Headmaster Beningo's office was vast in size, maybe the size of some of the classrooms. Gadgets at every corner buzzed and Professor Beningo's snow owl, Talley, squawked after being awoken from a long nap. But the most brilliant of spectacles in the office was the walls and ceilings. The entire room was painting of the most brilliant wizards ever. Hundreds of blinking eyes stared back Carly and Professor Thorn. Some even muttered "What are they doing here?" and even walking out of the room to visit other paintings in the building. But the moment was not the right to be awed by the inspiring scene. Carly was in trouble, and there was no telling what sort of detention or possible expulsion she could endure.
Headmaster Beningo was a very kind wizard, strict, but fair and he was very skilled with the art of divination. He cared deeply for all the students at Majorika and treated them all equally. Beningo sat with his hands folded in his lap, likely knowing exactly the scene that was about to take place.
"Good Afternoon Professor Thorn, Carly. What brings you to my office today?"
With much hate toward Carly, Professor Thorn relayed the story to the headmaster, using words like 'insolent' and 'menace' and finished with "She should be expelled, immediately!" But Professor Beningo's expression didn't change, but instead he glanced at Carly.
"Carly," he started calmly, "Why did you perform the paradonus charm on Miss Pomatress"
"It was the first thing I thought of, sir, Sierra was using other charms on me as well"
"I see, anything else?" Carly shook her head. "Professor Thorn is right that you should not be using this spell. It is dangerous and only meant for the most advanced and skilled aurors. Where did you learn such a spell?" Carly opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
"I'm not sure professor. I just thought it up. I have never seen in nor heard of it."
"You liar, you've been in the restricted books, haven't you! Tell the truth!" Thorn screamed at Carly, shaking with rage so violently she turned purple.
"Lashae, would you please give Miss Terella and me some privacy. You may return to your class, I will escort Carly myself." Thorn's eyes squinted and she disappeared out the door.
Carly stared at the floor, not wanting to meet Professor Beningo's eyes or to see his expression. "Well, Miss Terella, I don't know where you have learned such a dangerous spell, but I assure you that if it is to be performed by you again, I will have to expel you. There is no need for such a spell to even be in this school. I will, however have to give you detention. Meet me in my office seven o'clock tomarrow evening.
"But, first Carly, I want to ask you, do you know who killed you parents"
"Yes, a wizard called "The Guiltless". I was told this five years ago. But isn't he"
"A rumor? No, he is more real than ever, and has been in hiding since You-Know-Who mysteriously disappeared that night he attacked the Potter's. Do you know why "The Guiltless" killed your parents, Carly"
"They wouldn't surrender"
"You parents were the best aurors of the age. They were the biggest threat to him, and they wouldn't surrender"
"Sir, with all due respect, what does this have to do with me? Besides it was my parents he killed"
"Carly, I have to warn you. The Guiltless is the cruelest wizard ever to exist. He not only goes after a certain person, but also their family. I must warn you that he might be trying to finish what he started fifteen years ago. Once he starts to kill a family, he won't go on to another family until you are dead. And with You-Know-Who on the rise, he might come with a few tricks up his sleeve. He is, after all, one of the most cleaver wizards"
"But, sir, is it possible he didn't know about me since I was only a week old and I was in the hospital?"
"It is, but it is very unlikely. You know, Carly that a keen sense in divination is a component to the creation of a extraordinary wizard. But knowledge in an evil mind can create a plethora of fear. For your detention tomorrow, I would like to show you a very dangerous and complicated spell that very few wizards even know how to use. It is for your own safety and must only be used when you are in grave danger. So, I will see you tomorrow night at seven"
"Yes sir"
"Very good, now, be on your way. Oh, Carly, is there anything you wish to tell me at all?" Carly immediately thought of the letter. She should tell him. The letter could be "The Guiltless", but it can't be. A man without love couldn't possibly of written this letter.
"No sir." And Professor Beningo gave Carly the look that indicated that he knew she had just told a lie, but he wasn't going to question it.
"Very well, but if something out of the ordinary should arise, I want you to come immediately to me"
"Yes sir"
Carly ran down the corridor, not believing that this mystery man who sent the letter could possibly of been the same man who killed her parents. No, it couldn't be at all. He's still in hiding, this is a boy most likely on campus who thought he'd have a go at love at first sight. It just couldn't be.
Carly burst into the almost vacant common room to find Jade, Cameron, and Laura sitting in the burgundy chairs by the fireplace.
"Carly!" they said together.
"What happened, where you expelled?" asked Jade.
"No"
"Then what happened?" Carly relayed the entire story and watch their mouths drop open.
"And, that letter just can't be him, it can't be! How can a man who has no love or guilt or fear in his life ever write a love letter like this"
"Carly, don't, Beningo said he was clever, right? You must destroy the letter now! Don't respond, if it is him, then you won't be falling into his trap!" It was like Jade to say this. The safe way was the only way.
"Jade, you heard Carly; it can't be him, right?" said Cameron. "I think you should respond to his letter, but don't tell him you'll meet him"
"No, don't! You just can't!" Carly was so confused. She didn't want to hear the bickering any longer, so she ran up to the empty dormitory and to her desk to snatch a piece of parchment, a quill and a book to write on. She laid on her bed, trying to think how to start this letter. His was very good, but he knew her name. His address was 'the boy who walks by the pond at midnight.' "Dear the boy who walks by the pond at midnight" would sound extremely corny and unromantic. She thought and thought until:
Dear My Secret Lover,
I will keep this brief, but not knowing you comes with great complications. It's hard to express my feelings about your letter at the moment. It is confusing to me. I cannot explain it with words. But I must warn you that I am in grave danger at the moment and precautions are my best move to take with the rise of You-Know-Who. I mustn't reveal the story until I know you, so I'd like to continue communicating through the written word. I'm sorry it has to be this way, but it is for your safety as well.
Yours Truly,
Carly
Carly sealed an envelope and wrote "The Boy Who Walks By The Pond At Midnight." She fetched her old barn owl, Payawk, and tied the letter to leg. And with a swish of the wings, she flew out the window. Carly watched as she disappeared into the night without a trace. She shut the window and looked down to find a small envelope with her name scribbled in gold ink.