DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter
John quite enjoyed Herbology, it was a relaxing class and the teacher, Professor Longbottom, who was also the Head of Gryffindor House, was a very interesting man that clearly had a passion for all the plants he worked with. Once class was over, John decided to look around the castle, while Isaac said he was meeting with Octavia.
John's wandering led him to the East Towers, passing the tricky poltergeist, Peeves, seemingly setting up some sort of prank on Filch. John thought it best not to get involved and continued to walk when he realised he took a wrong turn. Coming to a dead end, John saw a large painting on the wall, the painting showed a dark sky with a flock of Ravens. Something seemed off about the painting, unlike the other artwork in Hogwarts, this one didn't seem to move. John headed to the library for a bit and looked through Rudas' journal. It had been 3 months since he found it, and he still couldn't find a way to decipher the code. He had only managed to decode parts of a single page, which mentioned a Mandrake Leaf, the Moon, a Hawk Moth, want to heart and a lightning storm. John had no idea what the parts he decoded could mean. John had to give Rudas credit, he knew how to keep a secret.
John entered the Gryffindor common room when he tripped. He looked back at what he tripped on, it was a book, he picked it up and recognised it immediately, it was Isaac's book on Wizards in the Muggle World, a page corner was folded down. John's curiosity got the better of him and he opened the book.
Edgar Allen Poe
Born in Boston in 1809, Edgar Allan Poe first discovered his magic abilities at the age of 7, before eventually being accepted into Ilvermorny Wizarding Academy. During his sorting ceremony, Poe was accepted to join Horned Serpent, Thunderbird and Puckwudgie Houses, he chose to join Horned Serpent House. While attending Ilvermorny, Poe excelled at Charms, Potions & Defence Against the Dark Arts while he struggled with Flying & Herbology. Poe showed a great interest in literature and poetry. When he graduated from Ilvermorny, Poe turned his interest into a living, becoming the first known American author and poet to make a living from his literature alone. His most famous poem being his macabre story, The Raven.
John stopped reading and something sprang to mind, he had heard the story of The Raven before, and he remembered the signature line from the poem, 'Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore"!'. John remembered the riddle about the Chest of Dreams and how it could be found by a creature that could never more be quoted. There was a eureka moment for John, as he ran out of the room. He found Isaac and Octavia at the training grounds, practicing spells on the training dummies.
"John, what is it?" asked Isaac
"I've got it, the clue that leads to the Chest of Dreams." said John
"That's amazing, let's go find it."
"Not yet, too many people will see us, we'll have to sneak out at night when everyone else is asleep."
Later that night, John and Isaac snuck out of the Gryffindor common room, making sure not to wake anyone up. They met with Octavia in a hallway leading to the Ravenclaw tower.
"Well John, where's the clue?"
"Follow me."
John led his friends through the halls. Isaac carried a lantern in his hand. They saw a few professors, but they were able to stay hidden. They got to the East Towers and John led them to the dead end he had come across before, with the painting of the ravens.
"You think this painting might show the way to the chest?"
"Positive." said John, taking out his wand.
"John, what are you doing?"
"Revelio!"
The yellow light flashed from John's wand, but nothing happened.
"Huh?"
John tried again and again with no result.
"John, stop, it's not working, you must have made a mistake." said Octavia
"But…"
The sound of a meow caught the kid's attention, the trio turned, coming face to face with Argus Filch and Mrs. Norris.
"Uh oh."
No words were spoken, the students could only stand and stare at the caretaker and his cat. They knew that they wouldn't have any excuses. But did they need one?
To the surprise of the kids, Filch said nothing, only turning and walking away. Not wanting to take any risks or anyone else catching them, John, Isaac and Octavia rushed back to their respective rooms. John and Isaac were out of breath when they reached the Gryffindor Common Room.
"We're doomed, Filch is gonna get us expelled for this." said Isaac
"Calm down, Isaac, Filch doesn't have any proof that he saw us, without any evidence, it's just his word against ours."
"Oh, that's good."
John caught his breath when he realised something.
"Isaac, weren't you carrying a lantern?"
Isaac's fear immediately returned.
"Oh no, I must have dropped it."
John and Isaac returned to their beds, dreading the following morning. At breakfast the next day, with the Christmas holidays approaching, the prefects were tasked with asking around to see which students would be staying at Hogwarts for Christmas and which ones would be going to spend Christmas with their families. John and Isaac sat eating breakfast, worried about whenever Filch would tell the professors about them sneaking out last night.
They saw Filch having his own breakfast with Mrs Norris by his side.
"Think he's said anything yet?" whispered Isaac
"I don't know, my uncle always told me how much fun Filch finds it to get students in trouble, he might be waiting for the right time."
The sound of squeaky wheels caught John's attention and he looked to see the arrival of the wheelchair bound Transfiguration Professor, Onyx Firethorn, alongside the Deputy Headmaster, Marin Ironbark.
"Filch." said Ironbark
"Yes, sir?"
"Professor Ironbark and I were looking around the halls when we found this lantern, we wanted to know if you might have seen anything last night." said Professor Firethorn
This was it, John and Isaac could feel time slow down as they awaited Filch's response.
"No, hadn't seen nothing."
Wait, what?
"Mrs. Norris and I were patrolling the halls all night, though we may have heard something, turned out to just be Professor Cassowary's mongrel."
"Well, thanks anyway." said Professor Firethorn
John and Isaac were practically dumbfounded, did Filch just cover for them?
"Boys!"
The voice of Ashley, the Gryffindor prefect, snapped the boys out of their daze.
"Huh?"
"I was asking if you would be heading home or staying for Christmas."
"Oh, I'm going to be staying." said John
"Alright, what about you Isaac?"
"I'll be seeing my parents."
"Okay great."
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