Chapter 19: first death

The book needed to be found, and if Severus was right about what the book was, but he hoped he was wrong. The fact that the chamber was open was proof he would not have his wish, but he had no idea how the girl had got the book. She came from a family no one ever would suspect dark arts from, her mother lost her family in the war, and her dad ran raids. Arthur would die if he knew his own child had such a thing in the house, and the question still was from where, and who had done this.

Lucius and he had been outed too long ago, and could not find any information, from the contacts they had left on that side of the law. Lucius was worried about his sons, happy they were coming home for the holidays, and hoped his brother could solve this soon.

Severus unfortunately did not solve it soon enough as he was summoned by Poppy. "What happened?"

The woman was actually in tears. "This one was not a lucky as Collin.'

The body was covered in a sheet, telling Severus of course without asking that the student was dead, and he was filled with dread. He believed it would only take out muggle borns for now, but he knew there was a chance son of traitors, would be targets as well. The journal had an old spell on it, if the rumors were true, and acted to hypnotize the person whose possession it was in. It was a corruption of the imperius curse, but one had to be prolonged to it for a long time, and it was limited. It was said to have been in a journal because it could continue to influence.

Severus held his breath as he lifted the sheet, and he let out a breath, when he looked at the second year Hufflepuff who was under the sheet. He knew he should not be relieved, the murder of any student was a horrific event, and he was filled with dread for the rest of the school.

Poppy looked down at the boy. "He was found by Miss Weasley, who had to be sedated."

Severus noticed for the first time, the second student in the room. "Did she see anything, say anything?"

Poppy shook her head, and reminded him the poor child had just found a dead body, and was understandably in total shock. She had been found screaming like Hermione had, but she had been unable to focus, and was muttering in what to her, sounded like another language. She had sedated the child, and Albus had left to summon both her family and Justin's parents as well. Collin's parents were having a hard time, they had to leave him here as they were not of this world, but he was alive.

Poppy went to her office to see where Albus was, and Severus walked over to the red head, knowing he needed to check. She would not be charged if he was right, it would be considered like the imperius, but she would live with knowing she had taken a life.

He was sorting through her bag when a voice had come from behind. "Severus, what are you doing?"

Severus turned to look at Lockhart who had walked into the room. "I was making sure she was sleeping fine."

The man had not seen him with the bag, and he said it with his usual sneer, he was not about to allow this fraud of a man to cause trouble. He had no idea how Albus kept choosing these winners for his professors, the last DADA teacher was a criminal, but at least he knew what he was doing. This man was a laughing stock, he had been bested by first year students, and every one was convinced now, he had faked his books. He hoped the man would have the sense to leave at the end of year.

Severus wondered what the man was doing in here. "I would have thought you would be catching up on beauty sleep."

The man moved past him. "I am the defense teacher here I remind you. I came up here to find out if we knew anything."

The man didn't care about the kids, he had not done anything about Collin, and the school would be doomed if they had to rely on him for protection. The man was here for an idea for his next book; he had made that clear from the start. He probably was thinking now that someone was dead; it was exciting enough for his attention, and had come for some notes. He noticed Lockhart even had an odd book in his hands, but he assumed it was for jotting down ideas, though it looked familiar.

Lockhart walked over to the bed when he was gone. "Good thing I snagged this before he came in here. We would not want him to ruin the plan."

All of the kids were sent home for Christmas, and while there was a press for the school to close, Albus said classes were to resume in January. Lucius and Sirius would allow their sons to return for now and their Uncle was there, but Remus and the kids wouldn't, for now they were leaving. Remus had agreed with his husband to leave if the risk had become greater, and the death of a student was proof, that it was. Neither man would risk their kids, or keep them in their rooms at all times, and Lucius was happy to have them at the manor. He had told his own sons, if there was one more attack, they would return home.

Being away from school for the holiday was good, the boy were shaken by the death of a classmate, and worried about all of this. The arrival of the Krums for Christmas was a surprise for them, they usually only saw Viktor and his parents in the summer, and were happy for it. It was a welcome distraction, this year so unlike last when Lyra was born, and Harry had been adopted. Her birthday and the anniversary of his adoption were celebrated too, they all needed this.

Viktor sat down next to Harry a few days after Christmas. "You look a million miles away from here. Is my company so depressing?"

Harry looked up, Viktor and his parents knew what was happening. "No, sorry, I could not help but think about the twins. And their sister."

They had made a rule for the holiday; they would leave all talk of what was happening at school, at school. The adults were talking about it, but they had wanted the boys to focus on something else for now, and it was the reason the Krums had come. Harry was not the only one Viktor could distract, though Draco not for the same reasons.

Viktor squeezed his hand. "She is home with her family for the holiday, and I am sure they are doing as we, trying to make the best of it."

Harry nodded, reminded of the new scarf he was made by their mother. "I am sure Fred has had to clean the attic by now."

The twin and their pranks brought a smile back to Harry, and he knew why his dads had made the know talk of it policy, while home for the holidays. Severus had told the other adults but not the kids, the concern what the book was, and the girl could have blood on her hands. The boys definitely did not have to worry about such things.

Draco had appeared in the door, doing better than his brother, in trying not to focus on it. "Come on you two love birds, John is waiting for us to take him sledding."

Harry blushed at his words but chucked a cushion at his brother. "Watch it big brother, or we will be giving you a face wash out there."

Finally his mind totally off the troubles at school, he and Viktor followed Draco, they had promised their cousin to take him out. The adult watched them from in the house, and were relieved to see the boys more relaxed, only like this on the holiday, and birthday.

Severus kissed his husband. "We will find a way to stop this soon, and you and the kids will be home again"