SHOPPING AND A NIGHT AT THE LEAKY CAULDRON
The days passed by really fast, as the girls were waiting for August 15th to come. Hermione and Natasha spent the days mostly the same way as they did on the first day there. Natasha had finished the book Hermione had given her. Natasha even tried to find how to read the book Hagrid had given, but she was very unsuccessful in that matter. Not even the combined efforts of both Natasha and Hermione was able to crack the problem. By few days, the gave up on the job fully. On 13th, Simran called them again through a phone in the hotel she was staying to inform them that, she had reached London. They again confirmed the plan for going to Diagon Alley. Simran said that, she will be there by 11 in the morning and Hermione and Natasha agreed with the plan. Ron had also agreed with the plan, and confirmed their suspicions that Black was a wizard and told that he will explain the situation on the day of the meeting.
On the morning of fifteenth of august, Hermione and Natasha woke up early in the morning and got ready really fast. They were really excited and were continuously talking throughout the breakfast.
"We have to invite the Gupta family for a dinner.", Mrs. Granger said. "That will be a really nice thing."
"We will do that. I am sure that they will agree.", Mr. Granger agreed.
"I am sure that Simran will be really happy for that arrangement.", Hermione said. "Though she will be even more happy if the dinner was with the Weasleys.", Hermione added with a wink to Natasha. Natasha giggled.
"I am sure that, we can ask the Weasleys also to come. It will be a really nice dinner.", Mrs Granger said.
As soon as they finished breakfast, the four of them got ready and started towards London. They had promised the Gupta family that, they will meet them at Charring Cross Road. When they reached Charring Cross Road, they started searching for the family. They had parked their car in one of the public parking lots and headed towards Leaky Cauldron. Just before they reached the place, they saw Simran coming towards them with a big smile towards them.
"Hermione! Natasha! Finally, we meet again!", Simran said hugging both of them.
"Hello, Simran. We are also glad to meet you!", Natasha said with a smile. Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Hello, Simran. I hope that you are fine.", Mr. Granger asked.
"I am good Mr. Granger. My parents are just around the corner.", Simran said. The five of them walked towards the place and met Simran's parents. Simran's dad was a tall man who had a big moustache. He looked like a man with authority. Natasha noticed that, Simran looked mostly like her dad. Simran's mom was also a fairly tall woman, and had long black hair. She was wearing what looked like a traditional dress.
"Hello, Mr. Gupta. It is nice to see you again.", Mr. Granger said offering a hand.
"It is nice to see you too, Mr. Granger. Please call me Uday. In India, we usually don't call each other by our last names.", Mr. Gupta said.
"Only if you call me Dan.", Mr. Granger said with a smile. After all the introductions were over, both the families walked towards the Leaky Cauldron. The Weasleys had told that, they will meet them inside. When they went inside, they saw the Weasleys sitting around a table and chatting with each other. As soon as the Weasleys saw them, they came towards the seven of them with smiles on their faces. While the adults were having their conversations, Ron came to the three girls and gave a small hug to each of them. Natasha and Hermione noticed that, the hug with Simran lasted a bit longer than the two of them.
"I am so happy to see you three.", Ron said with a smile. "Ready to go to the alley?", he asked.
"Yep.", the three girls said together.
Percy, looked at them solemnly as though he and Natasha had never met and said, "Natasha, Hermione and Simran. How nice to see you."
"Hello, Percy," said Natasha, trying not to laugh.
"I hope that you three girls had a great summer.", Ron's sister Ginny said with a smile. The Simran and Natasha were a bit closer to her after the incident at the chamber of secrets.
"We did!", the three of them said.
"Girls!" said Fred, elbowing Percy out of the way and bowing deeply. "Simply splendid to see you!"
"Marvellous," said George, pushing Fred aside and bowing to the three of them in turn. "Absolutely spiffing."
Percy scowled. "That's enough, now," said Mrs. Weasley.
"Mum!" said Fred, as though he'd only just spotted her and seizing her hand, "How really corking to see you -"
Natasha was struggling not to laugh at the twin's antics. The twins were the resident pranksters of her school. She found them really nice and helpful.
"I said, that's enough," said Mrs. Weasley, depositing her shopping in an empty chair. "Hello my dear girls. I suppose you've heard our exciting news?" She pointed to the brand-new silver badge on Percy's chest. "Second Head Boy in the family!" she said, swelling with pride.
"And last," Fred muttered under his breath.
"I don't doubt that," said Mrs. Weasley, frowning suddenly. "I notice they haven't made you two prefects."
"What do we want to be prefects for?" said George, looking revolted at the very idea. "It'd take all the fun out of life."
Ginny giggled. "You want to set a better example for your sister!" snapped Mrs. Weasley.
"Ginny's got other brothers to set her an example, Mother," said Percy loftily. Natasha doubted that, Ginny would even consider setting Percy as an example. Ginny was as fun loving as Ron and the twins.
"I think we should hurry up and start with our shopping.", Mrs. Weasley said. Then the three families entered the Diagon alley. They first went to the Gringotts. The Grangers and the Guptas exchanged their muggle money, while Natasha and Weasleys went to their respective vaults to withdraw. Natasha found that, Gringotts also accepted foreign muggle currency for exchange as they accepted Indian currency from Simran's family. After they finished the business at Gringotts, the parents let the children wander around the alley for themselves for some time. First, they went to the Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, and had some sundaes for all of them. The owner of the shop was very happy that the famous Natasha Potter had decided to visit the shop and even offered to give her a free sundae which she politely refused. Then when they were casually wandering around the alley, Natasha's eye went to the Quality Quidditch Supplies, where there was a huge crowd.
Curious to know what the crowd in the shop was staring at, Natasha pulled the other three of them inside and squeezed in among the excited witches and wizards until Natasha glimpsed a newly erected podium, on which was mounted the most magnificent broom she had ever seen in her life.
"Just come out - prototype -" a square-jawed wizard was telling his companion.
"It's the fastest broom in the world, isn't it, Dad?" squeaked a boy younger than Natasha, who was swinging off his father's arm.
"Irish International Side's just put in an order for seven of these beauties!" the proprietor of the shop told the crowd.
"And they're favourites for the World Cup!"
Natasha was fascinated by all this, and by the looks of it even Ron was interested too. But Hermione and Simran looked like they wanted to get out of there.
A large witch in front of Natasha moved, and he was able to read the sign next to the broom:
* THE FIREBOLT *
THIS STATE-OF-THE-ART RACING BROOM SPORTS A STREAM-LINED, SUPERFINE HANDLE OF ASH, TREATED WITH A DIAMOND-HARD POLISH AND HAND-NUMBERED WITH ITS OWN REGISTRATION NUMBER. EACH INDIVIDUALLY SELECTED BIRCH TWIG IN THE BROOMTAIL HAS BEEN HONED TO AERODYNAMIC PERFECTION, GIVING THE FIREBOLT UNSURPASSABLE BALANCE AND PINPOINT PRECISION. THE FIREBOLT HAS AN ACCELERATION OF 150 MILES AN HOUR IN TEN SECONDS AND INCORPORATES AN UNBREAKABLE BRAKING CHARM. PRICE ON REQUEST.
Price on request...Natasha didn't like to think how much gold the Firebolt would cost. She had never wanted anything as much in her whole life - but she had never lost a Quidditch match on her Nimbus Two Thousand, and what was the point in emptying her Gringotts vault for the Firebolt, when she had a very good broom already?
Ron looked at Natasha as though begging her to buy the broom, but Natasha shook her head. Ron just groaned. Then they went to the apothecary to buy some potion ingredients. Potions were her favorite subject and the Professor who thought it was her favorite too. Then they went to buy some new school robes, as Natasha's and Ron's dresses had become really short for both of them. Simran and Hermione had decided that, their previous robes were enough for another year.
Their next destination was Flourish and Blotts, and they saw a strange sight when they had just reached it. Instead of the usual display of gold-embossed spellbooks the size of paving slabs, there was a large iron cage behind the glass that held about a hundred copies of The Monster Book of Monsters. Torn pages were flying everywhere as the books grappled with each other, locked together in furious wrestling matches and snapping aggressively. Natasha already knew that, the book was a part of the curriculum as she had already read the book list.
Simran looked at the books and groaned at the sight of it.
"Oh my god! Aren't those supposed to be textbooks for us!?", she said groaning.
"Unfortunately, yes.", Natasha said knowing that Simran wouldn't have received the books as she was staying in India. Natasha and Hermione had already deduced that it was a subject book.
"Did you guys get the book already?", Simran asked.
"Yeah.", the three of them said.
As they entered Flourish and Blotts, the manager came hurrying toward them. "Hogwarts?" he said abruptly. "Come to get your new books?"
"Yes, we are third years" said Natasha, "we need -"
But the manager groaned looking at the four of them and looked like he was on the verge of crying. "Does that mean I have to get those monster books for all four of you?", he said with a grimace.
"Oh no. We need only one. The others have already got it.", Simran said looking at the manager with a horrified expression on her face. She knew that, if the manager was only hesitant to take the books, the books were going to be really dangerous. The manager relaxed a bit and said, "Well, that is a bit comforting. But I still have to take one of them, isn't it? I've been bitten five times already this morning –"
A loud ripping noise rent the air; two of the Monster Books had seized a third and were pulling it apart. "Stop it! Stop it!" cried the manager, poking the walking stick through the bars and knocking the books apart. "I'm never stocking them again, never! It's been bedlam! I thought we'd seen the worst when we bought two hundred copies of the Invisible Book of Invisibility - cost a fortune, and we never found them...". The manager then somehow went to the shelf and took the struggling book out. He somehow managed to shut the cover and gave it to Simran. "Well...is there anything else I can help you with?", he asked.
Then the four of them told the manager the books they needed. The manager took them to all the sections where they needed the books. Then at last, Ron and Simran had only Divinations book left. "We need three copies Unfogging the Future by Cassandra Vablatsky." , Simran said.
"Ah, starting Divination, are you?", said the manager, stripping off his gloves and leading them into the back of the shop, where there was a corner devoted to fortune-telling. A small table was stacked with volumes such as Predicting the Unpredictable: Insulate Yourself Against Shocks and Broken Balls: When Fortunes Turn Foul. "Here you are," said the manager, who had climbed a set of steps to take down a thick, black-bound book. "Unfogging the Future. Very good guide to all your basic fortune-telling methods - palmistry, crystal balls, bird entrails.".
Simran, Hermione and Ron took one copy for each of them. Natasha's eyes fell on another book, which was among a display on a small table: Death Omens - What to Do When You Know the Worst Is Coming.
"Oh, I wouldn't read that if I were you," said the manager lightly, looking to see what Natasha was staring at. "You'll start seeing death omens everywhere. It's enough to frighten anyone to death."
But Natasha continued to stare at the front cover of the book; it showed a black dog large as a bear, with gleaming eyes. It looked oddly familiar. It looked exactly like the dog that she had seen at Magnolia Crescent. But she just thought it was an odd coincidence and shrugged it off. "Why were you looking at that book?", Ron asked curiously.
"Nothing.", Natasha lied as they went out of the bookstore. Then as they were taking a stroll along the alley, Natasha saw a familiar face in the posters which was stuck in the alley. It was of the escaped prisoner that she had seen in the muggle news. Hermione and Natasha exchanged glances to each other and decided to ask Ron about him. But Simran beat them to it. "Wait a second! I know that guy in the posters. I saw that guy in the news at the no-maj hotel! Is he a wizard?"
"Yeah. He is a wizard. He escaped from the Azkaban prison. It seems he is a big supporter of you-know-who!", Ron said to the three girls. The girls looked at each other with horrified expression. "A supporter of Voldemort? (Ron flinched at the mention of the name, and gave a glare to Natasha) How in the world did he escape the prison!? I thought Azkaban was supposed to be unbreakable!", Natasha said with a horrified face.
"Yeah. It seems he was second in command of You-know-who. When he fell, Black wanted to take over the leadership of the gang. Anyway, they cornered Black in the middle of a street full of Muggles and Black took out his wand and he blasted half the street apart, and a wizard got in the middle of the explosion killing twelve muggle bystanders with it. It seems he did all that with a single curse!", Ron said.
"He killed thirteen people with a single curse!? How is that even possible?!", Hermione asked with a shocked face.
"Yeah.", Ron said. "And can you guess what he did after that?". The three girls just shook their heads. "He just stood there and laughed. It seems when the aurors came, he was just standing there and laughing like a maniac. Dad said that the ministry had a hard time covering up the mess. It seems that, the muggle's memories were modified so that they will blame it on a gas explosion."
"That is so horrible. I hope that, they will catch Black as soon as they can. The last thing I want is coming face to face with a such a lunatic.", Simran said.
"Yeah. I am sure that the ministry is putting the most effort.", Ron said. Natasha was very disturbed by the news and wondered what was the implication of all this to her. She knew that, if Black was a big follower of Voldemort, it was sure that he considered her an enemy too. She hoped that, Black did not consider pursuing her for now, as she did not want another one of his lackey followers after her. Then they all went back to the leaky cauldron where the elders were waiting for them.
"Had a nice shopping?", Mrs. Weasley asked with a smile.
The five of them smiled saying yes. All of them were hungry, as they did not yet eat lunch and it was already four in the evening. The three families and Natasha sat in three tables and ate their lunch. Natasha saw Mr. Weasley looking at his watch, and glancing at the hallway. He was also throwing glances at Natasha often. After they had finished their lunch at four thirty, Tom the barman came to Mr. Weasley and whispered something to him. Mr. Weasley nodded, looked at Natasha and said, "The minister for magic Cornelius Fudge is here Natasha, and he wishes to see you."
Natasha was shocked at this and asked," Why does the minister want to see me, Mr. Weasley?"
"I think that, he will be the best person to explain that to you, Natasha. He is in room number 681.", Mr. Weasley said.
"I will see you guys in a few minutes.", Natasha said to her three friends as she rose up to meet the minister. Tom the barman led her to the room in which the minister was in and opened the door for her.
The minister was standing beside a desk and smiled at her, as she came in. "Hello, Natasha. I am Cornelius Fudge minister for magic.", he said giving her a hand. Natasha shook the hand politely. Natasha already knew this, of course; she had seen Fudge once before, but as she had been wearing her father's Invisibility Cloak at the time, Fudge wasn't to know that.
"Here's Natasha, Minister!" said Tom. "Will you be wanting anything? Beer? Brandy?"
"Perhaps a pot of tea," said Fudge, who still hadn't let go of Natasha.
"Sit down, Natasha," said Fudge, indicating a chair by the fire.
Natasha sat down, feeling goose bumps rising up her arms despite the glow of the fire. Fudge took off his pinstriped cloak and tossed it aside, then hitched up the trousers of his bottle-green suit and sat down opposite Natasha. Tom the innkeeper reappeared, wearing an apron over his nightshirt and bearing a tray of tea and crumpets. He placed the tray on a table between Fudge and Natasha and left the room, closing the door behind him.
"Why did you call me here, sir?", Natasha asked politely.
"To meet you of course, and to tell you something you ought to know.", the minister said cheerfully.
"What is it, sir?", Natasha said.
"I just want to speak to you about your safety, Natasha. You might know that, there is a escaped convict out there, who was a follower of you-know-who.", the minister said.
"Yes sir, I do know that.", Natasha said. She feared of what the minister was going to say to her next.
"I have valuable information that, he might be a concern for safety for you.", the minister said with a grim expression.
"I-is he after me sir?", Natasha asked with slight fear in her tone.
"Of course not. All I ask you to is to be extra careful. You don't want to come face to face with an escaped convict, do you?", the minister asked.
Natasha shook her head. She could feel that, the minister was hiding something from her, but she thought not to ask him anything.
"I know that, you are staying at your friend's home. I would advise you to stay here in the leaky cauldron for the rest of the holidays, as you are more safe here, But seeing that you are comfortable there, I can say only to remain cautious and not to wander far.", the minister said.
"I will be cautious sir. I stay in a neighbourhood where many people live. I think it will be a bit difficult for him catch me there.", Natasha said.
"I do hope so, Natasha. The wizarding world doesn't want to lose you, do they?", the minister said. Natasha just nodded.
"I think that will be all for today, Natasha. I hope to meet you under different circumstances. I am sure that your friends will be waiting for you.", the minister said.
Natasha nodded at the minister and went out of the room. When she went to the table, her three friends looked at her questioningly. Natasha just sent a look that said, "Later.". After that, they all said their goodbyes and went.
While they were going back, Mrs. Granger turned to Natasha and Hermione and said, "The three families have made a decision that, we will come to the leaky cauldron on August 31st and spent a night there and have a dinner there. Is it alright with you girls?". The two of them nodded enthusiastically. The Grangers had decided that, as soon as they finished the dinner they will leave Simran and Natasha in the care of the Weasleys. Even Gupta family was also planning the same thing. It was a really good idea for them. Then Natasha went on to tell what happened when she met with the minister. Mrs. Granger was horrified when she heard the fact that, there might be an escaped convict after Natasha and promised her that they will keep her keep her safe. Natasha felt really good hearing this.
The days leading to August 31st, was nearly the same as the days before. They were talking to Simran every alternate day and even Ron called through pay phone, which turned a really funny call. Ron was using the phone for the first time, and actually started shouted into the receiver. Natasha and Hermione somehow made him calm down and talk normally, but Ron did not attempt to make another phone call after that.
On the evening of 31st the four of them started from home at four thirty and reached London by half past six. As soon as they reached the leaky cauldron they found the Weasleys already inside booking rooms for them. They saw that even the Gupta family had reached the place, and was sitting around a table talking to each other. Hermione and Natasha greeted all of them, and as soon as the rooms were booked, they sat around a table and ordered dinner. They talked about many things, and had a fun time having dinner together. The Guptas were planning to go back to India on 2nd and were planning to come back on June 20th. It was decided that, Ginny, Natasha, Hermione and Simran were going to stay in a room which was fairly big with bunk beds and Ron, Percy and the twins in another. Just after the dinner Mr. and Mrs. Granger gave a hug to Hermione and Natasha and the Guptas did the same to Simran as a good bye.
"How're we getting to King's Cross tomorrow, Dad?" asked Fred the two families left.
"The Ministry's providing a couple of cars," said Mr. Weasley.
Everyone looked up at him. "Why?" said Percy curiously.
"It's because of you, Perce," said George seriously. "And there'll be little flags on the hoods, with HB on them-"
"- for Humongous Bighead," said Fred.
"Why are the Ministry providing cars, Father?" Percy asked again, in a dignified voice.
"Well, as we haven't got one anymore," said Mr. Weasley, "and as I work there, they're doing me a favor..."
His voice was casual, but Natasha couldn't help noticing that Mr. Wesley's ears had gone red, just like Ron's did when he was under pressure.
"Good thing, too," said Mrs. Weasley briskly. "Do you realize how much luggage you've all got between you? A nice sight you'd be on the Muggle Underground...You are all packed, aren't you?"
"Ron hasn't put all his new things in his trunk yet," said Percy, in a long-suffering voice. "He's dumped them on my bed."
"You'd better go and pack properly, Ron, because we won't have much time in the morning," Mrs. Weasley called down the table. Ron scowled at Percy.
After dinner everyone felt very full and sleepy. One by one they made their way upstairs to their rooms to check their things for the next day. Ron and Percy were next door to the girls. The girls had just closed and locked his own trunk when their heard angry voices through the wall, and went to see what was going on.
The door of number twelve was ajar and Percy was shouting.
"It was here, on the bedside table, I took it off for polishing -"
"I haven't touched it, all right?" Ron roared back.
Then the saw heard Fred and George enter the room from the door of their room. "What's up, Percy? Did Ronnie throw your badge?", one of the twins asked.
"My Head Boy badge is gone, and you both better not be the ones who took it!" said Percy, rounding on twins. He was still shouting.
"So's Scabbers's Rat Tonic," said Ron, throwing things out of his trunk to look. "I think I might've left it in the bar -"
"You're not going anywhere till you've found my badge!" yelled Percy.
Natasha found all this very silly, and then remembered that she had left something downstairs. "I have to go down for something. I will be back in five minutes.", she said to the other girls. They just nodded.
Natasha was halfway along the passage to the bar, which was now very dark, when she heard another pair of angry voices coming from the parlour. A second later, she recognized them as Mr. and Mrs. Weasleys.
She hesitated, not wanting them to know she'd heard them arguing, when the sound of his own name made her stop, then move closer to the parlor door.
"...makes no sense not to tell her," Mr. Weasley was saying heatedly. "Natasha's got a right to know. I've tried to tell Fudge, but he insists on treating Natasha like a child. She's thirteen years old and -"
"Arthur, the truth would terrify her!", said Mrs. Weasley shrilly. "Do you really want to send Natasha back to school with that hanging over her? For heaven's sake, she's happy not knowing!"
"I don't want to make her miserable, I want to put her on his guard!" retorted Mr. Weasley. "You know what the four of them are like, wandering off by themselves - Natasha ended up in the Forbidden Forest twice, and the others at least once! But Natasha and the others mustn't do that this year!"
"But Arthur-", Mrs. Weasley started.
"Molly, they say Sirius Black's mad, and maybe he is, but he was clever enough to escape from Azkaban, and that's supposed to be impossible. It's been three weeks, and no one's seen hide nor hair of him, and I don't care what Fudge keeps telling the Daily Prophet, we're no nearer catching Black than inventing self-spelling wands. The only thing we know for sure is what Black's after -" , he said.
Then Natasha realized something. The minister had lied to her. Sirius Black was truly after her. It was not something surprising as she already deduced that from the minister's behaviour.
"But Natasha will be perfectly safe at Hogwarts."
"We thought Azkaban was perfectly safe. If Black can break out of Azkaban, he can break into Hogwarts."
"But no one's really sure that Black's after Natasha -"
There was a thud on wood, and Natasha was sure Mr. Weasley had banged his fist on the table.
"Molly, how many times do I have to tell you? They didn't report it in the press because Fudge wanted it kept quiet, but Fudge went out to Azkaban the night Black escaped. The guards told Fudge that Blacks been talking in his sleep for a while now. Always the same words: "He's at Hogwarts...he's at Hogwarts. He's so mad that, he even got her gender wrong! I have no idea what he will do when he comes in front of her" Black is deranged.
Natasha was a little confused by this. Did Black truly went so mad that, he got her gender wrong? Was the prison that bad?
"If you ask me, he thinks murdering Natasha will bring You-Know-Who back to power. Black lost everything the night Natasha stopped You-Know-Who, and he's had twelve years alone in Azkaban to brood on that..", Mr. Weasley continued.
Natasha wanted hear more, so she leaned more closer.
"Well, Arthur, you must do what you think is right. But you're forgetting Albus Dumbledore. I don't think anything could hurt Natasha at Hogwarts while Dumbledore's Headmaster. I suppose he knows about all this?", Mrs. Weasley said.
"Of course, he knows. We had to ask him if he minds the Azkaban guards stationing themselves around the entrances to the school grounds. He wasn't happy about it, but he agreed."
Natasha was horrified. She knew that, the Azkaban guards were soul sucking creatures called dementors. She had heard that, they were the most foul creatures. "Whose idea was it to place those creatures there?", she thought.
"Not happy? Why shouldn't he be happy, if they're there to catch Black?"
"Dumbledore isn't fond of the Azkaban guards,", said Mr. Weasley heavily. "Nor am I, if it comes to that...but when you're dealing with a wizard like Black, you sometimes have to join forces with those you'd rather avoid."
"If they save Natasha -"
"Then I will never say another word against them, said Mr. Weasley wearily. "It's late, Molly, we'd better go up..."
Natasha heard chairs move. As quietly as she could, she hurried down the passage to the bar and out of sight. The parlour door opened, and a few seconds later footsteps told her that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were climbing the stairs.
She found bag she was searching for near the table she sat and hurried upstairs. Fred and George were crouching in the shadows on the landing, heaving with laughter as they listened to Percy dismantling his and Ron's room in search of his badge. When Natasha went near them, they came to her and said, "See the badge. Don't you think, this fits him more?"
The badge now read Bighead Boy. Natasha forced a laugh and went back to her room. The four girls were sitting and chatting with each other. Natasha thought that, she will explain what she found out later and went on to join the chat. But her mind was full of thoughts about black. After the girls finished the chatting, they went for sleep. Natasha got the bottom bunk and Hermione went for the top.
Natasha lay listening to the muffled shouting next door and wondered why she didn't feel more scared. Sirius Black had murdered thirteen people with one curse; Mr. and Mrs., Weasley obviously thought Natasha would be panic-stricken if she knew the truth. But Natasha happened to agree wholeheartedly with Mrs. Weasley that the safest place on earth was wherever Albus Dumbledore happened to be. Didn't people always say that Dumbledore was the only person Lord Voldemort had ever been afraid of? Surely Black, as Voldemort's right-hand man, would be just as frightened of him? But Natasha was Genuinely scared. If Black could break out of prison full of those foul creatures, she knew that getting to her might not be a hard task. She now even feared that, she will not be allowed to go to Hogsmeade due to security reasons. That would be a real downer to her if that happened.
Nobody would want Natasha to leave the safety of the castle until Black was caught; in fact, Natasha suspected her every move would be carefully watched until the danger had passed. But she knew that, she had to try.
Unbidden, the image of the beast in the shadows of Magnolia Crescent crossed his mind. What to do when you know the worst is coming...
"I'm not going to be murdered," Natasha said out loud.
"That's the spirit, dear," said her mirror sleepily.