Split Life Of War DISCONTINUED

18 Back Track

Chapter 18

We all stood there in shock. None of us understood what had just happened. I gasped, and stepped backward, tripping on something, and falling into the snow. Jacob wordlessly helped me up, and I took off running. When I got into the castle, I could hear footsteps running behind me, and knew that the gang was with me. I raced up the flights of stairs, and down halls. We burst into the transfiguration classroom, and I came up to the door to Professor McGonagall's office. There was no answer from the other side when I knocked. Caleb tapped my shoulder.

"She may be at breakfast Cat." I whirled around and took off towards the Great Hall. The doors to the Great Hall opened as the five of us ran in. The few students who had stayed at Hogwarts turned to look at us. The Malfoy twins and their older brother ignored us though. We raced down between the two house tables, and came to a stop in front of the high table.

"The forest," I gasped, "Harpies came out of the forest and Xavier..." I looked around at my friends at a loss for words. Professor McGonagall stood up.

"Come to my office, all of you. We should discuss this in private." She strode around the table, and down the middle of the Great Hall with her robes billowing behind her. The five of us ran behind her through the halls and up the stairways. As we reached the transfiguration room, we slowed down a bit. When we all entered the office, Professor McGonagall turned to face us behind her desk.

"Now will you explain the situation clearly?" Her gaze swept between each of our faces. I felt someone grab my right hand, and I looked over to see Jacob.

"We were just having a snowball fight together," Jacob spoke clearly, explaining the situation in detail. "Cathy and I were hiding behind a snow drift. We went to attack him, then Alisa and Caleb started attacking us. Raven ran into Cathy, and then the harpies came and began to try and take Xavier. We attempted to kill them, but suddenly they all disappeared in a flash with him. Immediately after that we ran to find you."

"Thank you Mr. Tatlock. We will try and notify Chiron about this development. For now please relax and act normal around your classmates. Tell anyone who questions about it that he was seriously injured and will not be returning to school for some time."

"Thank you Professor." Professor McGonagall nodded, and we left solemnly. No one talked as we trudged to the common room. Caleb, Alisa, and Raven walked up to their dormitories. Jacob grabbed my arm as I was about to follow.

"Cathy I would like to talk to you." He bit his lip.

"Sure Jacob. What is it?" I looked up at his eyes. He led me over to the couches and sat down. I sat down next to him and my hand rested on his upper leg.

"I'm not sure how to say this..."

"You can tell me anything."

"Anything?"

"Yes Jacob."

"I didn't really know what to do when the harpies came. They may report to Luke and he may find that I am with you."

"You can tell him that you were trying to 'cozy up' to me so that you could convince me to join you."

"Maybe I should have proof of 'cozying up' to you." He grinned at me and his arm snaked around my waist and pulled my closer. I grabbed a pillow and hit him with it.

"Jacob!"

"What?"

"Man up dude!"

"That would be more mature seeing at our ages."

"Dirty mind."

"I take offense to that Cathy."

"Ha. Ha."

"You know you love me."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that."

"I'm hurt."

"I like you as a friend."

"That's alright. Luke would kill me if I tried to make a move on his girl."

"You could just say that you were trying to get on good terms with me in order to get me to switch sides."

"I will just go with that then."

"I'm going to go to bed."

"Can I Slytherin?"

"No. One, you are not a Slytherin. Two, restrain that dirty mind of yours."

"Night Cathy." He stood up and walked to the stairs to his dormitory.

"Good night Jacob." I could swear that I saw a smile as he ascended out of my sight. I heaved myself off the couch and headed to bed myself. It seemed that Xavier's disappearance was the only problem we would have for a while.