CHAPTER TWELVE: INVASION OF PRIVACY

Erica and Nick sat in Ravenclaw Tower, wands in hand. They had spent the last hour and a half poking and prodding the small book with various spells. At long last, Erica picked the book off of the floor and opened its pages. Months and months worth or writing dating back to September first last year were written down in James's awkward print. She nodded to Nick, and the pair proceeded down to the Great Hall.

"There is nothing about this thing what so ever!" Nick said, slamming the book down I in front of Callie and Albus as they ate their bacon. Albus looked up. He looked tired.

"What's up with you?" Erica asked. Albus yawned.

"I couldn't get back into the Slytherin Dungeons last night " Albus yawned. "So, I slept outside pf the dungeos instead."

"And you didn't tell your house head about this?" Callie asked.

"No. Professor Dragonian would have just told me to use the password. Don't you think I would have already r tried that?!" Then, the tired Slytherin slammed his head down on the table. "I managed to get back in when the prefects came out this morning. And I did NOT enjoy lying to them about Why I was outside the door at six o'clock in the bloody morning!"

"Calm down, Al." Nick said, sliding into the seat next to him. He then took a piece of bacon from Albus' s plate.

"Either way," Erica said, glaring at her fellow Ravenclaw, "We can finally open this thing without having anything blow up in our faces."

"So, where do you begin?" Callie asked."I know! How bout one weel before his disappearance?"

"What are you four up to?"said a voice. The Fighters looked up from the conversation while Erica shoved the book quickly in her bag. It was a man with short, white hair, although he was very ypung by the looks of things and crystal blue eyes. It was Professor Applebee.

"Nothing at all, Professor!" Nick said calmly. "Just uh...comparing...Transfiguration notes?"

"Very well then." Applebee said. He turned to Albus. "Mr. Potter, Professor Dragonian wishes to speak to you after breakfast this morning." Albus almost choked.

"But sir, I didn't do anything wrong!" Albus protested. "I swear!"

"I believe you Potter, but I think it is about last night's...how to put this...circumstances."

"Oh. Right. I'll be right there then."

"I'll tell Professor Dragonian as soon as I can. I shall see you all in my class." And without another word, Applebee left. Erica withdrew the book from her bag.

"Maybe we should look at that somewhere more private." Nick remarked. "All Iin favor?"

"Aye!" The three of the stated together.

Nick led his friends to the library. It was quiet in there that day and no one could expect that these first years were up to anything.

They all sat down at a table well away from the entrance, so they couldn't be overheard. After looking around them, Erica took the book out of her bag and shoved it in Albus's hands.

"Why are you giving it to me?!" He said.

"Your brother " Erica said. "You read it." Albus sighed and opened the book to the last entry.

"November 16th," Albus read, "I can't believe our first Quidditch match of the year is tomorrow. I'm so exicted. Although, I have been paranoid as of late. I alwayd feel like someone is behind me or watching me. Every single time I turn around to check, no one's there. I feel so tense, but there is nothing to worry about. But I fear there is. I overheard Al and his friends talking about a Hufflepuff girl going missing. What if I'm going to be taken like her? I now fear for the safety of not only myself, but my friends, teammates, and family. There Iis something else I feel like I shoulf write down. When I came back from Quidditch practice, I went straight up to my dormitory. No one was there, and no one had been up there for a while, but there was a note on my bed. The ink was a brilliant red, as if it was in blood. The note said to not touch the Quaffle. It was signed by Kelly Osbourne, the same girl who went missing a week or two ago. I have to touch the Quaffle though, I'm chaser! But if something does happen to me, To whomever finds this, tell my family I love them. And tell Al that I'm sorry for all the times I may have hurt him."

Albus's voice faltered on the last line. A choking feeling was in his throat.

"You okay, Albus?" Callie asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.

""I'm fine." He replied. "Well, seems like Kelly managed to attempt to save my brother."

"She's a Hufflepuff alright." Nick said, "But she has a Gryffindor spirit, using a blood quill like that." The Fighters stared at Nick.

"A blood quill?" Erica said sternly. "But that's very dark magic, how could you know about those?"

"What's a blood quill?" Callie asked.

"A quill that carves whatever your writing into your hand. It also makes you write in your own blood." Albud answered. "My dad said he had to use one once or twice as well."

"Right." Nick said. "As for your question Erica, I just know this. I can't explain how or why but I just do."

"Like it's in your blood?" Callie said. Everyone bursted out laughing, to which the librarian made them leave.

"Well," Albus said, "Looks like we're one step closer to finding out what happened and to finding James!"

What is going on here? Like Albus said, Those Fighters are on the right track to solving this mystery.

Questions for this chapter: What's taking the students? Why couldn't Albus get back into the Slytherin Dungeons? And how DID Nick know about the blood quill?

See ya later!