1Chapter Eleven
The next morning, Minerva woke a little later than usual – 7 a.m., on a Saturday. She had problems falling asleep the night before, due to thoughts of a certain professor. She was heading to breakfast, not really paying much attention to her surroundings, when she saw it – when she saw her.
Lara was laying on the ground, a glazed look in her eyes, holding her mirror she used when performing the make-up charms they'd learned together.
Minerva ran to her side, "Lara, wake up!" she cried, touching her cold skin. "Lara don't be dead...please don't be dead..."
But Lara didn't move, however, there was definitely something magical at hand…Minerva muttered a quick "wingardium leviosa," and began leading Lara to Dumbledore's office. She first thought about leading her to the hospital wing, but Albus was closer…he might be able to sort it out on his own…
Minerva was glad the halls were empty – this would be an odd sight to explain. She reached Albus's office and pounded on the door. He answered, still in purple pajamas.
Tears had begun to flow. "Albus, what's wrong with her?"
Albus touched Lara's arm. "I believe she's petrified."
"How?" asked Minerva. "Did a student do this to her, or..." her voice trailed off.
Albus closed his eyes a moment. "I detect no traces of magic..."
"Well, no matter what happened, we must get her to the hospital wing!" Minerva said hurriedly. "Maybe Madam Cliodna has some Mandrakes…"
Albus nodded and took over leading Lara's body through the empty halls. They made their way through a number of secret passageways to avoid being seen, just in case, and made it up to the hospital wing safely.
"Madam Cliodna!" Minerva shouted. "Madam - "
"I'm here, child!" The elderly witch came out from behind a curtain, and saw Lara. "Oh dear...petrified?"
Albus nodded. Madam Cliodna shook her head sadly and motioned for Albus to put her in one of the beds. "Pity too, I know Professor Wenlock just sold his stock of Mandrakes, for fear of letting them go to waste...not to worry, we can buy some more."
Minerva sat by Lara's bed and gently tugged the mirror from her hand. She forced a laugh. "I always told her not to do her makeup and walk at the same time."
"Don't worry dear, she'll be fine as soon as we can round up some mandragora," Cliodna said soothingly. "Until then, there's really not much point in watching a petrified person...we can keep her here, but she won't need much attention..."
"May I still come visit, Madam Cliodna?" asked Minerva.
Her face was tinged with pity. "Of course dear...Albus, what do you think caused this?"
Albus shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine, Elladora. But if you hear of anything suspicious..."
Madam Cliodna nodded. "Yes, of course Albus...you'll be the first to know...aside from the headmaster, of course." She gave a little laugh.
"Thank you. Minerva and I must be off to her studies, but do keep an eye on Miss Sykes here."
She nodded again. Albus walked out of the hospital wing, with Minerva not far behind.
"She will be all right then, Albus?"
"Yes, do not spare it another thought," he said with a smile. "Petrifaction is easy enough to cure...it's just rather inconvenient."
When they were safely back in Albus's office, Minerva began unleashing her every thought. "Albus, I know she didn't have any enemies, she was a very sweet girl, really, this had to be a really bad accident, or something evil is amiss…"
"I know," Albus closed his eyes again. "We can rule out magic, remember Minerva, I detected no traces. This means that the petrifaction was either the cause of a potion or a creature. A potion causing petrifaction would work immediately, yet you saw no sign of a drinking apparatus around her body?"
Minerva shook her head. "Maybe it was in food?"
"A food she would've had to swallow in one bite," Albus continued. "Or several creatures also cause petrifaction…"
"Why would a creature be roaming the halls of Hogwarts?" Minerva asked hollowly.
Albus was quiet a moment. "The Chamber of Secrets."
Minerva gasped. "Tom Riddle – "
"It's possible," Albus interrupted her, "But we mustn't blame him. There is always the possibility he overheard someone speaking of opening the Chamber, and wanted to give us a tip-off. But yet, the chances of the Chamber being open now are quite high…we must exercise caution."
Minerva nodded. "I'll do everything I can to help."
Albus touched her face. "I would expect no less of you."