Gideon Drake and the Fire Within (Harry Potter Sequel/Spinoff)

Chapter Thirty: Fallout

As the chorus of pumpkin explosions continued, the bats went wild, flying in all directions and swooping down at people. Unable to use his legs just yet, Gideon remained on the floor covering his face with his arms. The rest of the crowd quickly dispersed to the edges of the room to avoid the downpour. After a few moments, Gideon hadn't felt anything hit him and peered between his arms to see what was going on.

The bats had disappeared, and a translucent blue film had formed above, shielding the students from the fiery shards of pumpkin gourd. Gideon saw several teachers, including the Headmistress, stood with their wands raised high, no doubt forming the barrier. A deathly hush came over the room as the explosions finally came to a halt.

Together, the teachers manipulated the shape of their shield until it became a magical net, gathering up the fallen remnants and the few unexploded floating pumpkins that lined the walls. The students watched as it was condensed into the shape of a sack and plopped down on the floor where it disappeared, leaving a smoking pile of orange debris.

Everyone's attention turned to Gideon, lying in the middle of the giant room alone. His mind began to race as he noticed students crying, hugging, and nursing wounds. What had he done? Had he done it? He certainly hadn't meant to. He didn't even feel it happen. However, with his moment of rage and the fiery nature of the incident, how could he deny it? What was wrong with him?

No, this is crazy, he thought to himself, he didn't even have his wand. But then, he didn't use his wand to start the dorm fire or the fire in Defence. Those had been considerably smaller, though. How could he have done magic like this without even realising it? Then, it hit him, maybe this was more along the lines of like what happened with the Dementors.

He had used magic on a large scale then. Someone was hurt then, too. Although, that event had tired him enough to land him in the hospital. Gideon felt perfectly fine, discounting the aftereffects of the Shocker Spells. Something just wasn't adding up. If it wasn't him, then who? Moreover, who would believe him in this situation?

People already thought of him as a loon, an image he immediately began to regret encouraging. Some still thought he was responsible for the Charms room fire. He would undoubtedly become suspect number one again.

On the other hand, what if they were right? Professor Voronov hadn't completely ruled out the possibility that Gideon could have been responsible. After what happened tonight, perhaps the man would change his mind. The return of light to the hall interrupted Gideon's train of thought.

'Your attention, please!' Professor Dandridge announced, 'Prefects will identify and escort any injured students to the Hospital Wing. The rest of you, return to your common rooms immediately.'

Teachers began ushering students out of the room. Professor Dandridge went to speak with the band, whose drummer had a gash across his face. Professor Voronov, however, made his way over to Gideon and offered him a hand to get up. Gideon did so, but his body was shaking.

On noticing this, the professor asked, 'Mr Maxwell? Explain.'

'I was hit with a Shocker Spell, Sir,' Gideon responded.

'By whom?' Professor Voronov enquired.

Gideon knew he should report Greg and Jason, but on top of everything else, he didn't want people thinking of him as a tell-tale—or a victim. 'I didn't see,' he said instead. 'But about what happened, I—I think it might have been me, or at least, my magic. I think I should have that test, after all, Sir.'

Professor Voronov looked dubious. 'Was there intent?' he asked quizzically, but Gideon understood that he was referring to a concept of magical theory.

'No, but—'