Hi guys sorry for the long wait! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

1776

MUGGLES MURDERED IN STAFFORDSHIRE, AURORS INVESTIGATING

Yesterday evening at 11.45pm a family of Muggles was found murdered at their home, 45 Bethal Green, Staffordshire. Above the house: a giant skull floating in the sky. Aurors sent to investigate came to the conclusion that the Doloris and the Death curses were used.

The Ministry is currently investigating…

Feeling dizzy Lena put down the Prophet on the breakfast table. The topic was on every lips. With horror she realized the murders had taken place during Slug' party.

While she was dancing, innocent muggles had been tortured and murdered...Her nausea came back stronger than ever and she grabbed the table, trying to ground herself.

Once she had regained control over herself, she observed the reactions at her table. Aly had put her pumpkin juice far from her. But it was Nott's gang' response that got her attention. They were passing the newspaper among themselves, small smirks on their faces. They seemed happy of that abomination and for the first time Lena felt disgusted by her own house.

At the professors' table, faces were dark and Professor McGonagall was talking to the Hufflepuff Head of House, Ms Sprout.

Everywhere, students were exchanging the news, a worried look on their faces, those who received the newspaper everyday lending it to the others. As the reflection of the general mood, the enchanted sky above them was turning dark and stormy.

"Do you realize that they have no idea of who did this?" said Lena to Aly.

"There is going to be an investigation but I doubt they'll ever find the culprit. My father says the Ministry is full of idiots.

- Any ideas of who did it?

- No but I think it is only the beginning.

- What do you think so?

- The crime is signed isn't it? That skull?It looks like one of this Muggle thing, those serial killers who always sign their crimes. So we can conclude he will probably do it again. Or maybe her, it could very much be a witch doing, concluded Alyssa.

- Since when do you know Muggle stuff? Well I hope they catch that freak soon and send him to Azkaban! Imagine if it really happen again and Muggles learn our existence…"

Sniggers escaped from Rosier and Nott' group and for a short second, a pure wave of hate, incredibly violent, almost overcame Lena. Those idiots laughed and were probably happy of the death of those poor Muggles. She closed her eyes and imagined them, laying on the ground, their bodies ice cold, their eyes wide open, unable to understand what had happened to them, that Evil that came straight from their worst nightmares. She wondered if they had any family, any friends, and imagined what she would feel it it was her parents that were dead. Nothing like a tragedy to remember your own mortality!

She was yanked out of her thoughts when an arm slung around her shoulders and looked, stupefied, who dared to touch her. Rosier had never allowed himself such familiarity before!

"Stop frowning over there and enjoy breakfast" he told her in a light tone.

With a sudden shake of her shoulders she removed his arm, sent him a dark look and ignored him. Taking another warm scone, she got up, took her bag and left for the class of Enchantments. For practice they had to cast the Gemini charm and Professor Flitwick asked them to start with a small object, a needle.

Biting her lips Lena tried for the 5th time the charm but her needle kept duplicating with obvious differences. The 1st copy was all twisted the 2nd one the wrong color, etc.

"Lena, I think you're receiving bad vibes from the west" commented Alyssa.

What on earth, wanted to reply Lena before turning towards her left and felt anger course through her veins. Indeed she was not going to succeed as long as Black and his baboons were pranking her and enchanting her needle behind her back.

She met Sirius' malicious gaze and the jerk had the nerve to wink at her! She cast again her charm and exhaled slowly when her needle made a big QUACK sound.

She looked at Alyssa, smiled at her and grabbed the nearest sheet of paper. She folded it carefully - Thanks Maman for the classes of the wizard decorative art- pointed her wand to the tiny mouse and whispered a charm.

She felt a gust of warm air coming from her wand and the paper mouse started moving, leaving her table and going towards her laughing target.

Going from bag to bag the mouse finally reached Sirius and climbed his table before appearing in front of a stupefied boy and exploding in an explosion of sparks.

"M. Black, I asked you to practice the Copy Charm! Please focus! 10 points from Gryffindor!" said Flitwick.

Immediately Sirius looked at Lena who smirked before turning back and ignoring him. Just because she did not talk, it did not mean she was a punching ball, by Salazar!

Looking for a book for her next Potion essay in the library, Lena was thinking. She had not seen Lily in a while and was planning on organizing one of their meetings soon.

As the curfew approached and as she still did not have the right book, she gave up and left the library empty-handed. Corridors were dark and empty, the only light coming from the shaking flames of some torches.

She had almost reached the common room when she heard whispers in front of her. Instinctively she flattened herself against the wall and tried to recognise the voices. She identified Rogue's, Yaxley's and Nott's. Unfortunately she was still too far to understand what they were talking about, but it was probably nothing good if they were plotting outside the common room. She heard someone leaving then Yaxley and Nott's voices, a bit louder than before.

"The time of the trial approaches, Nott. Keep an eye on Rosier, I do not trust him. We cannot deceive Him.

Understood" grunted Nott and the boys finally left.

To be safe, Lena waited a bit more before entering the common room. No sight of the plotters. The room was almost empty except for a few still completing assignments. Her head full of questions, she went to bed.

As soon as she woke up she kept thinking about it. It was clear that Yaxley was scheming something and a part of the boys of her house was involved. Nott, Snape, Rosier.. and if Rosier was involved, it was sure that Zabini and most of the 6th and 7th years were involved too. Biting her lips, Lena realized she should actually wondered who was not involved!

And who was the person Yaxley was afraid to disappoint? She did not think he was talking about a teacher. But who then? Another Pure-Blood? Someone from the Ministry? A member of the 28? She had no idea. And what kind of trial was he talking about? Lena' head was buzzing. So many questions and so little answers! And of course she could not ask directly! She would be considered as nosy! Nonetheless she promised herself to keep investigating.

1995

Harry had never believed he could hate someone as much as Voldemort. However Umbridge was seriously starting to catch him up. That malevolent gargoyle! He did not care how many detentions he'd get he would not stop saying the truth about Cedric' death!

Hagrid' absence was worrying him too. To add to it, this picture kept him wondering. How could that girl be friend with both his parents and Malfoy' mother? That made no sense! There had to be an explanation to all of it but it escaped him.

When coming back to his dorm before dinner he put his bag on the floor and opened the drawer of his little nightstand to grab the picture. All of this looked like a puzzle and he missed more than half the pieces!

Putting it back, he sighed and swore to talk to Hermione, she might have an idea about all of this...

Time passed and to Harry' joy, Hagrid finally came back! He had not solved his "puzzle" and was buried under homeworks and the AD.

An evening as he was coming back from Hagrid's class, he had a great idea. How come he did not think about it before? If the girl was in his parents' year then Hagrid might remember her!

Next saturday, he, Hermione and Ron went to Hagrid' house. He was in a weird mood and had new wounds on his face. But when they tried talking about them, the friendly smile on Hagrid' face disappeared and they dropped the topic. An heavy silent fell upon them. Without a word, Harry kept sipping on his tea. How could he bring the topic?

"Excuse me Hagrid, but do you remember many alumni? Especially around our parents' age…

Some of them yeah! But I especially remember those who came to visit me, like your father and his gang! Why?

We were wondering if you knew this girl? asked Harry while taking the old article out of his pocket.

I can always have a look! Smiled the half-giant. However upon seeing the picture, his smile disappeared.

Why are you asking me if I know those Slytherins? Hagrid grunted while casting a suspicious look to Harry.

Nothing particular, we were just wondering…"

Hagrid did not believe it for a second but did not insist. An hour later the three Gryffindors waked back to the castle to do their homeworks at the library. Never before had they got so much homework!

But first, Harry went to give back the borrowed article to the librarian before sitting with Ron and Hermione.

He was half asleep on his Potion' essay, fighting boredom and sleepiness when he brutally jumped.

On his parchment, on a bright red ink had appeared for a few seconds before disappearing the following message:

Stop snooping around and let the past rest in peace….

Till next time!