva and seemed to say he's your problem now. With a sigh, Minerva levitated the exhausted wizard back toward the steps to the infirmary. She'd assess detentions once he was actually released.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
Hermione had decided they would be no winner to the bet and held the coins for the next time the boys decided to bet on something inane. She also requested the bets from the three teams be returned. She didn't want to track that many people. After sending everyone off on their errands, Hermione pulled out her notes and began to review her second year work before turning to her advanced lessons. Over the holidays Professors McGonagall and Snape gave short lessons almost everyday to make sure the trio would be on track for the end of the year. It also gave the children a break from the continued thoughts about the beast and how to find its home.
Hermione reviewed her potion notes on her next potion assignment and brewing instructions for the practical. The undetectable poison potion would be the most difficult one she had done so far. Slowly Hermione began to work through the instructions until she believed she could do it when it counted. Her transfiguration work included practicing the Draconifors Spell which Draco admitted was his favorite. Chuckling at the memory, Hermione practiced changing her hair ribbon into a dragon and then back. Only once did the ribbon roar and release a burst of fire from the end.
After getting comfortable she was ready for her extra classes, Hermione set about reviewing her notes once more for the next day. That was how Daphne found Hermione about an hour later. The Gryffindor had stretched out on her bed and held her notes over her head.
"You already know it Hermione, let's go out to the common room for a bit." Daphne pled with Hermione before the other girl agreed.
"Ok, but let me put everything away." Hermione organized her books and notes for the next day and placed them in her bag. The rest of the items were neatly stacked and set in her trunk. She then put the bag in her trunk and locked it before placing a protection spell on it. She and boys were still leery about who had caused the explosion months earlier and decided they should keep their items locked when they didn't have them on their persons. Daphne thought it was a bit of overkill, but then again her best friend and two other close friends were almost badly injured with that explosion.
As at Hogwarts, the dorms were charmed so no boys could enter the girl's room and to the chagrin of the Gryffindors, no girls could enter the boy's room. After Hermione and Daphne departed, a pair of eyes glared at the retreating figures before turning towards the room Hermione and friends had selected. The muggleborn would pay for showing up. She would pay with what she cared about most. Her school work. A quiet but ominous giggle was heard followed by footsteps.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*
About five minutes after settling with their friends, Hermione's wand began to buzz. Right after Hermione's wand started so did Harry and Draco's wands. They knew the buzzing would mean someone was messing with their stuff, but they weren't sure whose. Before they could make a plan to check on everything Professors McGonagall and Snape breezed into the room and motioned for everyone to remain. Severus walked directly into the boy's dorm while Minerva took the girls. A moment later Professors Sprout and Flitwick walked into the dorm and called for the students to gather round them. A ripple of nervousness made its way around the dorm before the professors calmed everyone.
"No worries students. We've set up some protection wards and alarms on the dorms. One was tripped we are just investigating." The students murmured about who and what would cause the alarm to be tripped when Severus walked out empty handed and nodded to Pomona. The Herbology professor moved more quickly than anyone had ever seen and was in the girl's dorm almost immediately. There were sounds from the door way, but no one was close enough to hear what was being said. It was another ten minutes before a resounding 'Protego' was shouted. In a moment Severus and Filius both jumped into action. Severus strode toward the door while Filius sent a silver streak from his wand and toward the school.
Severus murmured a few incantations and passed the boundary into the girl's dorm. More sounds were heard and a crash or two. When the headmistress and the rest of the professors entered the room, Filius quickly explained before Sophie started to bark out orders.
After turning the students over to the other professors, Sophie quietly walked toward the entrance and became invisible. Hermione added another thing to list of things she needed to investigate later. These might take a bit more priority since a shield charm could help protect herself or friends and to become invisible without the use of a cloak, there were multiple uses for that sort of spell. No one could understand what was taking the professors so long. If a student was in there, how could that person take on four fully trained witches and wizard. 'Incarcerous' was the next spell heard before the entirety of the second year floor was awash in silence. Finally a shuffling noise was heard and Professor Sprout exited first. The headmistress was next out and motioned for all the students to follow her. She moved the second years to the far corner of the room and erected a number of shields and charms that turned the room blurry. Only after hearing the headmistress say clear, did Professor McGonagall exited with someone on her opposite side. Professor Snape followed closely behind. While the students couldn't see much, they could tell their potion professor was following with his wand drawn.
"Professors, please get your charges and have them immediately go to the hall. We will address this together. Paulo and Mitchell, please act as the heads of your houses until Severus and Minerva are able to join us. I will pick up the first years on the way downstairs." The professors took their orders and too left the dorm. "I will explain everything but I will tell you, your belongings are safe, that is why it took as so long. The student was using your personal items as shields and bolting between the various sleeping quarters. But nothing was damaged."
The students wondered what was going on and dutifully followed their headmistress as she collected the first years and the group made their way toward the hall. They had barely made it to the bottom of the steps before they heard the distinct roar of the rest of the students. Sophie paused and allowed the remainder of the student body to arrive. Now the student body had professors surrounding them. Still standing outside of the hall the headmistress turned toward her students.
"Everyone, when we are in the hall I want you to quickly and quietly find a seat and sit down. There has been an incident in the second year girl's dorm. We will explain but for now go and sit." The students in a surprising move, followed their instructions and within a few minutes were quietly seated watching the front of the room. The seventh years, prefects and head students were at the end of the line with their wands drawn as well. Everyone noticed how well the group worked together. Too bad it took something like an attack by a student for everyone to forget about house rivalries.
Sophie and a few of the professors moved to the front while the remaining professors fanned across the room. It was immediately obvious how the year of uncertainty had affected older students. Without a word to anyone the prefects began to fill in the gaps at the front with the seventh years and head students staying toward the back with half of them turned toward the doors.
The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor watched from his position at the back of the hall pleased with what he say. His students assessed the situation and didn't wait for instruction. They positioned themselves in order to protect each other's back and the rest of the students. He also noticed everyone of the students, while no longer having their wands drawn, were in a stance allowing them to quickly put up shields and volley their own spells.
Sophie watched her students position themselves as a second line of defense and found herself in a quandary. Like her DADA professor she was pleased to see how maturely her oldest students reacted, but at the same time, she was incredibly saddened. Schools shouldn't be a place to create soldiers, but seemingly it was the result for these poor children. "Your attention, I believe no additional protection is required; however, I have no issue with those still standing to remain ready. I am expecting others to arrive shortly but they will come to my office and through this door." Sophie pointed toward a door off to the side of the main table. Those facing the front nodded in understanding. "There was an incident this evening in the second year girl's dorm. The individual directly responsible has been apprehended for questioning and after restraining the student, we found a number of spells had been placed on the student directly. We have informed the Ministry and are waiting to hear what their response. For the benefit of the professors and for me, we are going to have you all remain in the hall until those answers are provided."
With a wave of her hand, the students began to talk quietly to each other trying to figure out what was happening. Sitting behind Harry, Draco, and Hermione was a table of sixth years discussing how their parents reacted to everything since the start of the school year. "Mum said she never thought Hogwarts to be dangerous until this year. She was a unicorn's hair away from keeping me home. When she hears about this, I may get pulled out. I want to know who it was so I know who to blame. I don't want to be homeschooled." The grumbles got a little quieter and the trio looked to each other.
"It's not going to happen Hermione, Mum will make sure we are taught regardless. But I can't see any of the adults allowing whatever happened to happen again. From how Headmistress Mathews phrased it, the student sounds like she had been cursed." Harry's eyebrows shot up.
"How do you know it was a girl?" Harry noticed how careful and deliberate the words the headmistress used to inform the students both in the dorm and again in the hall.
"Has to be, you saw what Severus had to do to enter the girl's dorm. It seems Mum's charms are strong enough to repel even the professors until they counter it." Intrigued with the mention of Narcissa, Draco nodded to answer the unspoken question. "She had heard rumors while in school about Gryffindor and how the girls could access the boys rooms. Being my mum, she didn't like that and made sure before the layouts were finished for us, they included charms to prohibit access to the dorm rooms by someone of a different gender. It's not some simple overlay which is why, I assume, Severus had to take his time before entering."
Hermione cocked her head to the side and agreed she could see Narcissa doing something like that. "I'm wondering about Lucius. Was he upset about Godric not charming the boy's dorm or was he jealous when Narcissa couldn't visit him?" Hermione barely made it through her question before giggling. Draco shuddered thinking about it before he shrugged and started to laugh himself.
"Well, we could ask him. Look." Harry was subtly pointing to the door by the head table and watched as Lucius stepped out quickly with a few aurors. The blond wizard spoke quickly and quietly to the headmistress. It was only after she gasped did she motion for Professors Sprout and Flitwick. Both had expressions of shock and horror before Professor Sprout ran through the door.
While all this was going on, the students began to try and work out who was missing. It didn't take long for the older years to verifying all their counterparts were present. Hermione began to look around to see if anyone was missing from her house. She counted and knew all the Gryffindor second years were present. She thought Slytherin was present but had Draco verify. She also asked Theo and Neville to check their houses. Theo said everyone was in the hall so all attention turned to Neville.
"We are short one girl." Neville's eyes were looking at each person in the hall, trying to find his missing housemate. It was only when older students noticed Neville, they realized it was a Hufflepuff. The seventh year closet to where Neville and the rest of his friends were seated happened to be a Hufflepuff. The older wizard gently set his hand on Neville's shoulder and simply asked who it was. "Hannah, Hannah is missing."
Hermione gasped and Draco wrapped his arm around Hermione. Hannah Abbott was one of the people Hermione considered a close friend and knowing Hannah would never hurt anyone Hermione was silent but shaking. The seventh year nodded solemnly and retook his position. His eyes began to gaze around the room before he too agreed the only missing Hufflepuff was the Abbott heiress. It didn't take long for the information to spread across the room and for the students to quiet once more. Most were shocked since the girl was known to be the sweetest witch in the school.
Lucius watched the interplay between a very pale Neville and the older student. He assumed Neville had figured out who was missing and Hermione's reaction confirmed it. Mentioning to Sophie the students knew who was responsible, Lucius requested the Headmistress to say nothing more since there were still unanswered questions. The aurors were beginning their investigation as the girl was not acting like herself. Lucius was suspicious and mentioned the fact to the first auror on site, who after realizing the suspect was the young Abbott refused to allow anyone else to touch the girl.
When Lucius returned to the room off the hall, he found two additional aurors and a third man waving their wands at the girl. Hannah, who had never said darn or shucks, was cursing a blue streak at the men and swearing revenge. The third man suddenly paused his movements and stuck his arm out to the others. "Who apprehended the girl?" The wizard's eyes warily looked from the young girl to the professors still stationed in the room.
"Do you mean magically or physically?" McGonagall responded, she was beginning to fear there was something more at play than just a cursed student and the response confirmed her suspicions.
"Both Professor McGonagall, I believe you've already given your statements but please provide me with the condensed version of who sent what spell and how was she transported into the office." The man, who everyone in the room now assumed was an unspeakable, stated in a clear voice.
"Severus was able to get behind Hannah. The spells she had been casting were above what a second year should know and we were trying to make sure we didn't hurt her or the belongings of the other students. Severus was able to get a quick stunner on her then captured her with an incarcerous spell before the petrificus totalus. Once she was contained, Severus cast a locomotor charm and I led her out of the dorm and here."
The unspeakable rubbed his eyes before looking at the professors. "I believe you suspect she had been hit with an imperious curse and to an extent I concur. This is a variation we've been seeing for the last month or so. It's twisted so the person who captures the victim must be the one who removes it. If not, the victim will not recover." There was a stunned silence from those not aware, both professors were shocked to their core. Who would inflict such a curse on a child and one as innocent as Hannah Abbott?
The unspeakable, who knew what his words would do, paused only long enough for the information to sink in before continuing. "In fact, we are very lucky only Minerva has physically touched her. We've found the same result if someone other than the captor touches the victim. This is the first evidenced case where we've had two individuals involved in the apprehension, which makes this a bit more complicated than the other cases we've encountered so far."
As the conversation continued, Hannah felt the incarcerous spell beginning to fade and tested it with a wiggle of her fingers, a sly grin passed her lips. Severus while attentively listening to the conversation kept constant vigilance on the girl and sent a reenforcement spell just after the finger wiggle. The girl hissed and began to curse at the adults again. "What do we need to do to remove this spell? Hannah does not seem to be coming out of it herself." Again the unspeakable nodded.
"No, we've found it to be a very powerful spell not requiring reinforced. Our investigation into the caster is unway. Since the girl is still under the curse, I believe we can run some diagnostic spells. Those results should point us in the correct direction but I can't run those spells without fear of harming her. Professor Snape, I would appreciate your assistance with this task. I will also ask for a vow you will not share or relay the spells you will be using. They are, uh, secrets of the profession, if you will." Severus removed his wand and completed the oath exactly as the unspeakable requested.
Severus was handed a sheet of parchment and began to run diagnostic spell after diagnostic spell. He felt the magic's power as it poured through his wand. It took the man a good hour to get all the spells cast and then another hour before the results were final. After reading the unspeakable nodded and sent his patronus out the window.
"As I suspected, now the difficult part will be to get the girl to the Ministry. I will again need the assistance of both professors. Professor Snape, I will need you to create a portkey; however, the spell used for this is a modified version that allows for the destination to be my office. It's protected, as you can imagine. I'll provide you with the spell and coordinates momentarily. Professor McGonagall, I will need you to travel with the girl to my office. Once there we have a method of containing the victim so they are not harmed either in routing them to St. Mungos or by interactions with other witches and wizards." The professors nodded solemnly and hoped Hannah's result would be more positive than the others vaguely alluded to by the unspeakable.
Severus was handed a piece of parchment with a spell and coordinates, it would serve as the portkey. The spell was truly just a slight variation in movement of the portus spell, ingenious really. Once the portkey was ready, Severus reset the binding spells.
"Minerva I am going to floo over first." The unspeakable, beckoned the professor to his side and whispered additional instructions to the stern transfiguration professor. The surprise at the request was quickly quelled as she agreed before the unspeakable left the office.
"Severus, please let Sophie know and I will return as soon as I am able." Minerva set the parchment on Hannah's hand and grasped the corner of it as the pair spun away. Severus, Lucius and two aurors were now the only individuals in the office and even more confused than before.
*MoT*MoT*MoT*