Chapter 46
Meredith was extremely grouchy the morning of Halloween. She thought about just staying at school and working on her homework since she didn't really feel like going to Hogsmeade by herself. She finally decided to go just for a little bit. There were a few things she needed. She'd just get her shopping done quickly, then come back to the castle. She tried to concentrate on her breakfast as Oliver and Patricia made plans. Meredith glanced at Patricia out of the corner of her eye. After many hours of trying on everything she owned and half of Meredith's clothes Patricia had decided on a pair of dark trousers and a red and black sweater of Meredith's. Meredith had to admit that the sweater looked better on Patricia than it ever had on her. Meredith might be the one with the marks but when it came to style and knowing what boys looked for Patricia was the genius. It was no wonder Oliver had asked her out. Jocks always went for the pretty girls. All those magazines Patricia had tried to get her to look at they all showed the same thing. The big burly athlete with the tall, thin, busty blonde girls draped over their arm. She sighed. This was no way to think about her friends.
"Miss Meredith," a small voice chirped at her side. She turned and saw a small first year girl with blonde pigtails standing beside her.
"Yes?"
"Professor Dumbledore wanted me to give you this," she said handing out a rolled up piece of parchment.
"Thanks," Meredith said. She unrolled the scroll and read the note silently.
"Dear Meredith,
I would like to request the pleasure of your company in my office following breakfast to discuss a matter of great importance.
The Password is Peanut Brittle."
Yours sincerely,
Professor Albus Dumbledore."
Meredith furrowed her brow. Why would Dumbledore be sending her messages to meet him in his office? And why in such an obscure way? She glanced up at the High Table and saw that Dumbledore was not present. She figured he must be waiting for her already. She pushed what was left of her cereal away and wiped her mouth with a napkin. She left the great hall and made her way to Dumbledore's office. After giving the password to the gargoyles she climbed up the long twisting staircase.
"Enter," Dumbledore's voice called to her at her knock. She pushed open the door. It was strange to be standing here in the Headmaster's office again. She hadn't been here since her first year. It seemed smaller.
"Come in Meredith," Dumbledore said from behind his desk.
"You wanted to see me sir?" Meredith said coming forward.
"I did," he said. "My apologies for the mysteriousness of all this but I think you will understand once I explain why I have asked you here. Sit please." Meredith took a seat in the chair across from the Headmaster.
"Your father seems to be doing well at his post," Dumbledore said. "From what I hear he has become quite a popular teacher." Meredith beamed.
"With the full moon occurring very soon I thought you should be made aware of certain precautions that have been taken." Meredith nodded.
"Professor Snape will of course continue to brew the Wolfsbane potion for your father so that he will be able to keep his mind during the transformations." Meredith noted that Dumbledore spoke Snapes's name though she had never indicated to him or her father that she knew who was making the potion.
"He will be able to stay in his office away from students during the nights of the full moon. The problem will be in the few days after his transformation when he will be too weak to teach. Professor Snape has agreed to act as a substitute professor for those days." Meredith wrinkled her nose. Extra lessons with Snape. She could not think of anything more vile. But for her father she would endure it.
"However," Dumbledore said. "Professor Snape can tend to be a bit brusque with his students."
"That's putting it lightly sir," Meredith said. Dumbledore smiled indulgently.
"That is why I feel it would be better for the first and second years to be taught by a slightly gentler hand. In particularly Miss Ginny Weasley considering her ordeal in the Chamber of Secrets last year."
"I couldn't agree more sir," Meredith said quickly.
"I thought you would. That is why I would like you to take on the task of teaching your father's first and second year classes when he cannot." Meredith's jaw hit the floor.
"Me?"she said in shock.
"Yes," Dumbledore said. "I know it is a great deal to ask and you will have a very full plate as it is but I can truly think of no one better." Meredith didn't know what to say. Her, teaching. She could think of at least a hundred different ways it could be a disaster. But for her dad…
"Of course I'd be happy to do it," Meredith said trying to smile.
"Thank you," Dumbledore said. "I have arranged the schedule so that you will not have to miss any of your own classes. I know you will do fine." Meredith blushed.
"You will want to meet with your father soon to discuss lesson plans," Dumbledore said rising. "With that said you'd best get down to the great hall to join your friends for Hogsmeade." Meredith did not bother to tell him that her friends would not be waiting for her this time. Her mind was too busy spinning. Her, a teacher. Who'd have ever guessed?
Meredith kept up a cheerful façade as she walked with Patricia and Oliver to the edge of the village.
"Have a good time you guys," she said as they went their separate ways. She turned away finding it too hard to watch them walk away together toward Madam Puddifoot's tea shop. She hurried to Honeydukes wanting to get in and out as quickly as possible so she could back to school. As she pushed open the door to the shop she saw that getting in and out quickly was not to be. The shop was extremely crowded with students. She made her way through the crowd getting her foot stepped on three times before she found what she was looking for.
"Good morning dear," Mrs. Honeyduke greeted her. Meredith smiled at the sweet gray haired woman who was placing a tray of fudge samples.
"Peanut butter macadamia nut," Mrs. Honeyduke said. "Brand new this month." Meredith took a small piece and tasted it.
"That's wonderful," she said licking her lips. "I'll take a half pound and a half pound of the raspberry swirl."
"Coming right up," the woman said. She glanced around the shop while her order was prepared. She was pleased to see many students stocking up on chocolate. She couldn't help smirking smugly, when she saw Rose Bucklin advising a fourth year student to get some extra bars of Honeyduke's best.
"Here you are dear," Mrs. Honeyduke said handing her the fudge wrapped up in gold paper. "We're having a sale today. Half off on all chocolate." Meredith raised an eyebrow.
"Those dementors may be awful, but since they've been floating around town business has been booming." Meredith shook her head. Nice to know someone was getting something positive out of the dementors awful presence. She went ahead and picked up a few bars of Honeydukes best. As she went to stand in the line for check out she bumped into Ron and Hermione. Apparently they had mended their rift. At least for the moment.
"Hi Meredith," Hermione said.
"Hello you two," she greeted them. She eyed the bag in Ron's hand which was filled to the brim with candy and sweets.
"Good lord Ron," she said. "I hope you're not planning to eat all that yourself."
"Nah," Ron said. "We had to get some extra stuff for Harry."
"Where is he?" Meredith asked. It was very unusual to see two of them without the third.
"He couldn't come," Hermione said sadly. "No permission slip."
"That's a shame," Meredith said. "Perhaps next year."
"Yeah," Ron said. "They'll have caught Black by then." Hermione jabbed Ron in the side.
"Black?" Meredith asked.
"Yeah," Ron said. "He's after Harry."
"Ron!" Hermione snapped. Meredith's eyes widened.
"What are you talking about?" Meredith asked. Hermione and Ron looked extremely uncomfortable.
"Well…" Hermione said.
"Sirius Black is supposed to be after Harry," Ron blurted out. Hermione tossed her hands in the air.
"After Harry?" Meredith gasped.
"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were discussing it and Harry overheard," Hermione murmured. Meredith thought about it a moment. It made sense she supposed. If Black had been one of Voldemort's biggest supporters it would only make sense that he would be after the boy who brought his master down.
"Harry must be terrified."
"Not really," Hermione said. "He's being rather naïve about the whole thing."
"Oh come off it Hermione," Ron said.
"Hermione's right Ron," Meredith said. "Don't take Sirius Black lightly."
"Anyway," Hermione said. "We love your dad's classes Meredith. He's a great teacher."
"Yeah," Ron quickly agreed. "That was a cool lesson we had on kappas."
"I really hope he stays," Hermione said. "He's the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had." Meredith beamed with pride.
"Thanks you two," she said. "You've just made my day."
Meredith wound up joining Hermione and Ron for a butter beer at the Three Broomsticks before heading back to the castle. She decided to drop in and visit her dad. As she approached his classroom she spotted someone coming out. She opened the door and poked her head in. She saw her dad sitting on his desk staring thoughtfully into space.
"Hey stranger," she called. Her dad looked up and smiled at her.
"Hello love," he said standing up and kissing her on the forehead. "What are you doing back so soon?"
"Oh you know," Meredith said setting her shopping bag on the table. "Hogsmeade gets old after a while." She tilted her chin up and tried to smile.
"Uh huh," her dad said giving her a knowing look. "What's going on?" Meredith looked sheepish. She could never lie to her dad. Somehow he always knew.
"All right," she said. "Patricia and Oliver are there together. On a date."
"Ah," Remus said. "Are you all right with that?" Meredith shrugged.
"I don't know," she said. "I mean they're my best friends. It's a little weird."
"I remember when my friends took their girlfriends to Hogsmeade," he said thoughtfully. "They'd invite me along of course, but it was always a bit too uncomfortable." Meredith nodded.
"I wouldn't resent it if they got together," Meredith said. "But I just don't want to lose the friendship."
"I've never seen two people as close as you and Patricia," her dad said. "No matter who she dates, she's not going to leave you out in the cold."
"At least I don't have to worry about her dating someone I can't stand like Percy is," Meredith said chuckling. Her dad squeezed her shoulder. They both looked up as there was a loud knock at the door.
"Hagrid," Meredith said with a knowing smile. Remus smiled as the half giant entered.
"The door shook," Meredith whispered.
"'Lo Hagrid," Remus said.
"Hullo Remus, Meredith."
"Hi Hagrid," Meredith said. "Very interesting lesson last Thursday." Hagrid frowned at her.
"Keep your pity young missy," Hagrid gruffed. "Here it is Remus."
"Thank you Hagrid," Remus said as Hagrid placed a long box on the desk. He then pulled a smaller box from inside his moleskin coat.
"Should be enough to last us through the first semester at least," Hagrid said. Remus nodded.
"Dad?" Meredith said after Hagrid had taken his leave. "What's that?" Remus sighed and lifted the two boxes. He guestured for her to follow him as he went to his sleeping quarters. Meredith glanced around. It looked comfortable enough. There was soft carpet on the floor, a desk and a large four poster bed. Remus set the two boxes on the bed. Meredith stomach clenched as he opened the first one and removed a shot gun.
"It's just a precaution," Remus explained. "Dumbledore is certain that nothing will go wrong with the potion but I insisted we err on the side of caution. Only Dumbledore, Hagrid and you will know about it." Meredith nodded as he placed the gun in the back of his bureau. Meredith took the smaller box and opened it. There were several tranquilizer darts in the box. She quickly closed it and set it on the desk. Remus took it and placed in a drawer.
"Just a precaution," he assured her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and guided her back out of the room. Meredith tried to think of anything at that moment but the gun.
"Was that Harry I saw leaving?" she asked.
"Yes," Remus said. "We had a cup of tea and had a little talk."
"Nice you finally got to talk to him," Meredith said studying the glass box on her dad's desk. "Is this a grindylow?"
"Yes," he said. "I've just took delivery of it."
"We didn't get to see an actual grindylow my third year. Just had to study them out of a book."
"They're not easy to get a hold of," Remus said. "Dumbledore knows a guy." Meredith decided it best not to ask questions.
"Speaking of lessons," Remus said. "Has Dumbledore spoken to you…"
"About teaching when your classes when you're sick? Yes, I told him I'd be happy to do it." Remus smiled.
"Excellent," he said. "I think perhaps it would be best if I brought you up to speed on where my students are."
"I am at your disposal Professor."
Meredith was extremely pleased at her ability to keep a straight face as Patricia told her of the disaster that her date with Oliver had been.
"Half an hour we sat there," Patricia moaned. "Not a word." Meredith bit her lip. She would not smile. This was her best friend and she was going to be supportive.
"I mean we were okay on the way there and when we sat down and ordered," Patricia said. "You know we talked about how we thought you were handling us going out, and we agreed not let it be weird no matter what and then we decided that we were going to stop talking about you and then…nothing. Then after thirty minutes had gone by and we had both gone through two cups of hot chocolate I guess he decided that someone needed to say something so he started talking about Quidditch! Technique, strategy, will Fred and George Comets stand up to Slytherins Nimbus 2001s, oh and Angelina's been having trouble with her shoulder lately and he's worried it won't be in top form come game time and I'm just sitting there with the same look I used to wear in Binn's class." Meredith patted her shoulder.
"I'm sorry it didn't work out," she said. Meredith tried to be sympathetic but deep down she was glad it hadn't worked out. But now she was worried that she may have a new problem.
"Um…things aren't going to weird between you two now are they?"
"No," Patricia said squeezing her hand. "No, we agreed that no matter what we would stay friends. So don't worry you're not going to have to stop being Oliver's friend out of loyalty to me." Meredith smiled. It would be incredibly awkward if she had to choose between her friends.
"Still," Meredith said. "It's hard to think you couldn't find anything to talk about. I mean you guys talk all the time."
"Sure," Patricia said, "When it's the four of us. It's easy then. But I've never just talked to him for a long period of time. I mean after you and Percy started doing you're prefect duties on the train we'd always have those few minutes when it was just us but it was just idle chit chat to pass the time till you joined us. Honestly Mere, I think the only Oliver and I really have in common is you." Meredith decided it would be best not to comment. They made their way down to the Halloween Feast. Dumbledore had gone all out this year. Meredith guessed that the Headmaster wanted to take everyone's mind off of Sirius Black. She spoke easily with Oliver and Patricia while they enjoyed the delicious feast. Things seemed to be getting back to normal. She spared a glance to her dad up at the high table. He was chatting animatedly to Professor Flitwick. He looked happy and healthy. With full bellies they headed back to the common room.
"Oh lord," Oliver said. "I need bigger pants." Meredith and Patricia giggled.
"And to think you let such a charmer slip through your fingers," Meredith murmured.
"Damn all the luck," Patricia said tossing her head back dramatically. Meredith giggled. Oliver suddenly came to a dead stop causing Meredith to run into him and Patricia to run into Meredith.
"Oliver," Meredith said stepping back, "what the bloody hell…"
"It's not my fault," Oliver said pointing ahead. A large crowd had gathered around the Fat Lady's portrait.
"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?" Percy's voice boomed as he pushed through the crowd. "Let me through I'm head boy." Meredith followed in Percy's wake with Oliver and Patricia tailing behind her. When they reached the front of the crowd Meredith gasped. The Fat Lady had vanished and her portrait had been slashed.
"Meredith get Professor Dumbledore quickly," Percy hissed at her. Meredith turned quickly and pushed back through the crowd. She could hear Percy telling everyone to keep back as she dashed back down to the Great Hall. Dumbledore was just exiting the Great Hall along with several teachers including her father.
"Professor Dumbledore!" she cried running up to him. "Professor Dumbledore you've got to come quickly."
"What has happened Meredith?" the headmaster asked patiently.
"Someone's attacked the Fat Lady sir," she gasped. "They've slashed her portrait. She's gone sir." Dumbledore asked no questions. He moved swiftly toward the stairs with the professors following quickly behind him. The crowd around the portrait parted to let Dumbledore pass. The Headmaster took one look at the portrait and turned.
"We must find the Fat Lady," he addressed the staff and students. "Every portrait must be searched."
"Professor!" Patricia's voice yelled above the crowd. "We found her sir." Meredith stood on tiptoe to see Patricia and Percy pointing to a large painting of a forest hiding behind a tree.
"Dear lady," Dumbledore addressed her soothingly. "Who has done this to you?"
"That vicious devil with eyes like a serpent," The Fat Lady wailed. "The one they're all looking for. Sirius Black!" Meredith felt her heart freeze as though she'd been stabbed with an icicle. Sirius Black in the castle. How?
"Attention please!" Dumbledore's voice boomed over the murmurs of the crowd. "Professor McGonagall, Professor Lupin if you will escort the Gryffindors back to the Great Hall. Professors Snape, Sprout and Flitwick if you would please collect your houses and escort them to the Great Hall as well."
"This way," McGonagall said waving her students toward the Great Hall. "Move quickly please and stay alert." Meredith put her arm around a small first year who looked as though she was about to cry.
"Everything will be all right," she assured her. She jumped as she felt a hand closed on her shoulder.
"Are you all right?" her father asked her. His face was incredibly tense.
"I'm fine," she lied. The truth was she was terrified. All the extra security around the castle, dementors at every entrance. How the hell had Black got in? Her dad's hand was on her back as they filed into the Great Hall.
"Please move in and file along the walls," Mcgonagall said. The tables had been put away for the evening. Meredith slipped over to where Patricia and Oliver stood. Percy was busy barking orders.
"What do you make of this?" Oliver asked.
"I don't know," Meredith said.
Being a prefect was a real burden sometimes Meredith thought as she paced up and down the rows of sleeping bags. It was getting harder to stay awake. She glanced around the hall where Percy and the other prefects were on guard duty. She tapped her wand against her leg. The teachers had been searching the castle for almost five hours now. Surely Black would not have hung around this long. She glanced down where Oliver and Patricia were asleep inside their squashy purple sleeping bags. At the moment she'd have given all the gold in her vault to trade places with them. Thank Merlin tomorrow was Sunday. Around three in the morning Dumbledore reappeared in the Great Hall and looked around for Percy. From where she stood a short distance away she could hear the headmaster speak.
"Any sign of him Professor?"
"None," Dumbledore said. "All clear here?"
"All quiet sir," Percy said.
"Professor," Snape joined them. "The entire castle has been searched sir. No sign of Black anywhere."
"Well I did not expect him to linger. There is no point waking the students at this hour. The prefects we will send back to their common rooms but the rest of the students we shall let sleep."
"Have you any theory how Black got into the castle headmaster?" Snape asked.
"Several," Dumbledore said. "Each as unlikely as the next."
"You remember the conversation we had at the start of term Headmaster," Snape said. Meredith glanced over to where the three men spoke. Snape had his back to her and it looked as though he were trying to block Percy out of the conversation.
"I do Severus," Dumbledore said. Meredith thought she picked up a hint of warning in the Headmaster's voice.
"I seems to me it would be almost impossible for Black to have entered the castle without inside help. I did express my concerns when you appointed…"
"I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it," Dumbledore said his tone indicating the discussion was closed. The prefects were allowed to return to their common rooms for some much needed sleep. As exhausted as Meredith was she found herself unable to sleep. She kept going over the conversation between Snape and Dumbledore in her head She wasn't so daft she couldn't figure out who Snape had been referring to. Why would Snape think that her father would let a murderer who was after Harry into the castle?