Collin met up with his friends just before the new year feast. "It's great to see you, Collin!" Penny exclaimed. "How were your summer holidays?"

"A tad difficult, I'm afraid." Collin looked a bit annoyed. "The Daily Prophet reported what happened with the Cursed Vault last year, and my Dad knows everything… I also seem to be worrying constantly about my long lost sister and whatever predicament she's in." Collin then shrugged. "We are hoping that I find out what happened to my sister, but my Dad's more worried about me going missing as well."

Rowan had a determined look on his face. "We won't let that happen, Collin."

Collin smiled. "Thanks. I'm just glad to be back at Hogwarts with all of you. Unfortunately, the next vault might act up soon."

Penny looked concerned. "Have you thought about the book and the broken wand you found?" Penny had, of course, been told all of what had happened in the vault.

"You kidding? I haven't let go of them since I left! I just wish I could figure out why she left them and what they're for…"

"I did a lot of research in the past couple of months, and have some theories." Rowan supplied. "We can discuss them after Dumbledore's speech."

Ben looked a little worried, as the young lion cub usually did. "Is Dumbledore going to punish us for investigating the vaults?"

"I don't think so." Collin thought about it with a slight frown. "He asked me to stay away from them, but he wasn't upset."

"That's a relief. It looks like he's about to speak. We'd better take our seats…"

The group managed to quickly get to their tables just as Dumbledore started his speech. "Welcome back to Hogwarts! I'm pleased to have all of you new and returning students here for another year of magical learning and self-discovery. Of course, I would be remiss if I did not mention the Erumpent in the room. As many of you know, last year, Hogwarts was afflicted with cursed ice caused by one of the long-rumored Cursed Vaults. The Curse was released by someone attempting to enter a vault, so I am ordering everyone in this room to stay away from the rest!" He gave a slight glare towards Collin who met it with an equal gaze for once that said he hadn't done anything wrong. "It's said that tampering with each vault unleashes a unique curse, and I will not have my students and faculty endangered again. It is true that the students who opened the Cursed Vault broke the curse, and saved the school." Again, a slight glare on Dumbledore's face. "It is also true that they put all of us at risk by doing so. Students are absolutely forbidden from seeking the remaining vaults. The penalty for anyone caught doing so will be severe. Especially so for repeat offenders." Dumbledore then sighed and looked more concerned than anything. "It is the staff's responsibility to take care of this situation, and ensure that Hogwarts is safe for everyone. So, once more…" His face was now visibly stern for all to see. "Do not attempt to locate and enter the Cursed Vaults!" He took a deep breath and calmed down. "My apologies. I hope that temporarily damaging your eardrums has saved you from more permanent harm. Now, please, enjoy your feast! I've had the opportunity to sample this year's pumpkin tart, and it's particularly tasty."

Collin rolled his eyes as the food appeared. "So much for him not being upset…"

Rowan was now nervous. "Do you think he knows that I was there? Are we going to get detention?" Rowan gulped. "What should we do?"

Collin frowned. "Rowan, believe it or not, I don't want to find the vault. It will find us. I'm not going to go out of my way to annoy Professor Dumbledore…"

Rowan grimaced. "You're right… it probably will find us, won't it…" Rowan then sighed. "When I become the youngest Professor in the history of Hogwarts, he'll be my boss, and I don't want to have that on my record."

"Good. Now, let's just focus on our classes until we figure out what to do next. Goodness knows I'll be dragged into Quidditch again as well, so there's also that."