Maggie

Chapter 16 - Last Time

 "I don't know what the hell happened, but you better explain everything in transfiguration."

When I had entered the great hall, I found a very anxious group of friends waiting for me. Gianna, Enzo, Albus, Scorpius, Alfie, Damon, and Cole had all been gathered at the Slytherin table with plates full to the brim with untouched food. It was sweet, really, to have so many people care about me in such a short space of time. I quickly squashed their worry, insisting I was fine.

"I won't be in transfiguration, Gianna. McGonagall wants me to take it easy today."

"Ugh! I've already had to deal with a morning without you. I'm not doing an afternoon too!"

I held up my hands, fingers in a peace sign, and gave a mock pout.

"What can I say. Cripple's privilege."

The table erupted with laughter.

"Oh, stop being dramatic, Maggie. You're hardly a cripple," chortled Toss.

"Careful, Tosser. I could bring this entire castle down on you. I've already taken care of that corridor."

"Oof. All bark and no bite, I see! We checked that corridor on our way here and it's in pristine condition."

"What?" I was shocked.

"Yup. So I'd love to see you try-"

"It's not destroyed? Like, at all?" My mouth was agape. How was it possible?

Toss frowned. "No. Should it be?"

"Well considering I nearly killed six students and myself by bringing the ceiling down, yes! It should be covered in dust and rubble!"

Damon looked really confused now, his brow was furrowed so tight the gap between his eyebrows had disappeared completely. "Huh. Weird."

"Maybe you're talking about a different corridor?" Gianna offered.

"Or maybe McGonagall cleared the mess up already?" Piped up Alfie.

"I don't know," I muttered. "I feel like she would've mentioned it to me if she'd repaired the damage. I mean I was literally just talking to her."

"Maybe someone else did it?" Suggested Albus. "Anyway. Why did those fools attack you? Did they mention it?"

I felt my cheeks flush with colour. I would never, ever, tell Albus what they told me. How could I? He would think this was all his fault.

"No. They didn't say anything."

"Well, I know they were friends of your brother's, Al," said Scorpius, gravely. "I saw McGonagall dragging them out of her office to pack their things after she had suspended them. They're the same ones who gave you all that trouble last year, remember?"

Albus' eyes darkened. He looked so intimidating at that moment, and it was so utterly out of character for him, that I felt an actual chill run down my spine.

"Oh, I remember, Scorp. I'm not likely to forget that in a hurry."

I was too scared to ask him to elaborate. Enzo did, though, in a horrified whisper.

"What happened?"

"We don't talk about it." Alfie jumped in to save his friend. "But put it this way. This isn't the first time those boys have been suspended."

I felt my blood run cold. Why on earth were they still in Hogwarts?

"Anyway. We don't have to worry about them for a whole month," announced Damon who seemed utterly immune to the dark mood which had settled over the group. "And, when they come back, no Slytherin will leave the common room alone under any circumstances. The divisions between the houses are much better than they were when our parents were here, but it's still a good idea to stick together. We need to protect our own."