Chapter 8: Whispers in the Halls

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"Oi!"

Elena and I glanced up from our timetables, which we'd been comparing. I half-expected to see the Weasley twins, even though they were sitting across from us. However, it was none other than Harry Potter striding into the Great Hall followed by Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom. They came to a stop behind me. I turned to face them. Harry looked furious. I saw the other students glance our way, looking curious.

"Yes?" I said, raising an eyebrow.

"You're Alyssa Summers, yeah?" he asked.

"Er...yeah. Can I help you?"

In answer, he slammed a crumpled sheet of parchment onto the table in front of me. I frowned and picked it up, smoothing it out gingerly. I scanned the first couple of lines. This was my mother's letter. He'd read it! I opened my mouth to demand what he thought he was doing, but then I looked back down at my mother's handwriting. My heart plummeted to my feet.

"You found my letter," I said in a voice that sounded too high-pitched to be mine.

"Found out your secret, more like," Harry said.

"What secret?" I asked.

He scoffed. "You're the one helping Sirius Black into the castle!"

If people hadn't been staring before, they were now. Even the teachers were watching us. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Professor Lupin stand. Behind Harry, Hermione Granger plucked at his sleeve.

"Harry," she whispered, her voice shrill-sounding. "We can't just accuse he-"

"She's helping him!" Harry said, louder than before.

"You're wrong," I said, startled by the look Harry was giving me. My voice stopped working.

Harry laughed without humor. "It's all right there, in the letter. You're his cousin. You're a Black."

"I'm not!" I protested, managing to get the words out after a few moments. "I wouldn't."

"Then how is he getting in?" Harry demanded.

"I...I don't know. He's clever!"

"Harry," Professor Lupin said. He'd come up behind me without my noticing. "I think that's enough."

"She's-"

"I think you should sit down," Lupin said firmly. "We're not accusing anyone of anything until we have the facts. Alyssa..."

"Professor, please," Elena spoke up. "Not now. Can't it wait?"

He looked down at me. I didn't bother to hide the fact that I was shaking; I couldn't help it, anyway. I could suddenly feel everyone's eyes on me. It was like being under a blinding spotlight. One that I wanted to get away from. George was looking at me like he'd never seen me before. Fred was glaring down at his plate.

Suddenly, I couldn't stand it. I didn't remember getting up, but I found myself outside the Great Hall. My feet seemed to be moving of their own accord, carrying me along the corridors. I wasn't running, exactly, but I was walking faster than I normally would've, desperate to get away from all those accusing stares.

I somehow ended up in the Owlery, sliding into a sitting position against the wall, briefly checking to make sure that the patch of floor I was sitting on was free of owl droppings and animal skeletons. The owls regarded me curiously. My Barn Owl, Athena, spread her wings and soared down to perch on my knee. I smiled reluctantly, stroking her feathers as she watched me with her large black eyes.

"Sorry," I told her. "I don't have anything for you today."

"Are you talking to a bird?"

I nearly jumped out of my skin. George was standing in the doorway. He grinned as I put a hand over my heart.

"You git," I scowled. "You scared me."

"Sorry," he chuckled, sitting next to me. His laughter didn't show in his eyes, which made me nervous. "You know, you shouldn't run off like that. Aside from the fact that Elena's worried sick, you left all your stuff." He dropped my bag into my lap and pulled my letter out of his pocket. I couldn't quite meet his eyes as I took it from him.

"Where is she?" I asked. "'Lena, I mean."

"I told her to go to class, that I'd find you."

"Well," I sighed. "You found me. What now?"

"Can I see this?" he asked.

He was pointing at the letter I held tightly in my fist.

"You haven't read it already?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. He shook his head. I looked between him and the letter for several moments before shrugging and handing it over.

"Why not?" I sighed, closing my eyes. "It can't do anymore damage than it's already done."

We were both quiet for several minutes. Presumably, George was reading the letter. Athena broke the silence by hooting dolefully, probably mourning that fact that I hadn't brought her a treat. George chuckled. I opened one eye to look at him.

"What is it?"

"I can't believe Harry actually thought you would be helping Sirius Black."

"You don't think I am?" I asked, opening my other eye.

George snorted. "Of course I don't. Anyone who does is an idiot."

It was so stupid, but I nearly started sobbing at the rush of relief I felt. As it was, I couldn't keep a few tears from escaping. George's eyes widened. He looked horrified.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my voice thick as I brushed my tears away. "Never seen a girl cry before?"

"Don't cry," he ordered. "I won't know what to do if you start crying. Why are you, anyway?"

"Because you don't think I'm helping my mass-murderer cousin break into the castle."

"That's good, though," he said uncertainly. "Isn't it?"

"Of course it is. That's why I'm crying, dolt."

"Women are strange creatures," he declared, getting to his feet and offering me a hand up. "I wonder if they ever get any easier to understand."

"Doubt it," I sighed, shoving the letter into my pocket.

George motioned me down the stairs ahead of him.

"I don't know if I'm ready to deal with everyone," I hesitated.

"Sure you are," he encouraged. "Besides, what are they going to do? I'm right here."

I nodded reluctantly and we left the Owlery. I wasn't paying much attention to where we were going, letting George lead me through the maze of corridors. The whole time, he kept up an endless stream of chatter, talking about Quidditch and pranks and who-knows-what-else. I didn't say much, but he didn't push me to. I was grateful for that.

We reached Transfiguration class twenty minutes late. Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, but didn't say anything as George pulled me over to sit with Elena, Fred, and a dark-skinned boy whose name I couldn't remember.

"'Lyssa," Elena sighed as I took the desk next to hers. "Are you all right?"

"Fine," I nodded. "I just needed some air."

She looked skeptical, but shrugged it off.

"Alyssa," George said, sitting across from Fred and in front of the other boy. "This is Lee Jordan. I don't know if you've met. Lee, Alyssa Summers."

"You're the girl everyone was talking about at breakfast," Lee said. "The one who's helping Sirius Black." I grimaced and he winked. "Hey, I won't judge. I like a bad girl, me."

"Good luck with that one," George snorted. "She doesn't have a bad bone in her body."

"Miss Summers," McGonagall called. I looked around and she pointed toward a box on her desk. "Please get two mice for yourself and Mr. Weasley."

I wish she hadn't mentioned George. He winked exaggeratedly as I stood. Fred rolled his eyes. I walked away before I could hear any comments either of them might have. I picked up two mice and was about to head back to my desk when Professor McGonagall spoke up.

"Miss Summers," she said quietly, so that no one else could hear. "I hope you understand that if you plan to help Sirius Black break into the castle tonight, I still expect you to hand in your homework tomorrow."

I couldn't help the wide grin spreading across my face. McGonagall actually smiled before sending me back to my seat.

I was the last one to enter Ravenclaw Tower that night. Everyone went silent as I entered.

"Oh, come on!" I protested in frustration. "Do you all really think that I'd help a mass-murderer?"

No one answered. Most of these people had known me for years, and as soon as an over-dramatic thirteen-year-old started making accusations, they turned on me. I rolled my eyes and headed for the stairs to my dorm. Sure enough, all the other girls were already in there. Just like the others in the common room, they went silent when I walked in.

"Glad to see you all believe me," I muttered, dropping my book bag on my bed.

"Of course we believe you," Megan insisted.

"I'd rather hear the whole story first," Jenna cut in. "Why does Harry think you're helping Black? Are you actually related to him?"

I sighed, changing into my pyjamas and climbing into bed as I thought carefully about what I needed to say.

"I can't tell you why Harry thinks what he does, Jenna. I can't read minds. But he's wrong."

She still looked skeptical. Kathy seemed to be trying to stay out of the conversation by burying her nose in a book. Samantha sat watching us, biting her lip nervously.

"Come on, Jen," Megan sighed. "We've known Alyssa for five years. She wouldn't do this. You know she wouldn't."

"Let her think what she wants, Megan," I said. "I don't have to explain anything."

Jenna drew the curtains around her bed and didn't reappear. Megan threw her hands up in exasperation.

"You look like Alex when you do that," I said, suppressing a smile. It felt good to say something a bit pointless, after all the drama I'd endured today.

"Good thing I'm not, though," she said. "Alex would've cleaned someone's clock by now."

"Fair enough," I agreed, grabbing an extra blanket. "Goodnight."

The other girls, excluding Jenna, echoed me, and Samantha turned out the lights.

I didn't go to sleep right away. I kept replaying everything in my mind. There were already whispers in the corridor, people who stopped talking and turned to stare when I walked by. Even Fred Weasley had thrown me a nasty glare that hurt a lot more than I cared to admit. And now one of my closest friends didn't believe me.

I rolled over and closed my eyes, trying to push the thoughts out of my mind. Everyone would come around.

Hopefully.

"Alyssa?" Professor Lupin called me back as I left Defense Against the Dark Arts. I walked back over to his desk.

"Yes, sir?"

"The headmaster told me to give you this," he said, handing me a small roll of parchment. I unrolled it to read,

Alyssa,

I would be delighted if you could come to my office at seven o' clock tonight. I will have Percy Weasley escort you, if you could meet him outside the Great Hall fifteen minutes before.

Sincerely,

Professor Dumbledore

P.S. I find Chocolate Cauldrons quite delicious.

I glanced up to see Professor Lupin watching me.

"He wants me to come to his office," I sighed. "This is about Sirius Black, isn't it?"

"I don't know," Lupin shrugged. "You'd better just go and find out for yourself."

I nodded. "I will. But I haven't done anything wrong."

"I know you haven't," he smiled. "Alyssa...are you sure you're all right?"

"I'm fine," I said, just like I'd told Elena. "A bit of gossip hasn't killed me yet. Neither has Black, so there's that."

"If you're sure..." He looked concerned, but then shook his head. "Go on to your next class now."

I nodded and left the classroom, tucking Professor Dumbledore's note into my bag as I went.

I made sure to close the bag completely this time.

"It's terrible, truly that such a thing has happened this year..."

I tuned Percy out as he led me to Dumbledore's office. I didn't see how Penelope put up with him. She claimed he really was a sweet person under all his pomposity, but I had yet to see any evidence. I'd tried to like him, for her sake, but I just couldn't. He was simply a hard person to like.

After what felt like ages, Percy stopped in front of a very ugly stone gargoyle.

"I'm to let you go up on your own," he said. "Just say the password, and the gargoyle will let you go by. Then you'll be able to go up. Can you get back to Ravenclaw Tower on your own?"

"I expect so," I nodded. "Thank you."

"My pleasure. Goodnight."

He strode off, his chest slightly puffed out so that the Head Boy badge was clearly visible. I held back a laugh. He should just get the words tattooed across his forehead. With a sigh, I turned back to the gargoyle.

"I'm going to take a wild guess and say that the password's Chocolate Cauldrons."

Apparently I was right, because the gargoyle moved aside as the wall behind him split into two. There was a spiral staircase behind it. It was moving slowly upward, like an escalator in a mall. Pride overcoming the foolishness I felt from talking to a statue, I stepped onto one of the stairs and the wall closed as I rose. The staircase went higher and higher in dizzying circles. I was relieved when a smooth oak door came into view. I stepped off of the staircase and knocked on the door gingerly.

"Come in!" a voice called, and the door swung open by itself.

My jaw dropped.

I'd never been in the headmaster's office before. It was a spacious and beautiful circular room. I could hear noises, which seemed to be coming from the assortment of strange instruments on spindle-legged tables. On the walls were portraits of old headmasters and headmistresses, all of them seemingly asleep. There were bookcases that were practically overflowing with ancient volumes. My heart skipped a beat just looking at them. Sitting behind the enormous claw-footed desk was Dumbledore himself.

Seeing him reminded me why I was here, although something about the man seemed to put me at ease immediately. He peered at me over his glasses, his light blue eyes twinkling at me. I took the chair across from him and waited.

"It seems you've had a rough week, Alyssa," he said after a moment.

"A bit," I admitted.

A musical cry from the other side of the room made me jump. On a golden perch by the door sat a bird with crimson feathers and a long golden tail. A phoenix.

"This is Fawkes," Dumbledore smiled. "One of my oldest and dearest friends."

"Oh," I sighed. "He's beautiful, sir."

Fawkes seemed to approve of the compliment, because he rose from the perch and landed on the arm of my chair. Dumbledore chuckled.

"Apparently, hippogriffs aren't the only creatures you're gifted with."

I felt my cheeks growing warm. "I wouldn't say I'm gifted with them, exactly."

"Do you plan to work with magical creatures, Alyssa?" he asked.

"I've never really thought about it," I shrugged, stroking Fawkes's back. "I'm not sure what I'm going to do after I leave school."

"Professor Flitwick believes that you're very talented," he smiled. "He tells me that you've invented several charms."

"Well, just a few," I nodded. "And mostly with the help of my friends."

"Speaking of your friends...have they been supportive of you, in light of recent events?"

I frowned. "You mean, do they think I'm off to join Sirius Black and You-Know-Who? I don't know. Most of my real friends think the idea's rubbish. But others..." I thought about Jenna, who wasn't speaking to me, and shook my head. "Well, they're not sure. Most of the students seem to have made up their minds, though."

"I see."

He put the tips of his long fingers together and fixed me with a penetrating stare. I sighed.

"For what it's worth, I'm not helping anyone break in. I don't want anyone dead, contrary to popular belief."

"I know you don't," Dumbledore said gently.

"You do?" I asked hopefully.

"I do. But I must ask, Alyssa, if you know or have guessed anything about Sirius Black. Anything at all."

I hesitated, but only for a moment. "Professor, my mother doesn't believe that Black's a Death Eater. She says it wasn't like him to betray his friends at all. And...I think she might be right. But he obviously wants something from Gryffindor Tower. I don't know if it's Harry, or something else. But there must be something he's after."

Dumbledore gave me a long look. I really wished people would stop doing that. It made me feel like I was being studied all the time.

"Thank you, Alyssa," he finally said. "You may go."

I nodded and stood, smiling as Fawkes stretched out a wing to brush against my arm. As I headed for the door, I caught sight of the bookcases again.

"Professor?" I found myself saying.

"Yes?"

"Could I...may I...Would you mind if I borrowed a book?" I asked.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he smiled.

"Of course, Alyssa. Any book you like. Please, feel free to borrow books whenever you like."

I was beaming as I grabbed a book completely at random, deciding to trust Dumbledore's taste in books. The title was in runes, so I would have to translate everything later, but I didn't mind.

"Thank you, sir," I smiled, opening the door. "Goodnight."