Chapter Nine - The Hand That Points
Severus Snape was strolling along the corridor towards the Entrance Hall, content in his usual routine of searching for students out of bed after hours. He turned the corner and heard screaming sobs. His heart stopped momentarily as the scene unfolded in front of him. The 3rd year Gryffindor, Alex Smith, was sprawled on the floor, his eyes open. The Lestrange girl was next to him, shaking his dead body hopelessly. She seemed on the brink of sanity, covered in blood and shaking... screaming.
'He was dead when I found them' Severus Snape's voice echoed through her mind as Meissa willed herself back to consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open and she stared up at the familiar face of the Headmaster. She followed his eyes to the bed beside hers in the Hospital Wing. Alex was lying there, still with the same shocked expression, his dull eyes still open. The night's events hit her with force. Jerking upwards in a cry, she scrambled off the bed towards her friend but an arm snaked around her and held her back. 'Hold still…you will do yourself more damage!' Meissa whirled to confront her Potions Master. 'Let me go!'
'Miss Lestrange, please explain what happened' Dumbledore's voice ate through her anger and confusion. She felt her knees weaken and grabbed Snape's arm for support. She felt tears start but she had no time to cry. 'Professor w-we were a-attacked' her voice echoed through the Wing. 'He…he killed Alex' she began to cry 'I tried to … the man…he used an unforgivable' she babbled 'He's still here…in the grounds…' the realisation hit her. Dumbledore shook his head.
'A search was set out in the grounds after you were found, no one was discovered' he told her solemnly. 'You don't think…you don't think I...I did it?' her voice cracked. To her relief the Headmaster shook his head. 'We found a wand, it is enough evidence to present to the ministry' she nodded, unable to look at anyone. Madam Pomfrey bustled over, intending to clean her wounds, but she scrambled away, unable to bear the touch of another. Grief washed over her as she tried to tear her eyes away from Alex's motionless body. What about the others? Tabby and Claudia and... Seth?
Dumbledore watched the girl sob. 'Mr Smith's parents were informed early this morning, as was the Ministry of Magic. The school will find out at breakfast, you are not to leave this ward until I say so' he told her, turning to leave. 'How long have I…?' she started. '9 hours, Severus' the Headmaster turned at the door 'keep an eye on her' he stated, before exiting in a flurry of blue robes. She crumpled onto the mattress, shaking.
Shivering, she tried to sit up, turning towards the door. Severus jerked out of his trance quick enough to catch the girl. 'Where did you think you were going?' he asked her icily. 'I was…I need…'she broke off, unable to face him. 'Sit down before you fall down' he hissed.
She did eventually listen to him, finding her way back towards the bed, staring at the curtains that had been drawn around the where Alex lay.
Severus sat back in his chair, his black eyes focused on the girl, watching ot see if she would make another dart for the door. In this state she would have half the school on panic. He closed his eyes for a few moments to reflect... a hooded figure. That sounded unpleasantly familiar... how had the Lestrange girl and her friend managed to stray into the path of a...
The Lestrange girl had told them of how Alex had wandered so far ahead that she hadn't realised they were outside of Hogwarts grounds... that was strange but understandable... but how had a hooded figure been roaming Hogsmeade...
Perhaps the itching pain on his arm was not just from the Lestrange girl's presence... perhaps it meant something more.