Before we begin, first...

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Now, here's the chapter! :D

Natsu lifted himself quietly from his bed, a creek echoing from under him. He looked around, making sure no one heard it, but everyone was fast asleep. Good. He flicked the sheets up, revealing he was already in full dress and slipped his feet into his slippers. He walked out the door and into the lobby of the Common Room where Happy was waiting.

"Let's go Happy." Natsu said, walking past him and opened the door to the hallway. "Aye sir." Happy said back, following him into the hall. Lucy wasn't the only one to greet him this time, but Gray and Gajeel as well. Lily was also there with Gajeel. They all smiled at him as he came out. "Took you long enough." Gray teased, snarking. "You shut it." Natsu growled back. Lucy giggled as she turned around, still facing the boys. "Come on. Let's go." She smiled

"So apparently tomorrow, there's a game on." Gray pointed out as they walked up the stairs, his hands supporting the back of his head. "Is that right? What game is that?" Natsu asked, sounding pretty dimwitted. "I think it was called Quidditch." Gray answered. "Quidditch?" Gajeel repeated confused.

"Oh, I've read that in a book in the Meeting Room. It's a broom sport. If I recall, it consists of seven people… Uh, three chasers, two bashers, one keeper and one seeker…...Three balls… no four…. Aaand that's all I remember…" Lucy trailed off. "Oh? I like the sound of the bashers." Gajeel chuckled. "Do you always go for the brute position?" Lily sighed. "Of course he does! He's a ruthless rough nut who loves to fight!" Happy chipped in, smiling. "What did you call me you stupid cat?!" Gajeel growled, a dark aura emitting from him as he towered over Happy.

Happy screamed in fear, and suddenly took a bowing position. "I'm sorry Gajeel! Please don't beat me up!" Happy begged, as he vigorously bowed up and down. "You know he's not that kind of person Happy…" Lily sweat dropped.

"You don't know that Lily! You should have seen Gajeel when we first met him!" Happy yelled as he stood back up and waved his arms. "He was a bloodthirsty vampire who almost killed Natsu! Luckily I was there to save him." Happy smirked as his closed eye showed a sparkle next to it, hand supporting his cheek. "That's not true and you know it!" Natsu yelled at Happy. Lucy and Gray chuckled at the events, before going on again.

"Now that everyone's here, let's cut straight to the chase. Who released the troll, and why would they?" Erza demanded, her hands on the table. "It was a distraction, simple as that." Everyone turned their attention to the front as soon as they heard her voice. "Master Mavis?" Makarov asked, quite confused.

"Think about it. A distraction that forces everyone into lockdown. No witnesses. A tactic that wouldn't make anyone sneak out to explore the castle, as a caretaker patrol wouldn't be enough. They wanted to make sure that they wouldn't encounter anyone so they wouldn't interrupt his or her plans. The plans to steal whatever the Cerberus is guarding under there." Everyone opened their eyes in shock. It all made sense.

"Erza, did anything happen while you were with Professor Snape on the Third Floor?" Lucy asked sternly as she sharply stood up. "We tried to get under the trapdoor, but the Cerberos but they didn't let us in. He attacked us resulting in Snape injuring his leg. We knew from there that the perpetrator hadn't been on the Third Floor. So we waited there until Mavis told us you three took down the troll." Erza explained as she looked at Natsu.

"Oh no! Is Snape alright?" Wendy cried, gasping. "Perhaps I should have gone with him instead…" She whispered. "He's fine. Just a scratch on the leg. He'll survive." Erza comforted her.

"Now the next question… What is under the trapdoor?" Gray asked, tapping his finger on the table. "Has anyone asked Dumbledore or check the dome?" Lucy asked, putting her hand up. Everyone suddenly froze, an "ah" escaping their lips. "Hold on, nine people, and none of you bothered to ask him OR check the dome?!" Lucy yelled in shock, a tick mark appearing from the back of her head. "Well then, why didn't you ask him?!" Gajeel yelled at her back. "I'm a student, I can't exactly ask him confidential stuff!" Lucy yelled back.

"W-well, to be honest I thought someone already asked Dumbledore…" Mavis muttered shyly, her index fingers pushing against each other. "And I thought someone checked the dome." Wendy admitted shyly, holding onto Charla and rubbing the back of her head awkwardly.

"If you want to know, I can tell you." Everyone turned around and saw Dumbledore standing there, calm and wise as always. "Professor Dumbledore!" Mira exclaimed, surprise of the sudden visit. "I did hire you, so you have every right to know what is on the Third Corridor."

And Dumbledore began to explain.

As the words flew out of his mouth, everyone widened their eyes at what they were hearing. They couldn't believe it. "No way…." Wendy gasped. "Something like that actually exists?" Erza said in a surprise state. "I expected something extremely important in there, but nothing like this!" Levy pondered in a surprise.

Mavis looked at Dumbledore, digesting his words. "I never even…. There was a high chance that it was something valuable, but this is-! I never even considered this as a possibility!" Mavis panicked, holding her head in confusement as to how she could have missed something this big.

"I admit, for someone from a different world hearing something as conspicuous as this can be a bit to handle…" Dumbledore said in his usual tone pacing back and forth. "My father, however, told me great stories of his adventures with the Fairy Tail Guild. I know you are the only ones who can handle it." Dumbledore explained, leaning on the table.

Everyone stared at the open space around them for a bit. Suddenly Mavis looked up sharply and threw her hand out. "Erza and Mira. Stay on the Third Floor at all times! Gajeel, take the basements and dungeons! Lucy, Grand Floor to Floor Two! Natsu! Three to Five! Gray! Five to Seven! Lily! Charla! Happy! Take the skies! Wendy! North and East restricted area! Levy! South and West!" As Mavis threw the orders, everyone scrambled around to prepare for their positions.

"Don't worry Professor Dumbledore! We will protect this school. And we will make sure no one gets their hands on what's on the Third Floor." Mavis smiled at him. "Now. Let's go!"

"Aye sir!"