Chapter 23 – Suspect No. 1

Once James and the others had gotten over the shock of finding the message sprawled all over the castle's doors, they rushed inside to alert the teachers.

Professor Creevey was the first teacher they found and he soon raised the alarm and it wasn't long before a crowd of teachers was stood outside, looking at the door in horror.

"Who found it?" Professor McGonagall asked as she arrived.

"It was these three," Professor Creevy said, pointing to James, Noah and Neville who were stood with the teachers.

"I should have known you'd be here Potter," McGonagall said with a roll of her eyes. "Can any of you shed any light on who did this? Did you see anything?"

They all shook their heads.

"No we didn't see anything, we just found it here," James said, speaking for all of them.

"And what were you doing out of the castle at this time of the evening?" McGonagall asked.

"Just getting some fresh air," James replied whilst behind him Neville was looking at the ground feeling guilty.

"Well I think you've had enough fresh air for tonight. Elsa will you please see them back to their common room so they don't get into any more trouble. And boys please keep this to yourself for now. I don't want any panic," McGonagall said and Professor Sinclair was soon ushering the three of them back into the castle.

Just before the doors closed behind them James heard the teachers talking.

"What will we do now?" one of the teachers said.

"Will the school have to close?" Professor Creevey asked as the door slammed shut and James heard no more.

The following morning after breakfast, McGonagall had called yet another assembly and she looked even more stern than she had ever done before as she addressed the students.

"There has been yet another incident of graffiti within the school. I will reiterate what I said before. Whoever is behind this WILL be caught and they WILL be expelled. I am now imposing a curfew on all students. After dinner students are to go straight to their dormitories and no one is allowed back out after nine o'clock. Anyone caught out of their dormitory after this time will be punished. And during free periods and breaks, students are only permitted to be either in their own dorms, the Great Hall, the library or outside in designated areas where teachers will be supervising. Anyone found to be somewhere they shouldn't will be punished. Do I make myself clear?"

There were a lot of groans from the students but the headmistress' message was clear.

"I wonder what was written this time?" Zander asked at the Gryffindor table as students started to get up and leave for their lessons, but James, Noah and Neville remained quiet.

It wasn't long before Godwin arrived at Hogwarts again. After examining the graffiti herself (students had been banned from going outside to prevent them from seeing it until Godwin had inspected it and then it could be cleaned off) she spoke to those who had seen it, namely James, Noah and Neville.

"Hello Mr Potter," Godwin said as James arrived at the empty classroom that the Auror was using to conduct her investigation. "Please take a seat."

James took a seat on the opposite side of the desk to where Godwin was sat, trying his best to not look nervous.

"And how are we today?" Godwin asked.

"I'm fine," James replied even though he wasn't, he'd barely slept at all last night, too busy lying awake worrying about what the message meant.

"Must have been quite a shock last night seeing that scrawled on the doors? Though by now you must be used to it. You found the graffiti on the Great Hall doors too?"

James knew full well that Godwin knew he had so he wondered why she was presenting it as a question but he answered never the less. "Yes."

"Did you see anyone else around last night?"

"Just Burns but he was down by the greenhouses," James replied.

"Oh really?" she said sounding a bit surprised. "And what were you doing at the greenhouses?"

"We went to find Neville. I think he's getting some of his old memories back so he had an urge to go down there. Me and Noah went to get him back to make sure he was OK," James replied.

"That was very good of you," Godwin said, and James didn't know if her response was genuine or it there was a hint of sarcasm to it because she suspected he had actually been up to no good. "Is there anything else you'd like to tell me?" Godwin said in a probing manner.

"Like what?" James said back defensively and was immediately worried his tone had made it sound like he had something to hide.

"You didn't see anyone else last night? When you were out and about coming to the aid of your friend you were so worried about?" she said in an almost mocking tone.

"No," James said back.

"Very well that is all… for now. Goodbye Mr Potter."

James left the room and breathed a sigh of relief as he headed back to his common room and waited to hear how Noah and Neville had gotten on after it was their turn to be interrogated by the Auror.

"That was awful," Neville said, after he returned and catching James and Noah in private after all three of them had now spoken to Godwin. "I was so scared."

The boys had decided it best not to let anyone besides the teachers know they were the ones who had found the latest graffiti. They would only be asked a million times what it had said and they felt Professor McGonagall wouldn't appreciate them talking about it further and adding fuel to the fire of rumours that were already doing the rounds around the school.

"What was there to be scared of? We had nothing to do with it," Noah said, though if truth be told he had felt rather intimidated when speaking to Godwin himself.

"Well what if I said the wrong thing? She might have thought I was involved," Neville said, still looking rather nervous. "Plus we weren't meant to be outside the castle that time of night."

Despite having the most to hide James had felt less scared than his friends when talking to Godwin, probably because he had now talked to her multiple times, a fact that hadn't gone unnoticed by the Auror and James was wondering if she did suspect he was somehow involved.

The three of them decided to put the incident behind them and not talk about it anymore, though this was more for Neville's benefit as James and Noah would no doubt discuss it in private, trying to figure out what it all meant and who had been behind it.

And this time Godwin didn't seem to remain on the school premises. After speaking with the three of them she had left to return to the Ministry to file her report, having no further information or leads that could lead to the culprit at this stage.

As the days and weeks passed with no more incidents of graffiti or anything else unusual around Hogwarts, James got back to enjoying school life. Well as much as he could though some lessons where a chore, namely Professor Binns' boring History lessons, Professor Van Bloom's equally tedious Herbology classes and Professor Payne's Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons, where James seemed to be regularly losing his house points.

Though one good thing was that Neville seemed to be remembering more and more and Madam Pomfrey was confident his full memory would come back any day now. Professor McGonagall also thought it wise to explain to Neville just exactly what had happened to him as he was only becoming confused by the stuff he was remembering. So he had now been told that he was actually in his thirties and was a teacher at Hogwarts and not an eleven year old student. At first he had been freaked out by the whole thing, but after McGonagall had explained things further (and Madam Pomfrey had given him a Calming potion) he became more receptive to the truth. But until he regained his full memory the headmistress thought it best he continue on as a student.

And as much as James tried, the mysterious cloaked figure was still on his mind.

"I've been thinking," James said as he and Noah sat alone in their dormitory.

"That never ends well," Noah joked but James ignored the comment.

"Whoever has been doing all this stuff must be a pretty skilled witch or wizard right?"

"Yeah. So?" Noah replied, not sounding too interested.

"So it's not likely to be a student. And it needs to be someone who has access to the school so it's unlikely to be an outsider. Therefore it's most probably a teacher or a member of staff."

"You think a teacher might be behind all this?" a surprised Noah asked.

"I'm not sure but it has to be someone in the school," James replied.

"Ok but who?"

"Let's make a list of all the staff and then see who is the most likely suspect," James suggested.

"Well it's better than nothing, plus at least writing a list won't put us in any danger," Noah joked and James reached for a piece of parchment and began to write.

After nearly an hour and various discussions about each individual's potential for being a maniac and a supporter of Voldemort, their list was complete -

Professor McGonagall - Thought against Voldemort – definitely not

Professor Sinclair (Transfiguration) - Thought against Voldemort as a student – UNLIKELY

Professor Payne (DADA) – Big fan of Slytherin. Maybe supported Voldemort? – VERY LIKELY

Professor Flitwick (Charms) – Too small to be the cloaked figure – definitely not

Professor Slughorn (Potions) – Fought against Voldemort but did tell him (unintentionally?) how to cheat death – UNLIKELY

Professor Sinistra (Astronomy) - Thought against Voldemort – UNLIKELY

Professor Binns (History) – He's a ghost and too boring to do anything this interesting – definitely not

Professor Longbottom (Herbology) - Fought against Voldemort, now thinks he's eleven years old – definitely not

Hagrid (Magical Creatures) – Too big to be cloaked figure – definitely not

Madam Hooch (Flying) - Fought against Voldemort – UNLIKELY

Professor Van Bloom (Herbology) – Arrived after first incidents – definitely not

Professor Creevey (Muggle studies) – Brother killed by Voldemort – definitely not

Professor Pebblemore (Ancient Runes) – Don't know her well – COULD BE

Professor Vector (Arithmancy) – Don't know her well but fought against Voldemort – UNLIKELY

Professor Trelawney (Divination) – Don't know her well but fought against Voldemort – UNLIKELY

Burns (Gamekeeper) – Seems nice enough but Hagrid doesn't trust him – UNLIKELY

Filch – No magic abilities – definitely not

Madam Pomfrey (Nurse) – Seems too nice and fought against Voldemort – UNLIKELY

Madam Pince (Librarian) – Don't know her well but fought against Voldemort – UNLIKELY

"So according to this the most likely suspects are either Professor Payne or Professor Pebblemore," Noah said, scanning through the list one more time. "Well that settles it. It's Payne. I mean it's pretty obvious when you think about it. Let's go talk to McGonagall."

"And say what? We don't actually have any proof. And it might not be him," James said.

"But the guy has evil written all over him. Plus he hates you," Noah noted.

"He hates anyone who's not a Slytherin and we can't just go accusing him. He'd only deny it," James said looking at the list again.

"Well I can't see it being Professor Pebblemore," Noah said, noticing some doubt in James. "She's a sweet old lady and the head of Hufflepuff. I don't think anyone from Hufflepuff could be a deranged psychopath."

James had to admit that Payne seemed like the most likely candidate. But how could he prove it? One thing was for sure, from now on he was going to be keeping a close eye on Professor Payne.

"Let me get this straight you're just going to ask him?" Noah said, seemingly a little confused by James' plan to find out if Professor Payne was behind his visions and dreams.

James and Noah had found a quiet corridor to nip down before their Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson so James could explain his idea. He simply wanted to bring up the subject whether it was possible to influence someone's dream or make them see specific visions to see how Payne would react. The hope being that if Payne was behind them he would realise James was on to him and do something that would give himself away. Noah didn't think it was much of a plan. In fact he thought it was a terrible plan that was bound to fail. If Professor Payne was behind it he'd be too clever to fall for James' trap.

"That's not a very good plan. I don't think it's going to work," Noah noted but knew he probably wouldn't be able to talk his friend out of it.

"Well if it doesn't work it doesn't work. There will be no harm done," James said, thinking his plan was better than Noah was giving him credit for.

"He might give you a detention," Noah quipped.

"I think a detention is a small price to pay," James replied. "We need to somehow get proof that Professor Payne is behind my visions."

"What visions?" a voice asked.

James turned around startled and taken aback as he saw Polly standing there with her arms crossed and a stern look on her face.

"I said what visions?" Polly asked again.

"Do you ever stop listening in to people's private conversations?" James snapped back defensively.

"Stop avoiding my question," Polly retorted.

"I don't know what you're talking about," James said trying to look as innocent as possible but he could feel his face going red.

"I just heard you and Noah talking. You said 'we need to get proof that Professor Payne is behind my visions'. So I ask again. What visions?" Polly said unwaveringly.

"I didn't say 'visions' I said 'revision'. You must have misheard me," James said trying to think quickly.

"No I didn't mishear you and I mean that wouldn't even make sense anyway. Tell me the truth now or I'm going straight to McGonagall," Polly demanded.

"You can't do that," James fumed, annoyed at Polly for once again sticking her nose in where it wasn't wanted.

"Watch me," Polly said and turned to leave.

"Ok wait," James said and Polly turned back to face him with a pleased look on her face. "Since I found that wand in my trunk I've been having some strange visions," James explained, thinking over in his head how much to actually tell her.

"Of what?" Polly asked.

"I've been seeing my dad around the school, but as a student when he was younger and I've also been seeing a snake," James said, omitting the rest of the visions that ended up somewhat coming true like seeing a statue attacking the day before Polly was attacked by one.

"A snake?," Polly questioned, seeming a bit puzzled. "And what's this got to do with Professor Payne?"

"I think he might be behind it," James noted, not sure if Polly was believing what he was saying.

"He's the most likely suspect. We compiled a list," Noah added, trying to help his friend convince Polly.

"So just go to McGonagall and tell her," Polly said, not understanding why the boys were dealing with it on their own.

"But we don't have any proof. He'd only deny it," James stated and really wished it had been anyone but Polly that had overheard them as she would only complicate things.

"So how are you going to get proof then?" Polly asked, thinking the whole thing sounded a little fantastical.

"We're going to ask him," James said boldly with no hint of sarcasm despite the plan sounding at tad too simple.

"That's a rubbish plan," Polly quipped back.

"I'd just like to add I told James it was a rubbish plan too," Noah added, noticing Polly looking at them both like they were idiots.

"I mean I'm not going to ask him outright. I'm just going to bring the topic up about if it's possible to make someone see something that's not there and influence their dreams and see how he reacts," James said, trying to explain things.

"That's still a rubbish plan," Polly replied with her usual 'I know best' attitude.

"And I still agree," Noah added once again.

"Look it doesn't involve you so what are you worried about? All I ask is you don't tell McGonagall," James pleaded to Polly.

"Fine I won't tell her. I mean you're probably having visions because you're not right in the head. I've always had my suspicions about you," Polly said and James knew she was trying to wind him up but he didn't bite.

"Thanks," James replied sarcastically.

"But I still don't think you'll get Payne to incriminate himself. If it is him who's behind it he'll see right through your plan as soon as you start asking. What you need is someone else to ask him," Polly suggested feeling smug.

James turned to Noah.

"Don't look at me. I think this plan is a bad idea," Noah fumed back, not really wanting any part of it.

"No not him. Someone he expects to ask probing questions in the class," Polly stated.

"What you?" James said in surprise.

"Yes," replied Polly.

"And why would you do that for me?" James asked, genuinely perplexed.

"Can't I want to help out a fellow student in need?" Polly said in a condescending tone that she was very much an expert in.

"No," James snapped back. "So what do you really want?"

"I want you to quit the Slug Club," Polly stated, looking pleased with herself.

"Why?" James asked.

"Because you don't deserve to be there," Polly answered. "You're only there because of your father and the whole evening is always about you. Without you there some of the rest of us will get a look in."

"So if I quit you'll help and you won't say anything to McGonagall?" James said, clarifying the proposal.

"Yes," said Polly.

"Fine I'll quit. I hate going and wanted to leave anyway," James said and now he was the one looking smug.

"Hey that's not fair," Polly fumed.

"A deal's a deal," James gloated, having got one up on Polly.

The three of them made their way to class and Polly took her usual seat at the very front. Usually James liked to sit as far back as possible but instead he and Noah took the seats behind Polly, just in case they needed to give her a nudge if her questioning wasn't going well.

Despite most of the pressure being on Polly, James was feeling extremely nervous as Professor Payne emerged from his office and headed down the steps to his desk.

"Today we will be continuing with dark hexes. Please turn to chapter eight in Dark Magic Most Dangerous," Professor Payne said in his monotone manner as the lesson began.

As Professor Payne explained various dark hexes including the Stinging, Hurling and Horn Tongued hexes, James was beginning to worry as the lesson was nearing an end and Polly still hadn't asked anything about the possibility of using magic to influence someone's visions. James was beginning to think he should have known he couldn't trust Polly and would have to ask himself when suddenly Polly's hand went up.

"Yes Miss Green?" Payne said unenthusiastically, expecting another one of Polly's annoying questions that wasn't really a question but just a way for her to show off that she knew more than the rest of the class as he stood at the front of the room.

"Professor are there any hexes or curses that can be used on someone to make them see something?" Polly asked, sounding very calm and collected and James was impressed because he was as nervous as anything and he hadn't had to say a thing.

"To see what sort of thing exactly?" Payne replied, seeming just as calm and composed as Polly was as James watched him intently for any signs of guilt.

"Well I mean anything. Say for example could you make someone see a loved one who wasn't there? Or even a loved one when they were younger?" Polly said.

Professor Payne thought for a second as he moved towards Polly's desk and suddenly James could sense Polly had got a bit tense as the professor approached.

"Why do you ask?" Payne said as he looked down at Polly.

"Just curious," Polly replied, sounding a lot meeker now.

"Very well," Payne said, not sounding entirely convinced but still showing no sign that he found the conversation in anyway uncomfortable. "There are such curses but they are very advanced for first years. You may cover them in some of your final years if you continue with this class."

Polly was now very quiet and was looking down at her desk, no longer making eye contact with the professor and James knew she wasn't going to ask any more but so far Professor Payne hadn't done anything to give himself away.

"What about influencing someone's dream?" Noah butted in to James' surprise.

"My, my. What enthusiasm you Gryffindor's have for the Dark Arts today. Should I be worried? Are you planning on interfering with your fellow student's minds?" Payne said in a mocking manner and Noah instantly regretted asking the question as now the professor moved towards his desk. But as he did he gave James a quick glance as if to question whether he was involved in this probing too.

Payne then turned to Noah and said nothing for a few seconds, thinking before he spoke. "That too is possible for a very skilled witch or wizard but will not be something any of you could master in your time at Hogwarts. So lets get back to the topic in hand. Begin reading chapter nine in your books," the professor said, dismissing the subject.

James felt disappointed. Professor Payne had remained relatively calm through the whole thing and hadn't seemed remotely bothered by the topic being brought up. He was either one cool headed person and very well skilled at hiding his emotions or he had nothing to do with what James had been going through. But James still believed the professor had to be guilty. Otherwise who else could it be?