Silence is Deafening

Chapter 43

trigger warning: major character death. this will be the only warning for the rest of the chapters.

Rome was falling. Everywhere the eye could see, teachers and older students were casting charms on the beloved walls of Hogwarts. The echo of "Protego maxima!" echoed through the halls and bounced in my ears. Hogwarts was preparing for battle, and children were soldiers.

"Miss Clarke?" A voice called, and I whipped around to find the source.

Slughorn stood a few meters from me, his wand still raised toward a wall of windows.

"My dear girl, what are you doing here?" he asked, as I neared him.

I ignored his question, suddenly feeling as if we were running low on time.

"Professor. Where—I'm looking for my friends. Astoria Greengrass and Bonnie Ivanov, they're in your house as well. Have you seen them?" I asked, panting slightly. Slughorn paused, pursing his lips.

"Most Slytherin students elected to leave—when given the choice. Any that elected to stay are securing the west wing, last I had seen. I'm sorry, dear girl—I'm not sure if your friends stayed or went to join—-or they left." Slughorn said, speaking the words as if he were tasting them on the way out. My heart raced, imaging Bonnie or Astoria leaving Hogwarts to join Voldemort.

I said a quick thanks to Slughorn, letting my feet carry me up the stairs toward the west wing. Slughorn's information rattled around in my brain, and I silently begged to see Astoria and Bonnie still here.

As I rounded the last corner, I saw a familiar flash of green-lined cloaks. I had stumbled on the small amount of Slytherins that had elected to stay. Most of them were 7th years, one fifth year, and a very nervous looking fourth year.

"Has anyone seen Bonnie or Astoria? Did they—-have they left?" I called out, swallowing hard. 6 pairs of eyes fell on my face, until a 7th year prefect named Constance Mason finally cleared her throat.

"I think they're around the corner, helping Michael Corner." She said, pointing over her shoulder.

Relief flooded through me. They were still here. I nodded, running in the direction of Constance's advice.

A familiar sandy blonde head came into view, and I broke into the first smile I felt was genuine all day.

"Bonnie!" I shouted, watching as she whipped her head around to me.

"Fuck! Lizzie! I was wondering if you'd show up! Tori thought you'd just leave us to do your dirty work." Bonnie said, a teasing smile on her lips.

"You joking? Never. What's been happening?" I asked.

"Tori's been helping first and second years escape to the castle. There's a passage that Ginny Weasley's brother told us about---behind the old Gregory the Smarmy statue. Leads right out to Hogsmeade station. Susan Bones---the Hufflepuff--she's apparating them all from there. I've been helping her, but they're all gone now. Where the hell have you been?" She asked, suddenly looking very cross.

"Long story. Potter said---Potter said You-Know-Who is on his way?" I asked, and Bonnie's expression suddenly became sober.

"That's what I've been hearing, too. Most other Slytherins...left. They went to join up with their parents, I s'pose. No wonder we have a bad rap." Bonnie attempted to joke, but I could see the pain in her eyes. We both fell silent.

"Well, as long as most of the children are gone. I'm just hoping--" I never found out what Bonnie was hoping. A cold, clear voice rang out from the castle walls themselves, both loud and quiet at the same time. Goosebumps erupted over my skin.