Chapter 22 - Anonymous Letters

Professor Helsing made her way through the corridors shortly after curfew. She wanted to talk to Dumbledore about something that was troubling her. She heard someone walking towards her and stopped, shrinking back into the shadows to find out who it was without being noticed. She saw that it was Megan Black. She frowned slightly, wondering whether she should approach the girl or not, but found herself curious as to where the girl was going. She watched as Megan looked to each side to see if anyone was watching, then entered a room. Professor Helsing's eyebrows lifted slightly and she continued on her way. She knew what room Megan had entered.

It was the room of requirement. Professor Helsing remembered using the room when she had taught here last. She wondered what Megan would be using the room for at this time of night, but pushed the thought away as she reached the corridor to Dumbledore's office. She whispered the password and the gargoyle leapt aside. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk leafing through some papers when Professor Helsing knocked softly on the door. He looked up and smiled brightly when he saw who it was.

"Come and have a seat" he offered, putting away the papers.

She obliged and he turned back to her.

"To what do I owe this visit?" he asked with a grin.

"I needed to ask you something" she said.

The serious tone in her voice dampened his spirits a little, but he still smiled warmly as he nodded for her to continue.

"What do you know about Megan Black?" she asked, looking him straight in the eye.

His raised his eyebrows in surprise. Whatever he was expecting, that had not been it.

"She is a Gryffindor Prefect" Dumbledore said, thinking. "Her parents are Sirius Black and Melarin Malfoy. She's a good student"

Dumbledore stopped, looking at her questioningly.

"Why do you ask?" he said after a moment, seeing that she was not responding.

"You don't know anything else? Anything about her past?" she asked.

Dumbledore shook his head, a slight frown on his face.

"What's this about Alena?" he asked softly.

She bit her lip as she thought.

"I'm worried about that child" she replied. "She has the darkest aura that I have seen in a long time"

Dumbledore's eyes widened a little and he thought for a moment.

"What do you suggest?" he asked finally.

She shook her head.

"Nothing at the moment. We'll see where it leads" she replied, getting up. "I'd best be going. I'll see you in the morning Albus"

He nodded and she walked out. Dumbledore sat for a moment, thinking hard about what he had just learned.

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The next morning Harry got up and looked out the window. He groaned as he saw that there was a storm. Ron walked out of the bathroom and looked at Harry with a grim expression.

"It's worse outside" he said. "I've called off the try out till next weekend. There's no point in holding them today. We won't be able to see the players that are trying out"

Harry felt a little happier at this as he got dressed and made his way downstairs. He loved quidditch, but really didn't feel like playing in this weather, nor was the idea of standing out in the rain and watching others playing very appealing.

He was met in the common room by Ginny and Hermione. He greeted them both warmly and asked them if they'd seen Megan that morning. Ginny replied that when she got up, Megan wasn't in the dorm. Harry frowned slightly, but thanked her and made his way out of the common room and down to breakfast, hoping that Megan was in the Great Hall. There were no classes today and he was hoping to spend some time with her. He frowned when he saw that she wasn't in the Great Hall either.

He sat down reluctantly and ate breakfast. Ron, Hermione and Ginny joined them, but Harry wasn't much in the mood for socialising now, so he excused himself and began wandering around the halls. He found himself at the library and furrowed his eyebrows. He couldn't believe that he was at the library on a Saturday. He started to walk away when he heard someone call his name from behind him. He turned, a scowl on his face as he looked at the owner of the voice.

It was Malfoy. Malfoy smirked at Harry as he walked closer. He stopped when he was about 5 feet away.

"What do you want Malfoy?" Harry asked in a cold tone.

Malfoy grinned at him.

"What are you doing all alone in the corridors Potter?" Malfoy asked in a polite tone,

"You know it's unsafe for you to wander the corridors by yourself"

Harry stared at him in disbelief.

"And why would it be unsafe?" Harry asked, staring daggers at Malfoy, but waiting for him to make the first move.

Malfoy smirked.

"Because of me" Draco said, pulling out his wand and pointing it at Harry.

Harry reached furiously into his pocket for his own wand, but was distracted when a jet of light sped past his shoulder.

"No one's here to save you now Potter" Malfoy said, his eyes lighting up with happiness as he walked closer. "I told you that you would pay"

Harry reached into his pocket once again as he saw Malfoy begin to mutter another curse, but both boys stopped when they heard another voice. A jet of blue light sped over Harry's shoulder from the other direction and hit Malfoy square in the chest. Malfoy let out a small groan and fell to the floor. Harry spun around to see who it was that had cast the spell and gasped.

Megan was standing behind him. She was looking down at Malfoy with a hatred that Harry had never seen in her eyes before. She looked furious. She bent over Malfoy and whispered something in his ear before muttering another spell. He got up, staring daggers at her, and walked away cursing under his breath.

Megan turned back to Harry and her expression softened.

"I didn't know you wore glasses" Harry said, staring at her.

She blushed slightly.

"I usually wear contacts, but my eyes were sore this morning" she said softly.

Harry smiled at her.

"What spell was that? I've never seen it before" Harry said.

Her expression changed and she glanced nervously at him.

"It doesn't matter. At least he's not bothering you anymore" she replied.

Harry looked at her suspiciously. She sighed.

"Look, can we talk about something else?" she asked, a note of pleading in her voice.

"Alright, well where were you this morning?" He asked.

She smiled again.

"I was in the library" she said. "I saw you at the door and went to see what was keeping you"

Harry nodded slowly. She took his hand in hers and led him into the library and over to a desk that was piled high with books. Harry raised his eyebrows at her.

"OWL's are coming up soon" she said softly as she sat down at the table.

He shook his head slightly as he sat down too, thinking that he had met another Hermione.

"Draco's right you know" Megan said softly. Harry looked at her in disbelief. "You shouldn't be wandering off on your own. It's dangerous"

"I can take care of myself" Harry said defensively, his voice raised slightly.

Madame Pince gave them both a warning glare.

"I know you can Harry, but it's still not good to tempt fate" She said softly, putting a hand on his.

Harry felt the anger seep away and his expression softened. Megan looked down at the books on the table and sighed, picking up a few and leaving the rest for Madame Pince to put away.

"Let's go back to the common room" Megan said, getting up.

Harry nodded and walked with her over to the desk to check out the books with Madame Pince.

The day went rather quickly, and although Megan seemed more preoccupied with study than with spending time with him, Harry was content to play wizard chess with Neville in the common room while she pored over the books. Ron and Hermione had been gone for most of the day and no one had any clue of where they might have gone. The last person to see them, Ginny, had come back to the common room a short time ago, professing to know nothing of her brothers activity's.

At the end of the very close game that Neville had been the victor of, Harry turned to Megan who had slammed shut the book she was studying from and was humming softly as she put her parchments and quills away. She looked up when she felt his eyes on her and smiled shyly before looking down again and flushing a little. Harry looked at the time. Dinner would be served soon.

"Hungry?" he asked, walking over to her.

She looked at the time and nodded, leading the way to the portrait. Harry sighed as he followed her.

They found Hermione and Ron sitting together in the great hall, talking in hushed voices, but refused to disclose anything when Harry questioned them about it. Harry sighed and began to eat without much enthusiasm. Megan had been very quiet throughout, but suddenly put a hand on his shoulder and asked softly

"Are you alright?"

It wasn't much, but it was enough to bring Harry out of his contemplations and earned her a smile, which she returned. There was a screech from above the hall and an owl flew in circles above them, before diving towards Megan and dropping a letter in front of her. Megan stared at the letter for a moment before opening it. There were hushed murmurs in the halls and the teachers looked down at the Gryffindor table curiously.

Megan read the contents of the letter and Harry saw her pale visibly. She got up without a word and left the hall. Harry looked over to his friends questioningly, not sure what to do.

"Go see if she's alright" Hermione said softly.

Harry nodded and got up, quickly making his way towards the door and looking around to see where she had gone.

Megan felt her chest constrict and gasped for breath. It felt as if someone had put a pillow over her face to suffocate her. Her lungs hurt from the lack of oxygen. She burst through the doors and felt the cool night air against her face. She could breath again. She stood gasping for breath until the tightness in her chest left her and her breathing slowed. She pulled the note out and looked at it.

I'll be seeing you at Christmas

There was no signature, but she knew from the elegant handwriting who had sent it. She closed her eyes and stuffed the note back into the pocket of her robes. Her eyes opened again suddenly when she heard a sound behind her. She spun around and saw Harry staring at her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, cursing silently when she heard how tight and high pitched her voice seemed to be.

"I came to see if you were alright" Harry said softly, walking towards her.

"I'm fine" she said in a detached voice as he drew closer.

"No you're not" he said, reaching up to pull a stray hair away from her face. She flinched under his touch and stepped back. Harry tried to contain the frustration he was feeling.

"Who was the note from?" he asked softly.

"It doesn't matter" she replied.

"Was it the same person as last time?" he asked.

"No" she replied, and looked towards the lake.

There was silence for a few moments.

"I'm tired. I'm going to Madame Pomfrey to get some potion. I'll see you later Harry" Megan said softly.

She went to walk past and Harry grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Let me help you" he said, his voice edged with frustration.

She looked directly into his eyes and he could see a hint of regret.

"You can't" she replied. "No one can"

With that, she pulled away from him and made her way inside. Harry stared after her for a moment before going back to the common room.