The letters on the paper warped, words losing their meaning once again, scrambled into muddled sentences of nothingness. Arah rubbed her eyes, letting out a huff of frustration as she restarted the paragraph for the tenth time, her consciousness fighting for attention, the inner voice droning out any words she desperately tried to read.
Godrick help her, it would take her a near century to finish all this paperwork at the pace she was going. Her mind was restless. Every flittering movement wrought her attention as she peered up with such schoolish eagerness, heart skipping, hoping to see Callum striding toward her- but it always ended up in disappointment.
It had been a week since that night in his office. She'd hardly seen him since, and in the few times she did, he'd barely offered her a glance. Flump had him running a mission in the Forbidden Forest. Something about hunting down an enchanted Flying Car wreaking havoc throughout the forest.
Arah was left behind, instructed to catch up on all the desk duty she'd put off. Her legs bounced impatiently, twisting the silver bangle on her arm, the very one Barnaby had given her. She'd wrung it so often the past week, her wrist were becoming chaffed.
"Yo!" Vega swiveled around in their chair, straddling the back as if they were mounting an Abraxan.
"Yo?" Arah questioned, utterly confounded. More times than not, she'd find herself completely curfuffled from any interactions involving Vega.
"Yooo!" Vega grinned enthusiastically, leaning their arms on Arah's desk, very much intruding her personal space. "Thats what the muggles say in America, by the way. It's a type of greeting."
Arah nodded slowly, forcing her lips into a flat smile. "Riiight." her voice drawled, unsure of what else to say. She turned her attention back to her desk work, hoping Vega would catch a hint.
Of course they didn't.
"Any luck on finding out more on that amulet of yours?" They questioned, fidgeting with the quill holder on Arah's desk, always having something to do with their hands.
"No, unfortunately I haven't." Arah forced a cheery tone, trying to mask the prickle of annoyance as she took the quill holder back and returned it to the rightful place on her desk.
"Hmm." They pondered, picking up Arah's ink bottle and giving it a sniff. Their face twisted in disgust, before diving their nose back in and sniffing again.
Arah observed them, perplexed as always.
"You don't happen to know anything, do you?"
"Me?"
Arah looked around, exasperated. "Who else would I be talking to?"
"Nah, I don't have a clue." Vega stated, setting the ink back. "Was just curious is all..."
Arah let out a snort, almost entertained by their antics. Almost. "You know... my brother actually thinks my Dad might have come back from his watery grave and left it for me as a present."
"You really think so?"
Arah blinked, studying, Vega's expression... they have never looked more serious.
"No, I don't think so!" Arah shot back, "He's gone. I saw it happen with my own eyes."
Vega shrugged, turning back around to face their own desk (finally). "You never know. There are stranger things that have happened in the Wizarding World."
Arah grumbled, making a face behind their back as she silently mocked them. The last thing she needed was Vega egging on her brother's delusions.
"Annon."
Arah jumped at the sound, her stomach flipping like mad. That familiar husky voice like music to her ears.
"Callum," Arah perked up, trying to keep her smile in check. "Hey, I - "
"You've had all week to catch up on paperwork and you're still behind?" He cut her off, his voice clipped and sharp. "I need it on Flump's desk by end of day."
Arah blinked, "B-but-"
"Get it done." Callum thrummed his finger on her desk, speaking to her as if she were still his trainee. "Please." he forced, before striding away.
It was as if Arah were hit with a full body- binding curse. She sat there frozen with shock as Callum sauntered over to the elevator casually.
It was as if nothing ever happened between them.
Vega whistled. "Jeesh, Callum is really taking the piss. He seems right miffed."
Arah's eyes narrowed, watching him wait on the elevator. "Yeah..."
Did every person Arah snog end up regretting it? Was there something wrong with her? She wrung the bracelet around her wrist, feeling her cheeks grow hot.
No, Callum didn't get to treat her like this. She wouldn't accept it. It was time she took matters in her own hands and be the bigger person.
The flush of embarrassment turned to anger as she stood, chair scraping loudly against the wooden stormed across the office, stomping toward Callum just as he was stepping into the elevator.
"HEY!" Arah barked, his eyes growing wide as she jumped into the elevator, the doors nearly closing on her. With a final ding, they were suddenly very much alone.
The elevator gave a lurch as Arah gripped the bronze handle hanging above them. "What the hell was that about?" Arah spat.
"What?" He asked innocently, acting as if he hadn't just acted like a total asshat to her.
"Drop the act." She fumed, "You've been avoiding me all week, you've barely even looked at me, and then when I finally see you, you go and act like a right prick."
"Look, I'm sorry, okay?"
"Do you regret it?" The words caught in her throat, apprehensive to hear the truth.
"Do I regret it?" Callum looked at her with unbelief, running a hand through his hair nervously, "Arah, I can't even be in the same room as you without getting such a massive hard-on I can't even fucking walk straight."
Oh. Arah blinked, her cheeks going crimson.
"So nay, I don't regret it. Not one bit actually." He gave a nervous laugh, "In fact, it's all I can bloody think about, but I'm trying not to lose my job, and yours for that matter."
The elevator halted, doors swinging open to reveal a pair of dull droopy eyes staring at them.
Flump.
"Ah. Just the two agents I was looking for." he droned in that monotone voice of his, shoveling a handful of Cockroach Clusters in his mouth.
"Yooo, Flump." she greeted nervously.
Merlin, did she really just say that? Salazar Save her.
Callum shot her a questioning look. Arah ignored it, plastering on a cheesy grin while Flump eyed her suspiciously.
"Right..." Flump chewed thoughtfully, eyeing the two of them. "Anyways, come with me. I got a confidential mission for you two that I need to brief you on."
They shared an awkward glance as they trailed behind Flump, the sounds of Cockroach Clusters crunching through the unbearable silence between them.
Yo?! Callum mouthed silently.
I don't know. Arah shot back, having a full on silent argument behind their most oblivious boss.
"Take a seat." He gestured once they stepped foot in his cluttered office. Both of them remained standing as far as they could from the other.
"...Or don't."
He palmed another handful of candy, popping them in his mouth as he lazily unfolded a scroll, "I received a letter from Dumbledore requesting our assistance to investigate an incident that happened at the school." he spoke, pieces of cockroach cluster shooting from his mouth. Arah tried not to gag.
"What kind of incident?" Callum pressed.
"The details are in the report. You should know... he specifically asked for you, Arah." He glanced up from behind the paper.
Arah's brows furrowed. "Okaaay." she drew. "Why?"
"It's in the report."
"Are you going to tell us anything helpful at all or just make us read the report?" She challenged, crossing her arms across her chest.
Flump handed the letter to Callum, ignoring Arah's comment completely. "I need you both to go to the school at once. Callum, read over the report and brief Arah on your way."
"Yes sir." Callum agreed, accepting the letter.
"Good. Off you go then." he shooed them off with a flippant wave acting as if he'd rather be doing literally anything else than standing there talking to them.
They made their way to the ROCC lobby, Callum busying himself with the report- likely distracting himself to avoid Arah's gaze or continue the awkward conversation they had left off.
They passed the large Gargoyles, approaching the mysterious enchanted door the two statues guarded. Everyone knew one couldn't apparate to Hogwarts directly, but there were benefits of being an ROCC agent. It tend to open many doors... some you could quite literally walk through. Callum turned the knob, walking directly into the Hogwarts courtyard.
It was as if time had stood still in this place, familiar yet different. The fountain burbled happily, the leaves rustling in the chilled autumn breeze, the vines climbing the arbors and columns a vibrant orange with the promise of winter fast approaching. Arah felt so much older compared to the last time she'd stood here. Nostalgia tugged at her heart for the place she had once called home.
"Oy, come on. We can take a walk down memory lane later." Callum said, flipping through Dumbledor's letter. "We're going to the Hospital Wing."
"Why?" Arah asked, her curiosity peeking as she followed behind his lanky strides. The halls were quiet and empty; classes must have been in session.
"Supposedly there have been two related incidents this year... both victims petrified. Similar to a curse that afflicted the school in your 6th year?
"That's right," Arah recalled, remembering the handful of victims that had been affected by the Cursed Vaults. It was as if they had turned to stone. She shuddered at the awful memory.
"Dumbledore mentioned you helped break the curse?" Callum glanced from the letter to Arah, arching a dark brow questioningly.
Could Dumbledor think the Cursed Vault had been tampered with again? There was no way- the curse had been broken, the vault with it. It had been completely destroyed under the collapse of an underwater cave in the deep depths of the Black Lake.
Arah nodded, "I did. I made sure of it."
"Hmm." Callum's dark brows raised, seemingly impressed by her effort. "The first victim was Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris. She was found petrified on the second floor near the girl's lavatory."
They turned the corner and entered the Grand staircase. They started climbing, weaving mindlessly between the rising platforms as if no time had passed since their years attending Hogwarts.
"Could be a harmless prank? That cat was always a bloody menace." Arah murmured.
"You'd think, but there was a warning written on the wall... written in blood."
Arah grimaced, "Seems a bit dramatic. Maybe a student was just trying to scare others?"
They both skipped over the vanishing step like muscle memory.
"Maybe." Callum considered, "They found the second victim just yesterday. A first year by the name of Colin Creevey was found petrified on the stairwell close to the Hospital Wing."
Arah frowned. Poor kid.
A massive pendulum swung above them, a steady whoosh filling the large clock tower as they made their way up the final stairs. Arah processed all that she had learned, mind-churning as it always did when working out a problem.
"What did the warning say? On the wall." She spoke up.
Callum flipped through the letter, "The Chamber of Secrets have been opened. Enemies of the heir, beware..."
"Chamber of Secrets?" Arah questioned, furrows knitted. "Does that mean anything to you?"
Callum gave an unknowing shrug. "No clue."
They entered the Hospital Wing where Dumbledore stood waiting for them, peering up through his half-moon spectacles as if he'd known they would arrive as soon as they did. Suddenly, Arah felt like a small child again, recalling the countless times she faced this man, full of nerves and trepidation- afraid of a scolding or lecture with the amount of trouble she had caused in her Hogwarts days.
"Ah, how nice it is to see old students return. I trust that you are well?" he gave a warm and welcoming smile.
"Nice to see you again, Professor," Arah smirked, shaking his wrinkled hand.
Callum gave a terse nod, "Aye, good to be back." Always the professional one.
"I admit, I'm afraid things could be better, given the circumstances." Dumbledore's smile saddened, gesturing to a small boy lying in a cot, his body frozen in an unnatural pose. "As I'm sure you know, these 'attacks' have caused some concern amongst the student body, and rightfully so. I cannot help but be reminded of a similar plague that cursed the school all those years ago- one that you, Arah, helped rid of."
"You don't think the vault was somehow opened again, do you sir?"
Dumbledore considered this carefully for a moment, "No, I don't. But I want to cross off every possibility before considering other darker avenues."
"How can we help?" Callum chimed in.
"It pains me to ask you of such a thing," He turned to Arah, his twinkling eyes meeting her gaze, "Especially after you've done so much for this school... but I ask for your help once more. If you would please step forward and observe the boy." He gestured them forward.
Arah bit her lip anxiously and stepped forward, approaching the boy known as Colin Creevey. Her heart sank. The boy was still as stone, hands frozen forever framing his face unnaturally. But what stood out most was the way his face twisted in terror. Arah frowned, skimming her fingers over his hand- cold as marble.
"It looks like he was holding something to his face." Callum observed.
"You were always quite the insightful one, Mr. McClintock." Dumbledore nodded with approval. "He was found with this."
Callum received a large camera from Dumbledor's hands. Arah leaned over to peer over Callum's shoulder. He stiffened for a brief moment at her closeness, his dark lashes flashing in her direction before turning his attention back to the camera. He pried open the cartridge; it was completely fried.
"Melted." Callum's thick brows furrowed.
Arah examined the young boys face again, the permanent fright chiseled into his face like a sculpture.
Arah chewed her fingernails, thinking back to the victims of the Cursed Vault. It was different than... most of them frozen in brief moments of time; mid-belly-laugh or reaching forever for a book just out of reach. But this felt... different. Almost sinister.
"It looks like he saw something... terrifying." Arah processed aloud. "I don't think this is the curse we remember, sir."
"I fear you are correct."
A brief thought entered her mind - an idea. What if she delved into the boy's mind, put herself in his shoes and see for herself? Surely it wouldn't hurt to try...
Arah rolled up her sleeves, the cot squeaking under her weight as she sat at the edge of the bed. Gingerly, she placed her fingers on his icy temples and closed her eyes, seeking the delicate threads of his consciousness, the physical contact anchoring her to his muted thoughts.
"What are you doing?" Callum questioned, a hint of concern wavering in his voice.
A nervous excitement twisted Arah's gut, an eagerness to uncover the mystery that lay before them. It would be easy. What use was it to be a gifted Legilemens if one didn't use it? It would be a waste.
"I think I can get a read on him... see what he saw that night."
Arah ignored their protests, closing her eyes, concentrating on the faint connection. There it was- the most delicate waver, like the paper-thin wings of a butterfly. She grasped onto it, wrapping herself in the boy's mind as an image began to take shape- her eyes glossing over, lost in the memory.
It was dark. A steady rhythmic whoosh like a metronome filling the air, the soft curls fluttering on his head as the massive pendulum swung steadily. He was in the clock tower.
A child-like eagerness filled his chest as he made his way up toward the Hospital Wing. It was the perfect opportunity to corner Harry Potter- he had so many questions to ask, he wasn't even sure where to begin. He'd even snuck him grapes from the kitchens, surely Harry was famished by now. Maybe he'd even-
Colin paused, a soft sound slinking in the shadows. He cocked his head, listening as it grew into a hissing... deep and guttural.
Fear prickled the back of his neck, his hair standing on end.
The school was ancient and mysterious- all types of strange noises echoed through the night, but this... this was something different. Evil. Lurking. Hunting.
He swallowed, twisting his head to look behind him, peering in the inky darkness that seemed to swallow him hole.
"H-hello?" He squeaked, the flesh on his skin tightening with goosebumps.
Another hiss reverberated his chest, vibrating his very bones. He spun on his heels- a shadow seemed to warp and slither in the blackness, his eyes surely playing tricks on him.
But then the slithering swelled, the sound of squelching dragging along the floor- thick and girthy.
Colin's breath quickened as the shadow grew larger, it's song swelling, shaking his very soul. With trembling hands, he lifted his camera, bringing the lens to his eye. He would use the flash to chase away the darkness and prove it was just his silly imagination.
Click.
The camera flashed as ice-cold terror pierced Arah's heart, running through her veins, every fiber of her being frozen with fear as she felt her body stiffen. Arah ripped herself out of the memory, gasping- clutching her chest.
Firm hands grasped her shoulders. "Whoa, whoa- Arah!"
Arah reached for Callum's arm, desperate for his touch, to anchor herself in the present. Her eyes found his, wild and panicked as she struggled to draw air into her lungs. He held her tight, his face twisted with worry.
"Breathe!"
She couldn't speak, the creeping terror clawing at her chest. She squeezed her eyes shut- the flash of the camera still burned into her vision- the strange silhouette of a beast seared in her eyelids.
"Hey, hey, look at me." He rubbed his hands down her arms- his warm presence bringing her back. It was only a memory. Callum was here. She was in the Hospital Wing. Callum was here. "You're okay. You're okay." he chanted.
Arah nodded, letting his comforting words wash over her, soothing the paralyzing fear.
"What... what was that thing?!" She choked, looking to Dumbledore for answers.
His face fell, a look of solemn apparent in his tired eyes. "My worst fears confirmed."
Footsteps echoed throughout the empty corridor, Callum glancing at her every so often to make sure she was alright.
"I told you, I'm fine," Arah assured him for the tenth time. "I promise."
"I know..." Callum said, shifting his gaze away from her. "You just scared the hell out of me is all."
"Callum McClintock? Scared" Arah arched a challenging brow at him.
A breathy chuckle escaped his lips, combing his fingers through his dark hair. "Sod off, Annon."
Arah grinned, grateful for the familiar banter returning between them. But it didn't last long, as her smile faded into a frown.
"I wonder what that thing was." Arah thought to herself. "Maybe we can help somehow?"
"Nay, that's not our job. Let them handle it from here, We've played our part."
"But-"
"You heard Dumbledore, you've done enough for this school as is. Let it go."
Arah sighed, biting her lip. "Yeah, maybe you're right."
"I know I'm right." he chuffed.
Arah rolled her eyes. "Git."
He smiled, eyeing her a moment. Arah could feel his gaze drinking her in."Hey... what do you say I take you out for a drink tonight?" he glanced at her- desire evident in his gaze.
Arah bit her lips, feeling torn. "I can't. I promised my brother I'd have dinner with him and Olivia tonight."
A flash of disappointment before his gaze returned again. "Maybe another time then?"
"I'd like that." Arah smiled, "You could join us tonight, you know? If you want..."
Callum frowned, shoving his hands in his pocket. "Nay, I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not?
"Because we need to keep this between us." he gestured between them.
"And what is 'this' exactly?" Arah mirrored his gesture..
Callum shrug, "A bit of fun?"
Arah stopped, glaring at him. "Is that what I am to you? Just a bit of fun?"
Callum groaned, "I don't know, Arah. I don't... do labels, okay?"
Arah frowned. He approached her, laying his hands on her shoulders.
"But I know I like you, okay?" he spoke quietly, his thumbs caressing her shoulders. "I like you a lot."
Arah felt her lips curl at his words. "I like you too."
"Well, I'd hope so." He puffed out his chest arrogantly. "What's there not to like?"
Arah rolled her eyes, shoving him playfully. "I can name a few things."
Callum snorted.
"Listen, I get we need to keep this between us. I'm fine with that, I really am. But you don't need to go and treat me like a XXXX to convince everyone otherwise. Just... act normal. Is that so much to ask?"
Callum considered this a moment, "You're right. And I'm sorry for earlier. Forgive me?"
Arah grinned, teasing him. "Maybe. I can think of a few ways you can make it up to me." She teased him.
Callum broke into a toothy grin, his eyes climbing her up and down. "I think I'm going to enjoy making it up to you."