Heart of Stone: HPHM Year 6

Unsettling Meetings

The hundreds of floating candles illuminated the twinkling stars on the great hall's enchanted ceiling, but the characteristic twinkle in Albus Dumbledore's eyes had gone dim. 

"Rest assured, Patricia Rakepick will not step foot in this castle again."

The hall remained quiet, but the students of Hogwarts shared uneasy glances, unsure whether or not to believe the Headmaster. But one set of eyes remained fixed on Dumbledore, unblinking and determined as they awaited his next words. 

"Her capture and arrest, as well as her foolhardy mission to find the cursed vaults, will be left to the proper authorities. All that is required of you students, is to study well, make new friends, and become part of a brighter, more magical future."

Sarah Spellman's mouth twitched as his bespectacled eyes met hers. It was the same every year. A warning to stay away from the vaults. To stay safe and have fun, to be a normal student while the adults handled the danger. And every year, at the start of term feast, Sarah met Dumbledore's gaze and issued a silent apology. 

I can't. I have to finish this. I'm sorry. 

As if in response, Dumbledore snapped his eyes away from Sarah. Their electric blue sparkle returned as he clapped his hands with a smile. "Now. To bed!"

Sarah sprang to her feet, hoping to sneak away in the clamor of sleepy students searching for their dormitories, but someone pulled on her sleeve. 

"Where are you going?" asked Charlie. He beckoned to the first-year Gryffindors, who'd gathered in a nervous cluster behind him. "We've got to show this lot to the common room."

Sarah grimaced. She'd completely forgotten about her prefect duties. She glanced about in a panic. 

"Rowan, can you help with them? I've got that...thing I told you about."

"What, tonight?" Rowan's eyes were reproachful. "We're meant to head straight to the dormitories."

"I somehow doubt he cares."

"Who cares? What are you doing?" asked Charlie. 

Sarah ignored him and removed her prefect's badge so she could place it Rowan's hand. 

"I've got no choice. I'll get back as soon as I can, I promise."

Rowan's eyes were reproachful, but she couldn't fight a tiny grin as she pinned the badge to her own robes and announced to the Gryffindors, "Alright, first-years! Line up and follow me!" 

Sarah spun around and hurried to beat them to the doors so she could slip out of the castle, but no sooner had she crossed the threshold into the entrance hall than she was accosted by Penny, Barnaby, and Percy Weasley. 

"Sarah, have you seen Beatrice?" gasped Penny. "I never saw her after we got of the train, and she wasn't at the feast!" 

"You sure?" she asked. 

"Positive!" 

"Merula's gone, too," said Barnaby. "I noticed because this was the first feast that she hasn't teased me for eating like a starved manticore."

"Ben Copper is also missing," said Percy. "As soon as I noticed, I knew I had to inform a Gryffindor prefect immediately."

Sarah's brain hurt. Normally, she'd drop everything to help find her friends, but she was afraid if she disappointed famous auror Mad-Eye Moody, he might decide she wasn't worth the trouble and stop helping her with the vaults. 

"Look, they all had it rough last year," she said. "I'm sure they just needed a break from all the excitement and went to bed early. Go check in your common rooms, and if they're not there, tell a prefect."