The Younger Potter

7

Professor Dumbledore sent all Gryffindors back to the Great Hall, where they were joined ten minutes later by the students from Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, who all looked extremely confused.

"The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle." Professor Dumbledore told them, as Professors Mcgonagall and Flitwick closed all doors into the hall. "I'm afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the hall and I am leaving Head Boy and Girl in charge. Any disturbance should be reported to me immediately," he added to Percy, who was looking immensely proud and important. "Send word with one of the ghosts."

Professor Dumbledore paused, about to leave the hall, and said, "Oh yes, you'll be needing..."

One causal wave of his wand and the long tables flew to the edges of the hall and stood themselves against the walls; another wave, and the floor was covered with hundreds of squashy purple sleeping bags.

"Sleep well," said Professor Dumbledore, closing the door behind him.

As soon as Dumbledore had left, the hall immediately burst into chatter; the Gryffindors were telling the rest of the school what had just happened.

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Draco couldn't  help staring at Charlotte, who seemed really frightened. He watched as her older brother pulled her in for a hug. Draco couldn't help but feel jealous. He wanted to be the one wrapping her in his arms, telling her it would be okay.

He was falling for her, especially after seeing her smile, when he had given her a birthday present.

"Psst. Charlotte."

He pulled the girl into their private corner, in which they would meet every day, her laughing at the words they shared.

"I wanted to give you this. I know it's your birthday today."

"Draco! You didn't have to!"

"I wanted to. You're an amazing person.Please, open it." Draco responded.

She unwrapped the wrapping paper, gasping when she saw the inside. It was a moving picture inside a picture frame with Lilies on the frame. The words You're the best person I'll ever need in my life were written and put in the picture frame.

"Draco, this is a really beautiful gift. Thank you." she said, meaning it with all of her heart. Before he knew it, she was hugging him, startling him for a moment before hugging her back.

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"Everyone into their sleeping bags!" shouted Percy. "Come on, now, no more talking! Lights out in ten minutes!"

Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Charlotte were in the corner as all around them, people were asking the same question.

"How did he get in?"

"Maybe he knows how to Apparate," said a Ravenclaw a few feet away, "Just appear out of thin air, you know."

"Disguised himself, probably," said a Hufflepuff fifth year.

"He could've flown in," suggested Dean Thomas.

"Honestly, am I the only person who's ever bothered to read Hogwarts, A History?" said Hermione crossly to Ron, Harry, and Charlotte.

"Probably," said Ron. "Why?"

"Because the castle's protected by more than walls, you know," said Hermione. "There are all sorts of enchantments on it, to stop people entering by stealth. You can't just Apparate in here. And I'd like to see the disguise that could fool those Dementors. They're guarding every single entrance to the grounds. They'd have seen him fly in too. And Filch knows all the secret passages, they'll have them covered..."

"The lights are going out now!" Percy shouted. "I want everyone in their sleeping bags and no more talking!"

The candles all went out at once. The only light now came from the silvery ghosts, who were drifting about talking seriously to the prefects, and the enchanted ceiling, which, like the sky outside, was scattered with stars.

Once every hour, a teacher would reappear in the Hall to check that everything was quiet. Around three in the morning, when many students had finally fallen asleep, Professor Dumbledore came in. As Dumbledore's footsteps came closer to the four in the corner, Charlotte quickly pretended to be asleep.

"Any sign of him, Professor?" asked Percy in a whisper.

"No. All well here?"

"Everything under control, sir."

"Good. There's no point moving them all now. I've found a temporary guardian for the Gryffindor portrait hole. You'll be able to move them back in tomorrow."

"And the Fat Lady, sir?"

"Hiding in a map of Argyllshire on the second floor. Apparently she refused to let Black in without the password, so he attacked. She's still very distressed, but once she's calmed down, I'll have Mr. Filch restore her."

The door of the Hall creaked open again and more footsteps came closer.

"Headmaster?" it was Snape. "The whole of the third floor has been searched. He's not there. And Filch has done the dungeons; nothing there either."

"What about the Astronomy tower? Professor Trewlaney's room? The owlery?"

"All searched..."

"Very well, Severus. I didn't really expect Black to linger."

"Have you any theory as to how he got in, Professor?" asked Snape.

"Many, Severus, each of them as unlikely as the next."

"You remember the conversation we had, Headmaster, just before-ah- the start of term?" said Snape

"I do, Severus," said Dumbledore, with what sounded like warning in his voice.

"It seems-almost impossible- that Black could have entered the school without inside help. I did express my concerns when you appointed-"

"I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it," said Dumbledore, and his tone made it so clear that the subject was closed that Snape didn't reply. "I must go down to the Dementors," said Dumbledore. "I said I would inform them when our search was complete."

"Didn't they want to help, sir?" said Percy.

"Oh yes," said Dumbledore coldly. "But I'm afraid no Dementor will cross the threshold of this castle while I am Headmaster."

Soon enough, she could hear the steady breathing of the Golden Trio as they finally fell asleep. Soon enough, her eyes closed and she two fell asleep.

A figure came into the hall, finding Charlotte and her brother. He smiled gently, watching his Goddaughter who rolled over, closer to her brother who, in his sleep, put his arm around her, the two sleeping peacefully.

"I love you, my little doe."

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I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Feel free to vote and comment and remember to take care of yourself! Have a great rest of your day!

Draco's gift: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/795026140473904401/