Author's Notes: See Chapter Fourteen ^_^.
******************************************************************************
~...~ = Parseltongue
/.../ = Telepathy between Harry & Carya (in italics)
' ... ' = thoughts
~*~*~ ... ~*~*~ = Flashback or changing POV
Chapter 16 - Rumours and Revelations or Draco's Birthday and Moody
Directly after breakfast Carya ran to the owlery to find Deimos. Once she found him she send the letter on it's way towards her godfather. He had to know some answers of the questions the children had. The girl used every short-cut she knew to get to Latin in time.
Professor McGrey was late so she could catch her breath before class began. Potions that Saturday was a bit different from the classes they normally had. Their Professor made them all work alone on a healing potion.
He later told them that it was one to help with the after-effects of the Cruciatus Curse. Severus watched the six friends closely during class but could not find any changes in their behaviour other than the fact that Carya Potter and Tom Riddle looked at each other more often than usual.
All students succeeded making the potion and after lunch during Survival he let them practise with their favourite weapons against magical dummies to see how well they could handle their chosen weapons in a fight.
He had spelled the weapons that they couldn't seriously harm the students wielding them though as he wasn't sure how good they really were. The weapon that got out of control would just shrink and lift into the air. Out of reach for anyone.
Severus did notice that the six friends sat as far away from the teachers table as possible now at every single meal if they turned up at all. After a thorough questioning in the kitchen he found out that all six were often coming down to the elves to eat.
He wasn't surprised after what he'd heard at the lake. The children had distrusted Moody for some time now and since the obvious betrayal of trust they were now wary of Dumbledore too. That Moody and Albus were friends didn't make it better either.
All these things added up and the distrust had grown immensely after the kids had some time to think. It was a dangerous mix for Slytherin's but there was hardly anything he could do. He could only wait and watch them or in the worst case hope that they'd go to someone for help.
~*~*~ Black Manor - Sunday Morning ~*~*~
Sirius sat at the breakfast table when a coal black raven fluttered into the room. It carried a letter in it's beak and let it drop into Sirius' lap. The raven then settled down next to the mans plate and started eating some of the bacon.
Sirius just shook his head at his goddaughter's raven and read the letter.
'Dear Sirius,
I have some questions I wanted to ask you. On February 23rd we had a Defence Test. Moody was testing our shields again. Everything went quite well for us. Ginny and Tom were knocked out, Hermione got hit with Jelly-Legs and Harry got hit with some jinxes that had to be undone later.
Draco got a bloody nose because he was careless. When it was my turn Moody toyed with me and I didn't bother to raise a shield because it wasn't necessary. Soon he got tired of playing games and started throwing stronger spells.
I was trying to find a way to take him out without attacking him because that were the rules. I finally got the idea to try and make my shield strong enough in the exact moment the spell hit it to make it bounce back instead of just dissipate.
When I succeeded I was surprised because Moody himself got hit by the curse that had bounced of my shield. Aren't Aurors supposed to be able to avoid this? Okay, he's retired and all but shouldn't he be able to do it nonetheless?
I'm only a fourth year, not a fully grown dark witch, right? Something's wrong here, Sirius. I knew it when I saw him the first time. I don't trust him. From what I've read and heard this man can't be Mister Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody. It's just impossible.
Draco and Harry say 'Hi'. I'm off to bed now.
Love,
Carya'
(P.S. Tell Moony I love him too.)
When he was finished he was thoroughly confused. Wouldn't Dumbledore notice if there was something wrong with Moody? He showed the letter to Remus and the other man said the same. But then again, Carya's feeling had never betrayed her before, had it?
She had disliked Quirrell and despised Lockhart. Both had proven to have been disastrous choices of Defence teachers in the end. She had trusted him and Moony from the start though. She was careful around Snape too. Shouldn't they take that into account as well?
He decided to answer her letter and suggest to talk with Dumbledore. That was the best he could do right now. But why hadn't the kids written about the Second Task? He desperately wanted to know what had happened because Skeeter wasn't writing anything anymore.
She had somehow disappeared and the rumours were just flaring up in and around London.
~*~*~ End Black Manor - Sunday Morning ~*~*~
On Monday morning Carya received Sirius reply. It was shorter than hoped but satisfying in the end.
'Dear Carya,
I must say I was surprised when I read your letter. How come you didn't say something earlier? Normally you aren't someone to keep it to yourself when you have questions like this one. You are right about the Aurors training though. We did have to learn how to deal with reflected curses from every direction.
Especially in a fight with more than one opponent. It is indeed curious that Moody was hit with his own spell after bouncing back from your shield. Even though he's getting older I was sure he still could fight if you considered the mess he'd been in the night before he started teaching at Hogwarts.
He had claimed someone was trying to attack him in his house and he hexed the trashcans on the street. It was quite some trouble. Arthur Weasley had to go and help him to fix it. Moody is really paranoid since his days as an Auror.
Moony thinks we are overreacting but you're right to watch your back even more now. I don't know if your assumptions are right but why won't you talk to Dumbledore about it? He's Moody's best friend. I'm sure he would know what's wrong.
I await your answer regarding the last question. Tell Harry good luck for the third task oh, and why didn't you tell me about the second one? I'd like to hear something since Skeeter isn't writing anything anymore to amuse me with.
Love you all,
Padfoot and Moony'
/Hrrmpf, 'ask Dumbledore'. The hell I will do that! Not in hundred years!/ Carya growled and Harry looked at her.
/What's wrong, sister? What about the old fool?/ Harry wanted to know.
Carya smiled at that description of their headmaster and calmed down a bit.
/Sirius is suggesting we ask the headmaster about Moody because he's his best friend. Ah, what am I telling you this, here, read yourself,/ she said and gave Harry the letter.
/I guess we'll have to tell him about the Second Task then? He won't like it when we tell him about Dumbledore and what we've decided,/ Harry replied after having read through the letter.
/Nope, he won't and Moony will react even more violent. He really likes the fool of a headmaster for letting him attend Hogwarts although he is a werewolf. But that's not the point. I trusted him and he threw my trust into the dirt,/ Carya stated and scowled darkly.
/Eh, Carya, I think we should tell the others what we're talking about. They are staring at us,/ Harry told her and she cocked an eyebrow at him like Snape would do sometimes.
/Your point being? Just give them the letter and they'll know enough until classes are over. We'll discuss everything then. And we have to make sure that Dumbledore keeps his nose where it belongs. He's watching us. I'm really angry at him right now,/ she replied annoyed.
Carya turned her gaze towards the head table and glared fiercely at the headmaster before returning her attention to her friends. Severus saw the little display too and looked back and forth between them.
~*~*~ Severus thought's about the situation ~*~*~
He had talked to Albus the night before but the old man wouldn't see his mistake. The man was simply infuriating sometimes. Didn't he see that he was pushing the children into the same direction he had pushed Tom Riddle fifty years ago?
It was a good thing that those six were close friends who shared both happiness and grief. This little fact might save their souls from falling for the darkness. Especially Tom and Carya who were darker than the others - in both power and character.
Why couldn't the rest of the professors see that too? Was it because he himself had fallen once? He also felt that something big and bad would happen before the year was over. The sense of dread he had in his stomach wouldn't lessen.
If anything it had only increased with every day passing. That was a remnant of his grand-mother's powers on his mother's side. She had been an Empath but heaven knows where her family got those powers. He certainly didn't know about it.
~*~*~ End Severus thought's about the situation ~*~*~
Ginny, Draco, Tom and Hermione had read the letter and were all staring at the twins. They didn't know what to say. But it was sure that they would have to discuss this later, probably after classes were over.
The lessons passed in a blur that day. Neither of the six remembered much of it. They thankfully had been attentive enough to write down the assignments before dropping into another state of serious thinking.
They met in their usual place around three that afternoon to finally talk about their worries.
"We have to tell them what really happened. Perhaps if Ginny, Tom, Hermione and I write our point of view too they'll believe us. I mean, six can't be wrong if they share the same memories right? It's not like we have been obliviated to believe this," said Draco once they had settled down.
"You have a point Draco. I think Sirius will believe us anyway but Moony is a different matter. He believes in Dumbledore because of his little problem. If it hadn't been for the old fool Remus would've never been able to attend Hogwarts in the first place," Carya replied.
"I know but it's worth a try. We know the truth and if one of them believes us then everything is okay. What about the two of you though? Any nightmares lately?" Draco inquired but the twins shook their heads.
"Not that type of nightmare Draco. Only the common one about Halloween, you know. It doesn't really scare me anymore. Perhaps we should get started on the letters and send them before dusk. The sooner we get them on the way, the sooner we get an answer," Harry told his brother and friends.
They all started on their recollection of events from the Defence class and the Second Task. It weren't pleasant memories especially for Tom and Carya but writing these down was quite helpful too.
The two children finally forgave each other and after sending their notes with the two ravens the couples made themselves comfortable until it was time for dinner.
"I guess we could stay here and ask Dobby to bring us something, right? He wouldn't betray our secrets. Or I could make dinner for us. It only would take a bit of time. I'm not used to cook with magic," Carya offered.
"Nah, I think you're right. Dobby won't tell. I think we can trust the little minx," Harry replied.
"Okay then," Carya answered and called for the elf, "Dobby?!"
"Miss Carya is wanting something? What can Dobby do for Miss Carya?" the elf asked once he had appeared in the room.
"We'd like to have dinner in here without anyone knowing, Dobby. Don't tell anyone, especially not the professors!" Harry said warningly and Dobby nodded.
"Of course, Mister Harry Potter, sir!" the elf squealed, happy that he could be of use for his favourite wizards and witches.
He disappeared with a crack and the kids waited. Hermione stared into space while Ginny looked at the glass jar on the table.
"Don't you think we should feed her? I mean even as a bug she has to eat something," the red-head remarked and her friends agreed.
A second later Dobby appeared and soon the table was set. They could have fed even twenty people with what the elf had brought but they didn't complain though.
"Thanks Dobby, see you later," said Hermione and Dobby vanished.
Hermione slipped some salad into the jar and they could see the bug turning its back on it.
"Well, if she doesn't want it we can't help her. She won't get anything else," the girl said with a frown and turned towards her own dinner.
Downstairs in the Great Hall some people were worrying about the six friends. They had disappeared that afternoon and hadn't resurfaced since then. Severus thought about the confession Carya had made under Veritaserum. Could they really have gone into the 'Chamber of Secrets' all those times?
It must be that because although she was reluctant to answer you just couldn't lie under the influence of the potion. It was impossible. Although she had been relieved when he had rephrased the question. Perhaps he had asked the wrong thing?
After dinner the children stayed in their secret meeting place. They intended to spend the night there too. Once the kids had stilled their hunger they had started discussing what they would do now. The letters to Sirius were already on their way thanks to the two ravens.
Just after ten six pretty tired teens went down the hall towards the bedrooms. There were six beds but only three would be used. The boys changed in the bedroom and the girls in the bathroom. It was a really good thing that clothing for every occasion went with the Founders Chambers.
The three couples took a bed each and fell asleep in each others arms. They barely woke up in time the next morning though and had to run towards their classrooms. But the kids fell asleep again once Professor Binns started his lecture.
The next two weeks passed without major occurrences. Most teachers had stopped worrying about the 'Slytherin Six' after a few days when the children didn't return to their dorm for the nights. Severus stayed worried though. Five of them were his students so it was natural to do that.
The twins were quite grumpy around the 9th of March because they still hadn't gotten an answer from their godparents. Everyone who was familiar with their temper wisely stayed out of their path. On March 13th they finally got their answer. The letter was long and thick.
They both reluctantly agreed on the kids suspicion about Moody but at least Remus refused to badmouth Dumbledore in any way. Just like they had expected. The werewolf was pretty sure that they only misunderstood the strange old headmaster but they knew they hadn't.
Moony had promised not to talk to anyone but Sirius about these things. Sirius promised the same and both, Moony and Padfoot, told the kids to be very careful and to watch their backs. In other words, they should keep going like they already did.
It had been a bit more than two weeks since the Daily Prophet wrote that Rita Skeeter hadn't returned to her office after being out looking for a title-story. The opinions on this whole ordeal were different though.
Those who believed the woman thought that the 'Dark and Evil Potter-twins' were behind her mysterious absence but the majority of people who already knew that she was nothing but a rubbish-reporter just laughed at that assumption.
Although they had been wary about Harry and Carya they didn't believe that two fourteen year old children could take a fully grown witch as a hostage. It just seemed impossible. Only those who knew the twins did think they would be powerful enough.
But no one thought they'd actually do it. They didn't know how wrong they were because it wasn't just the twins. Everyone dealing with them would have to deal with their four best friends as well and six fourteen year olds with enough knowledge certainly could take out one average witch.
The rumours didn't last very long though since there was no reaction at all from the twins themselves or those around them. Their guardians and friends ignored the papers and soon no one talked about Rita Skeeter anymore. Life was after all although a bit more boring definitely better.
During these two weeks the children had also separated themselves from the rest of the school. They rarely had contact with anyone. Only Terence Higgs and Cat Williams were occasionally seen with them at the Hogwarts library or in the Great Hall at meals.
On a few of those days it seemed that Harry and Carya were more tired than usual. They looked unwell and seemed very stiff, especially if they had to move quickly. Severus Snape was one of the very few who noticed the slightly pained grimaces the twins wore at sudden movements on days like that.
He wondered why that was but couldn't imagine anything. He knew something was wrong but was unable to figure it out. Meanwhile Carya and Tom were making progress with their little Potions Project. They had succeeded in combining the invisibility potion with the silencing potion into one.
The two also had found one that would mask the scent but had yet to find a way to combine all three. They were confident on their eventual success though. The pains which the twins sometimes had to endure were the result of some ugly nightmares about Voldemort and Wormtail.
The Dark Lord seemed unusually upset about his snivelling little rat-servant which resulted in torturing him with the Cruciatus Curse quite often. It also seemed as if someone from inside of Hogwarts kept the Dark Lord updated on 'the Potter-twins and the traitorous Malfoy boy'.
Thankfully he hadn't taken notice of Tom's existence yet. With Rita Skeeter out of the way it was much easier to keep something like that quiet for a long time. Their secret was safe for now but it was only a matter of time until Voldemort would find out about them.
Ron Weasley and Lavender Brown were slowly accepted back into their own house now too. Ron had become a lot quieter since his return and his girlfriend was always with him. It really seemed that he was determined to pass the exams in summer because he spent every free minute in the library.
The six friends were in constant contact with Padfoot and Moony now and kept those two updated on everything that was happening in the castle. They too were the only ones to know about the twins visions and the fact that Voldemort seemed to get stronger and was indeed alive in a way.
Carya and Tom had finally forgiven each other completely and were even closer now than they had been before the second task. Neither would let the other out of sight for long now. The Potions Master who had been worried about the path the friends would take had relaxed somewhat too.
Since he had witnessed a couple of incidents down at the lake it was clear that there was still much space between the fall into the Dark Arts and these children. They had been outside and obviously thought no one would see them. Once they felt unobserved the kids dropped their masks.
They were laughing and playing around like every other normal fourteen year old would do. The mischievous looks on their faces reminded him of his own time at Hogwarts. Their heartfelt and honest laughter eased some of Snape's worries but not nearly all in regard of the 'Slytherin Six'.
There was still the mysterious problem they seemed to have with Alastor Moody and they also kept disappearing with no chance for any teacher to find them. Not even the headmaster was able to and that meant they knew more about Hogwarts than the professors did.
The only thing Dumbledore could assure them of was that the friends never left the grounds but stayed somewhere inside the castle. Although the headmaster hadn't said anything during the staff meetings he was worried about the six.
He still hadn't understood that the distrust they now harboured for him was his own fault but that didn't stop him from being worried. The friends kept disappearing for whole weekends and were hardly seen by anyone during the week.
All guests and the rest of the student body had noticed that too. Around the 15th of March the strange mood at Hogwarts had been noticed by everyone. Most blamed it on the upcoming third task of the tournament but something felt off these days.
The house rivalries were back full force and more noticeable than ever. The Gryffindors supported Cedric Diggory while most Ravenclaws stood behind Harry. But there were still some exceptions. Cho Chang naturally was on Cedric's side since he was her boyfriend.
The Ravenclaw Quidditch team stood beside Cedric as well. Fred and George Weasley and their closest friends were supporting the Potter boy. It was a difficult time for any inter-house couple though.
They were nearly shunned by their houses. Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape saw this as the perfect opportunity to turn one of the headmasters older ideas into reality. A fifth table was placed in the Great Hall.
A table where everyone was welcome to sit. Most couples and friends of those took the chance in an instant. Frequent occupants of the 'Friendship-Table' as Ginny had dubbed it were Neville and his girlfriend Blaise, Cho and Cedric, Harry and Hermione, Terence and Cat.
But others sat there too. Ginny and Draco, Carya and Tom, even the Weasley twins often joined them and were on the receiving end of various pranks if they dared to tease the couples. They didn't mind though.
Fred and George still tried to get Carya into allowing them to interrogate Sirius about the Marauders pranks but she always refused. As bad and ugly the potions incident between Ron and Carya from last November had been, it had left a lasting impression on the rest of the students.
By now everyone knew in detail what had happened that day. All students now paid very much attention to their cauldrons while in practical class. Even those who seriously dislike either the subject or the teacher did that.
There hadn't been any major accidents during potions since the new year and Severus Snape was quite pleased that he didn't have as many exploding cauldrons in his class as he used to have. Only a few days were left now until March 21st - Draco's birthday.
The friends were already planning what to do then. Carya had decided to bake a cake for Draco like she had done for the others as well. Presents had been chosen over a week ago. Harry and Hermione would give the boy a book on Ancient Runes, one of his favourite subjects.
Carya and Tom were torn between books on Quidditch, something about pranks or clothing and sweets. In the end they bought some chocolate frogs, loads of muggle candy sent to them by Aunt Petunia and practical joke items from Zonko's as well as the Weasley twins.
It was very obvious that Fred and George would make their dream of their own Joke-Shop come true in the future. It finally was Draco's birthday and when he woke up he noticed that Harry and Tom were already gone.
The boys and the girls were waiting for Draco in the Common Room grinning like mad and singing 'Happy Birthday' for him. The blonde was quite embarrassed by that just as the others had intended.
His embarrassment quickly vanished though when Ginny kissed him and wished him a happy birthday herself. They took Carya's self-made cake with them to the Great Hall as they'd always done.
Although everyone knew about those cakes by now they were still awed that a witch could make something like this without magic. And a Slytherin witch at that. They weren't meant to be the housework loving type like the Hufflepuff's were.
Slytherin's were always thought of as arrogant spoiled purebloods who had a great affinity to the Dark Arts. This girl screwed their views about them a big deal. But then again, most people thought that she was only a Halfblood anyway.
The kids unfortunately had classes on Draco's birthday because it fell on a Tuesday this year. History of Magic was even more boring than ever. Arithmancy was okay and Magical Theory had been acceptable. The six friends spent their whole afternoon outside at the lake for a change.
It was quite warm for the first day of spring and they enjoyed spending time away from dusty books and such. The rest of the week passed and on the weekend the 'Slytherin Six' once again vanished and couldn't be found until breakfast on Monday, March 27th.
Once classes were over and the sun was setting the champions were asked to meet outside the main entrance. Ludo Bagman was waiting there for them. Barty Crouch who had been supposed to be there as well had not come. Rumours said he was seriously ill but no one wanted to confirm it.
Percy who had been Crouch's right hand over the last weeks wouldn't tell anything and the ministry refused to make a statement. He surprisingly led them towards the Quidditch pitch which confused Harry and Cedric a big deal.
The others didn't really know where they were heading so it seemed okay to them. Harry and Cedric looked at each other briefly with raised eyebrows.
Once they arrived the two Hogwarts-boys noticed the low hedges that grew all over the place and they gaped in horror when they realised what had been done to their pitch - the holy ground of Hogwarts Quidditch teams.
"What the hell have you done to this place?" Cedric gasped in shock.
Fleur just commented dryly on it, "Theze ar' 'edges! What iz the meaning of thiz, Monsieur Bagman?"
Harry looked around now and tried to see the reason behind this all. He noticed that there was a pattern to the hedges but didn't know the reason yet. When he looked up at Viktor Krum he saw that the other boy didn't have a clue about this either.
"Aren't they lovely? In a few weeks they'll have grown enough for the third and last task of the Triwizard Tournament," Bagman answered Fleur's question.
"Grown enough? Vhat do you Mean?" asked Vladimir confused.
Bagman only continued his stupid grinning. Harry looked at Cedric who was now looking around the pitch like he had already done earlier. The placement of the plants was very unusual and Harry suddenly understood.
He gasped and that caused the others to stare at him in confusion and curiosity.
"Shit, this will be a maze, right? We'll have to get through a bloody maze for the Third Task!" he stated frowning.
"What? 'ow difficult could a simple maze be? Thiz iz the third task of the tournament? I 'ad thought we would get something a bit more challenging, sir. 'onestly, Monsieur Bagman, don't you think thiz iz too eazy?" Armand inquired.
"Oh, I can assure you that the maze will be everything but easy. You will all have to face various kinds of magic, plants and animals in here by then. This is certainly more of a challenge as one might think.
The professors Hagrid and Sprout have been quite helpful in finding the right ... obstacles for this task," Bagman said and told them about the rest of the rules, "You'll start in the same order the ranks are right now. Mister Potter will go first while Mister Diggory will be the second one.
After him there will be Mister Krum and then Miss Delacour. The second last will be Mister Kravec and the last to go is Mister Solet. You will start in three minute intervals. The first of you to reach the Cup in the centre of the maze wins this Tournament."
After Bagman's speech the champions went back towards their respective residences. Harry and Cedric walked towards the castle alongside each other. They both knew that this wouldn't be easy. Professor Sprout did know some quite dangerous plants like Harry's first year and the Devil's Snare had proven.
And Hagrid? Well he was another matter. The half-giant had a liking for beasts who others thought of as very dangerous. Harry was thinking about what type Hagrid could send against them when Cedric started talking to him.
"So Potter, it seems as if we get a last chance at competing against each other, right?" the Hufflepuff said casually and Harry nodded absently.
"Seems so. I wonder what they are putting into that maze. Hagrid's bound to find something dangerous. I do hope there aren't any of those Blast-Ended-Skrewts left. They were really horrible and by now they'd possibly be around two meters or more in length," Harry replied still deeply in thought.
The boys ways parted just inside the entrance hall of Hogwarts. Cedric went back towards his Common Room while Harry sought out his friends.
/Hey sister, where are you guys?/ he sent towards her.
/We are in 'our' chambers, oh dear beloved brother mine!/ she replied in his head sounding oddly cheerful.
/No need to get sarcastic you know? I merely wanted to know where the hell you are!/ Harry snapped angrier than he was.
/And I merely answered your question, oh Harry, almighty Champion of Slytherin Dungeon and Hogwarts,/ she replied not a bit upset about his choice of tone and words.
Harry didn't comment on that last part out of confusion about her mood. He quickly walked through the nearly empty hallways and soon joined his friends in their favourite spot - the Founder's Library.
Ginny and Draco were cuddling on the couch while Hermione was reading a book about History of Magic. Carya and Tom were sitting next to each other with a cauldron and plenty books in front of them.
They were once again brooding about their Potions Project. Harry could now see that his twin was grinning and smirking like mad the whole time as did Tom.
"What's up with them?" he asked his own girlfriend.
"Oh right, you couldn't know. They found a substitute ingredient with the same properties needed for the last potion. The one she was looking for, you remember? It was the one she needed to make sure that both potions could be taken successfully without turning into poison or cancelling each other out.
As you can clearly see, Tom's behaving just the same as Carya. They've been doing this for more than half an hour now. They're definitely mental those two, totally nuts!" Hermione stated sneaking glances at Carya and Tom every now and then.
Harry just smiled and shook his head, 'So that's the reason for her overly cheerful and sarcastic mood.'
He then told his friends and siblings about the third task and what they'd have to do. The chance of researching offensive and defensive magic was very appealing to all of them though. Not that they didn't know much of that already but you could always find some more powerful spells if you looked hard enough.
This would be the perfect chance to find and learn them. Especially with someone like Carya and Tom in their team. She had enough understanding of the ways of magic as well as Magical Theory to alter or adapt many charms to her needs and liking.
Normally she shouldn't have been able to do that because experimental magic was not only dangerous but incredibly draining for the wizard attempting it. It also could go horribly wrong. But Carya was blessed with a natural talent for the flow and behaviour of magic.
She knew by now if a spell would work or not when she attempted casting it. The whole Monday evening was spent in their library on research. Even Tom and Carya's potion was momentarily forgotten. The six friends were researching and discussing many spells Harry could possibly use in the third task.
The days were now spent either in classes or the six friends various research locations. That meant they were staying mostly in the library or the founders chambers if they didn't have any lessons to attend.
Meals were mostly skipped and people didn't see much of the three couples outside of classes. Even at night the six always stayed in the Founders Chambers. The teachers had long stopped to reprimand them for being out of bed at night and not sleeping in their dorms.
They couldn't find the kids anywhere but the headmaster reassured them that not one of the children did leave the grounds by any means. If they miraculously attend meals in the Great Hall they were watched closely by every teacher.
The Professors we unable to find any change in behaviour in them at all. The six stuck together and hardly spent a minute apart from their friends. When Hermione didn't have classes with Slytherin she was close to Cat Williams - one of the very few other students the friends had any contact with nowadays.
******************************************************************************
R&R,
Carya
2009-07-24