Chapter Four: The Bird and the Orifice.

Markus was once again accustomed to the lifestyle at Hogwarts. Ghosts appearing out of walls while walking to classes, pumpkin juice and fresh scones every morning for breakfast and seeing his friends was a part of everyday life at school.

Cherier was wishing she was back at home to watch the Quidditch World Cup with her father and Tim, while Markus felt as happy as he did at home.

Everyone had forgotten about the small bout that Markus had in the common room over Roderick Seed a few days ago. Though Markus thought Roderick seemed a little shifty when he spoke to him.

'Where? Who?' Thursday had arrived and Markus was feeling unusually cranky. It had rained all night, but the sky was clearing up as Markus could see in the Great Hall ceiling at breakfast time.

'There, over there' Cherier pointed to a tall lady sitting at the front of the great hall with the rest of the teachers. She looked overly happy and had curly brown hair tied up in a bun, 'She's the new Healing teacher.'

The new Professor was talking to McGonagall, looking at her through a pair of small glasses.

Markus didn't say anything and began eating the pancakes set before him.

'I heard she is really nice.' Cherier had already finished eating a whole plate of omelette and was reading one of her books for Potions. 'How did you go with your Muffling Draught report? Mines OK. I mean, well, I did study a lot. It's really hard to find any information on the ingredients. I can't believe Snape set us such a hard assignment in the first week. Well, I guess we are fifth-years now, so all the work is going to be tough –'

Cherier would not stop talking, and Markus was getting even more annoyed every word she spoke. He was thinking about Teahorn and Bloodgood again, but he wanted to focus on school rather than something he shouldn't be fussing over.

'– somewhere, but he didn't even realise. Even Tim was surprised...' She was still talking, but her voice drowned into silence as Markus ignored her blather.

Markus made a promise with himself that he would return to the old Markus Starr, the Markus that was cheerful every day of school and studied his homework every chance he could get. He assured himself that the incident would not crawl into his brain anymore, and that his father is well and back to work again.

CRASH

Thunder struck out of nowhere and everyone in the great hall screamed. Markus jumped out of his skin and looked up at the ceiling, which was now raining heavily once again.

'What is this?' Cherier yelled, 'it's not usually this rainy at the beginning of Fall!'

All the teachers were frantically chatting to each other and staring up at the ceiling.

'Markus'

He ignored Cherier.

'Markus!'

'What?'

'Look…' She pointed to one of the high windows near the front of the hall, there was a small blue bird sitting on the window pane outside. 'That's the bird! The same bird I saw down at the passage.'

Markus stared at the bird and could swear that it was looking at them.

'Let's go down to the passage, maybe it wants me there again'

'No, Cherier'

'Markus, come on!'

'It's just a bird.' He didn't want to get involved with this and didn't want to risk getting in trouble for sneaking around near the Forbidden Passage, and at the same time he was thinking about how much of a fool Cherier must be to think a bird wants her attention.

She left her seat, 'Well I'm going then, with or without you.', and walked off.

Markus sighed curtly and followed her.

'You can't go meddling near the Forbidden Passage! There is a reason why it's forbidden!' Markus hissed. He was trying to keep up with Cherier, who was walking at a speedy pace with determination gleaming in her eyes.

'I know! I'm just… interested.'

They kept walking, each step Cherier took was as curious as the next. Markus was walking behind her impatiently.

Portraits on the marble walls surrounding them were looking at them strangely, whispering to each other. 'Where are they off to this early?'

The air surrounding them all of a sudden seemed cold and hard to breathe in as they entered the dim and damp smelling dungeons a few floors below the Great Hall.

A dark figure shot from around the corner just as they were about to reach the Forbidden Passage. It was Professor Snape.

Cherier halted and gasped.

'Where are you two headed?' Snape said in a cold, stern voice.

Markus was rolling his eyes in anger behind Cherier, who was trying to think of an excuse as quick as possible. 'We were just err…. Just… We –'

'Save it' Snape interrupted, 'This area is forbidden. I don't suppose you are the slightest bit fervent as to get to my class this early' He raised one eyebrow, staring at the two. 'Twenty points from Ravenclaw. If I happen to see you wandering in out-of-bound areas once again, it will be more than house points you'll be losing.'

'Yes sir' Cherier briskly replied.

Snape walked off towards his classroom, smirking shrilly.

'I knew it!' Markus steamed at Cherier, 'I knew we'd get caught'

'It's not my fault that Snappy Snape Pants happened to be there.'

'Yeah, well I actually want to win the house cup for a change - and avoid detention at that'

'Calm down Mark, a little discipline now and then can't hurt'

Markus grunted. He did not bother arguing back with Cherier.

'Okay, I promise I won't go wandering into trouble again…' Cherier said apologetically, feeling silly for saying it. She could see that Markus wasn't the slightest bit amused by the whole fiasco. 'I want more omelettes…'

The two walked back to breakfast rather slowly and silently, Cherier was humming and it was annoying Markus.

They entered the Great Hall once again, and the bell rang.

'Trust that' Markus muttered.

'Ugh. We should've just stayed in the dungeons.'

Markus and Cherier had Potions first up today, and were not looking forward to it. He had rushed his Muffling Draught report the previous night, which displeased him.

'Get out your books and open to page twenty-six.' Snape ordered as he sped into the classroom.

Everyone rustled through their bags for their books; Potions and Drafts for the Average Witch or Wizard.

'Can anybody tell me what the picture displays?'

There was a large picture at the introduction of section two that looked like a large lump of oozing flesh.

Silence filled the classroom and nobody raised their hand.

'Not one of you knows?' Snape jeered. 'It is a Bogwald liver. An extremely potent ingredient used for the Mencaro Potion you will begin brewing during today's lesson and carrying on to next Tuesday. And considering you all failed to answer me, I want a twenty inch report on Bogwald livers by next lesson.'

Markus looked over at Hilda Hinkerbridge, who was whispering something to Valen Glass; they were both looking at Markus and giggling. He ignored them and focused on Professor Snape.

'Get out your scales and potion kits and turn to page twenty-four. The Mencaro Potion is often used to clear one's mind, maintaining you a high sense of alert for at least thirty hours. You may find it useful after a rough sleep. Concentration is at its peak once consumed.'

'I could do with some of that' Markus whispered to Denver, who was sitting next to him.

He looked down the ingredients list and walked to the front of the classroom to obtain them.

Both Denver and Cherier were trying their hardest to hold their breath while slicing the Bogwald livers, the smell was foul. Markus was contently powdering his Sneezewort root. He looked over at Hilda and Valen once again; they were both staring at Markus and giggling.

'What are those two laughing at?' he leant towards Denver and whispered to him.

'Who?'

Markus nodded his head in their direction, 'them' he said.

Denver looked over at Valen as she shot him an evil look. 'Ugh. Ignore them.'

Markus forcedly smiled at Valen and continued his potion.

There was a large bang on the other side of the classroom; everyone looked over at Darby Cling, whose face was covered with a lumpy purple goo.

'You're meant to add the dried Oakshell leaves before the Herpyg spleen, Mr. Cling!' Snape yelled.

Markus and Cherier were leaving Herbology later that day. He decided to walk Cherier to her Ancient Runes class, as he had his first Healing lesson.

'That South-Wood Snapdragon was nasty' she said as they walked towards the Hogwarts castle from the greenhouses, 'It nearly took my finger off! Did you see?'

Markus smiled, 'Well at least you weren't the one who had to feed it it's breakfast of Jeeherzies. I could've been bitten and stung at the same time'.

Cherier stopped walking dead in her tracks.

'What's up, Cherier?' Markus turned to face her, 'What –'

'Is that? Oh god. Again' she pointed towards a tree near them, and the exact same blue bird was walking along one of the bald branches.

'Cherier, just forget about the darn bird. There's probably hundreds flying around.'

'But this one has orange circles around each eye. Look!' she hissed.

Markus grabbed her arm and pulled her along. 'It's just a bird…'

Cherier seemed so certain that there was something unusual about this bird, Markus was silently curious. He also believed it was suspicious that a bird was inside the Hogwarts castle, leading Cherier into forbidden areas, but he tried to avoid the fact so that she wouldn't get him into any more trouble.

'Hello class!'

A tall woman with curly locks of brunette hair tied back beamed at the class rather happily and introduced herself.

'Blotorny Rooset is the name. Glad to be a professor at this fine academy, and glad to be teaching you lot!'

Everyone in the class looked at her confusingly and a few people were gaping at her as if she was some type of lunatic dancing around the classroom singing lullabies. Markus sat alone, rather moved by her cheerfulness.

'I've been a Healer at St. Mungos for over 25 years now, I decided to retire my career to come and help my great friend, Albus Dumbledore, by taking over your previous Healing teacher. My aim is to reach out to you all and inspire you to care for other magical folk as I do. I want to bring fun into healing! And fun we will have. We Healers have an aptitude for entertainment.'

Markus was slightly mesmerized by her long satin robes, which were clearly too large for her and swaying around gracefully every time she moved. He could see that she had a few twigs stuck in the back of her hair, but was too embarrassed to inform her.

Professor Rooset looked directly at Markus from the front of the room through her golden spectacles and continued speaking, but in a more serious tone of voice, 'You may all learn a few tricks which can prevent and protect you from the dark forces that this world can so vigorously execute.' She merely grimaced for a bit, which was unusual to see, then immediately grinned widely. 'Now, where shall I start? Aha! Your text books! Please get out your healing books and open to the first page, which should be the introduction.'

She seemed to be having fun already and the class had barely begun. Markus was amused by her enthusiasm. This teacher is incredible he thought.

'OK. First and foremost, I would like to say before we all read the introduction; I will be setting goals for us. I will not engage in merely teaching you, my aim is to train each and every one you of to equality. If any of you may fall behind, Madam Pomfrey has kindly suggested taking volunteers in break times to join her in the hospital wing for a bit of a helping hand.'

The class seemed to drag on forever, but it did not bore Markus one bit. He was enjoying every second of it.

Just as Markus walked into the portrait hole of the common room, Cherier appeared behind him.

'How was Healing?' She asked him as she, too, walked into the hole.

'Yeah it was great actually. Check this out.' He pulled his pearly wand out of his robe pocket and pointed it at Cherier's nose. She went cross-eyed looking at it.

'Purgonasum!'

A tiny dim spiral came from the tip of his wand and disappeared instantly. 'Well?' he said, 'Breathe in.'

Cherier looked at him, befuddled, and took a deep breath.

'No. Through your nose, through you nose!'

So she breathed in through her nose. 'Hey, it feels nice and clear. Like… like I'll never have to blow my nose again!'

Markus chortled, 'Neat hey? Just a little charm I learned in Healing today for clearing the nose of bogies.'

The two joined Denver at their favourite table and Cherier began talking about the bird yet again. She told Denver all about it, in hope that he might be a little more interested than Markus and perhaps would consider joining her to snoop around in the dungeons, which to her surprise, he was interested.

'Let's go there now! Just quickly before dinner.'

'Ugh! NO.' Markus said loudly. 'I can't believe you Cherier! Trying to con Denver into your nosing around.'

'Nosing around? Like I said many times before Markus, I'm just interested! I think something may be hidden in there. Something that this bird wants me to know about.'

Denver got out of his seat. 'Markus, just come with us. I promise we won't get caught.'

Cherier also stood up. 'Forget about him Denver. He is too much of a girl.' She had had enough of Markus by this point.

Markus's face was heating up, now bright red in colour. The happiness that Professor Rooset had injected him with had now suddenly dilapidated. 'Alright I'll go.' Cherier had persuaded him with harassment. I will not be considered a fool he thought.

Markus found himself yet again making his way down towards the dungeons, this time with a third person; Denver.

They passed Professor Rooset at the staircase on the third floor. There was a look of suspicion on her face, but she did not say a word.

'Dumbledore will kill us if he finds out', Markus muttered, but Cherier and Denver simply ignored him. He clutched his wand inside of his pocket and took a deep breath, trailing behind the two.

'So this is the passage?' said Denver, looking the stone door up and down.

'Hmm. What a surprise, no bird. Now let's get out of here.'

'Shut up Markus, I'm sure I can open a door without a bird.' Cherier hissed.

Markus walked up to the stone door, looking around for teachers. He poked the door with his wand, and then tried pushing it.

'Are there any door-opening spells?' Denver said, 'Alohamora?'

'Alohamora!' Markus incanted, but nothing happened. 'Let's just try pushing it all together.' He said, rather heroically.

Cherier looked at him strangely, wondering what brought on his sudden aspiration and leadership, and pushed on the door along with Denver.

'Gurgh!' Cherier pulled back after a few seconds of pushing. 'There's got to be a way to open it!' she fumed.

Markus sat down on the floor and leant against the door with his head in his hands.

'Bombarda? Reducto?' Cherier suggested.

'We can't destroy the darn door!' Markus said. 'I have read about a spell… Carpe Retractum, the seize and pull charm. But I've never practiced it before, and I don't want to try…'

All of a sudden he fell backwards. The door opened. He stood up quickly, staring at the dark entrance. A wisp of cold lashed out of the blackness of the Forbidden Passage.

'What the – Lumos'. The tip of Markus's wand brightly glowed, lighting up his surroundings. Cherier and Denver done the same thing, and followed him into the passage.

The passage had a damp, musty smell and a claustrophobic feel to it. They walked in a line as the passage was narrow. They were completely surrounded by stone.

BOOM

The large door shut behind them, causing them to jump. Denver swore and continued to follow Markus. 'It's so… quiet in here' he said.

It was silent and chilly inside the passage that Markus began to doubt their existence. He reached the end of the passage. 'What have you gotten us into Cherier?' Markus had found the orifice that she had previously explained to him. It was made of stone and shaped like a lion's face, mouth wide open with jaws pointing out fiercely.

He placed his hand on the nostrils of the lion and gasped loudly, a warmth had splintered through his body.

'What's wrong Markus?' Cherier whispered with fear.

'I don't know. I – I touched the nose and – I felt a fuzzy feeling.'

'A fuzzy feeling?' Denver repeated.

'Yeah. It was sort of… warm and it shot up from my feet to my chest.'

'Strange…'

'I want to get out of here now' Cherier shakily whispered.

'You are the one who wanted to come here, so we're staying!' Markus spat, still trying to keep quiet. He turned around to see where Denver was. He was walking from wall to wall, sliding his hands along the cold stone.

'Shh! I can hear something!' Markus held his ear against the wall that the orifice was set upon. 'I can hear… water, running through pipes or something.'

There were indeed sounds of water coming from beyond the orifice wall. Denver was still wandering around else where, and Cherier decided to follow him.

Markus gasped. The water sounds were getting louder, as if it were coming closer. 'Quick! We need to get out of here! RUN!'

He began to run towards Cherier and water started bursting out of the orifice. Cherier screamed. 'MARKUS!'

The water had shot so powerfully that it hit Markus's backside, causing him to tumble over. Denver bent down to grab him by the arm, the water shooting him in the face, and pulled him up. Both Markus and Cherier had dropped their now un-lit wands and had to rely on Denver's glow.

'Where's my wand!' screamed Markus. 'QUICK!'

They fumbled around senselessly in the near pitch-black passage, which was rapidly filling up with water.

It was now up to their knees when they saw a white stick floating around them. It was Markus's wand, he groped it and screamed 'LUMOS MAXIMA!' the passage lit up dramatically, and the orifice widened, which made the water stream release larger amounts. The passage was filling up so quickly.

'HELP! SOMEONE HELP!' They screamed hopingly. 'SOMEBODY!'

The water now up to their necks, Markus said 'Cherier, take my wand!' The glow dimmed as he handed it to her and, eventually, went out. Markus attempted to swim towards the orifice underwater and shut it off, but the jet of the water was too powerful, pushing him back into Cherier's legs.

With only inches of air left to breathe, Cherier and Denver helplessly squashed their faces against the ceiling, floating. Neither of them could see a thing. 'MARKUS? M-MARKUS ARE YOU THERE?' Denver yelled, choking on the splashing water. 'Wait there Cherier, I must find him'

He dived under and swayed his arms around, groping nothing but water, in hope to find one of Markus's arms, but all of a sudden he was pulled back. He didn't know what was happening, he panicked and breathed in a huge gulp of water into his lungs and found himself out in the light of the dungeon floors, water gushing out of the stone door taking the three students with it. Denver could vaguely see people standing around him as he was struggling for breath.

'ANAPNEO!' yelled a voice, which was so indistinct to the three who were lying hopelessly on the flooded floor, the air returned to their lungs and they gasped for every breath they could get.

Several teachers and students were gathered around the Forbidden Passage entrance and they realised it was Dumbledore who cleared their airways.

'WHAT IS THIS?' Professor McGonagall yelled sternly.