Chapter Fifteen: Here We Are, Don't Turn Away Now
"Start from the beginning," Ezekiel ordered.
"We went to Hufflepuff first," Aleksander started.
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The six Slytherin prefects and Professor Snape walked down the kitchen hall. The seventh years brought up the rear while the professor went first. When they reached the large stack of crates, Professor Snape faced a crate with a badger painted on it.
"Inform Professor Sprout that there is an emergency prefect meeting. We are waiting outside for her," he ordered, and the badger vanished. A few minutes later, six Hufflepuff prefects exited their common room, and the group followed Professor Snape up several staircases. The group was not talking, the Hufflepuffs falling into step with the Slytherins. When they reached the bronze eagle doorknocker, Professor Snape informed it of the meeting. After a few minutes wait, the six Ravenclaw prefects joined the group. Their last stop was Gryffindor, where it took an even longer few minutes for their prefects to join the group.
Finally, they arrived at an abandoned classroom. Snape left the group of teens to their own and left.
"Muffliato," Anna cast. Aleksander began the meeting.
"First order of business- who else is missing classmates?" Everyone raised their hands, and he turned to the Gryffindors first. "Luis, who are you missing?"
"First year Ron Weasley, and third year Kenneth Towler," the seventh year Gryffindor prefect replied. Aleksander turned to the Ravenclaws next.
"Just third year Silver Fawcett," Kali Jackson, the seventh year prefect replied, "but first years Mandy Brocklehurst and Morag MacDougal are still in the hospital wing." Aleksander nodded and turned to Hufflepuff.
"First years Sally-Anne Perks and Zachariah Smith are still in the hospital wing. First years Justin Finch-Fletchley, Wayne Hopkins, Hannah Abbott, and Susan Bones are missing. Second years Fiona Liore and Undine Yttria are still in the hospital wing. Fifth year Jo Inman is the other one missing," Roy Lochmond answered. Aleksander sighed.
"First years Tracey Davis and Theodore Nott are both in the hospital wing. Second year Athelstan Hart and fourth years Terrence Higgs and Richard Morris are also still missing," Lissabetta said.
The room fell silent for a moment.
"No one outside of Hogwarts is going to hear about this," Raylee Cunningham, sixth year Ravenclaw, muttered.
"As per usual," Luis agreed.
"But onto our next topic- how many of you know there's a Cerberus in the school?" Dorian asked. His reply came with lots of startled looks.
"There is a Cerberus. In the school," Averill Rhett –fifth year Gryffindor- growled.
"That's, that's just as crazy as a griffin getting loose in the school," Jane Dockwood –seventh year Gryffindor- said.
"We need to let someone outside the school know," Maria said.
"We send letters every time something crazy happens, but they're always ignored. It's useless!" Lance Jorkins replied. The sixth year Gryffindor stood and crossed his arms. "Everyone always writes it off. Kids have almost died every year here, at least since my sister was a first year and every year since."
"Wait- we all send letters, but do we have any other way of contacting people while we're here?" Grace-Marie asked, looking very thoughtful.
"No," Averill replied. "What are you getting at?"
"The mail," Grace-Marie muttered. "The mail's getting tampered!"
Everyone froze. A dragon could've walked by the classroom, eaten Professor Snape, and roared, and no one in the room would've reacted.
"You mean they screen our mail here?" Roy asked, looking sickened.
"They'd have to, I guess," Jane muttered.
"So- how?" Averill asked.
"Could be a charm, cued to certain phrases to make them ignored," Raylee suggested.
"You think complicated," Gertrude Smith, a Gryffindor, muttered.
"She thinks Slytherin," Anna corrected. "If I wanted to make sure certain information didn't get out, while not alerting people to the tampering, that's what I would do. Cue it to phrases like Cerberus, three-headed dog, third-floor corridor, troll, attack, things like that."
"That may answer the question of how, but not who," Dorian replied.
"Isn't that obvious?" Penelope Clearwater finally spoke up.
"Dumbledore," Lissabetta hissed.
Percy Weasley stood up.
"Professor Dumbledore would never do something so- so- horrible!" he protested.
"Oh, we know how your family is in his pocket," Marcus muttered.
"He does make a good argument," Adelaide Proudfoot (seventh year Hufflepuff) said. "Dumbledore is the leader of the Light. Why would he do something unlawful like that?"
"Are we talking about the same Dumbledore?" Dorian asked. "Because a 'leader of the Light' wouldn't try and Compel an eleven-year-old!"
"He would never!" Percy growled, and a few people nodded.
"He did- and those of us with proficient enough Occlumency shields have noticed him using Legilimancy on us before," Grace-Marie replied.
"Says the Slytherin," Gertrude said.
"I've noticed it," Chase Callahan, a seventh year Ravenclaw, said.
"Why would you have Occlumency shields?" Penelope asked, tilting her head.
"I'm the Heir to the House of Callahan. We may not have a Wizengamot seat, but we have things we need to keep private," Chase replied.
"Wait- I remember Susan Bones asking me about Legilimancy and twinkly eyes. I pointed her in the direction of a couple books," Penelope said. "Anyone else see the way Dumbledore's eyes twinkle?"
Assorted nods.
"I think Daphne has those books right now," Anna mused, looking thoughtful.
"I've seen their little study group in the library- all the Slytherin firsties, three Hufflepuffs, three Ravenclaws, two Gryffindors," Leo Hawkins (fifth year Ravenclaw) said.
"Yeah, only Slytherin firsties I've ever seen to ally themselves so quickly with the other Houses," Kali said.
"They're pretty remarkable," Aleksander replied, smiling.
"I think it's good for the Houses," Eron said.
"Yeah, but it doesn't solve our Cerberus-Troll-mail problem, does it?" Luis asked.
"The next Hogsmeade weekend is in three weeks," Chase said, "we can have a group Floo to the Ministry."
"Problem- we'd be sent straight back, or not even allowed to go. We're not allowed to leave the grounds or Hogsmeade," Penelope replied.
"Ugh," Lissabetta groaned. "We can't wait for Yule- what if the Cerberus got loose before then? Not to mention, if Mason and Madeline Laurel could get in there without noticing, that begs the question of why the wards are so weak two third years can get in."
"Actually…" Lance said, looking extremely uncomfortable. "Seamus Finnegan, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom said they got in there. Said they were hiding from Filch and all it took was a simple alohamora."
Several of the prefects swore.
I think, for now, we need to return to our Houses and ask them for a way to contact the outside world before Yule," Aleksander suggested. The idea met no resistance, and the Prefects dispersed.
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"You need a way to contact someone outside that's not mail…" Desdemona muttered. "We… Already have that covered."
"What do you mean?" Aleksander asked, narrowing his eyes as Snape left the common room.
"We mean we already have a group sneaking down to the Three Broomsticks to Floo out and get backup," Desdemona replied.
"Who is in this group?" Lissabetta asked.
"Draco Malfoy, Jonah Sullivan, Matthew Sprague, Shasta Robinson, and Justina North," Desdemona replied.
"I'm going to guess their destination is Malfoy Manor," Anna said.
"You would be correct," Desdemona replied.
"Well, I guess there's not much we can do for now, so I guess we should all go to sleep," Aleksander said. Slowly the common room emptied.
The four remaining first year boys made their way to their dorm. They were quiet the whole way down.
They had another restless night.
Wow. Over one hundred followers on this thing. I can't thank you guys enough. You are amazing for sticking with me this long, and while I know some of you probably don't read the updates anymore it's still slightly awe-inspiring. Thanks. I love you all 3
And in other news, I'm passing my college courses! Yay! Term is over in a couple of weeks so more yay!
Next Time: Amelia Bones v Dumbledore
Question: Thanksgiving with family? Or no?
