Heart of Stone: HPHM Year 6

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Sarah hadn't been able to concentrate on lessons the entire day. How could she, when the vault called to her from beneath the dark water and the key rested around her neck?

Merula had skipped today, preferring to lay low until the veritaserum wore off so as not to "spill my guts to the first doe-eyed first year that bumps into me in the corridor." Sarah didn't blame her.

She'd told Barnaby she was going to the lake, and he offered to join her. She was grateful for the company; it wasn't safe to visit the lake with R agents hanging around. So, she wasn't that upset when Ben insisted on coming along, too.

At dusk, the three of them snuck down to the lakeshore under the invisibility cloak. Once they were out of sight of the castle behind the boathouse, Sarah put the cloak away. She raised her wand and called, "Periculum."

Red sparks flew upward. The three waited in silence for a few minutes, hoping that Jacob would show up--and that R wouldn't.

"Pip?" she finally heard him whisper.

"Jacob!"

He appeared around the corner of the boathouse, looking wain but pleased to see her. His eyes narrowed at the two boys at her sides.

"You remember Barnaby," said Sarah coolly.

Jacob nodded and Barnaby gave a curt nod back.

"This is another friend of mine, Ben."

Jacob nodded again. Ben didn't react.

"What're you up to, Pip?" Jacob asked. "Something big, I'm guessing. You've got R scrambling."

Sarah raised an eyebrow at him. "What do you mean?"

"I'm doing my best to track them, with little results. But, whatever they're up to, they've been moving much more quickly lately. Like something's about to happen."

"It is," said Sarah. "We're going into the vault tomorrow."

"You've figured out how?"

"Yes."

Jacob nodded, rubbing his chin. "I don't suppose there's any chance I could get you to tell me and let me do this on my own."

"There's not," she confirmed. "But, I'd like you to come with us."

"Really?"

"Of course. This whole vault mess started with you." Jacob lowered his head, ashamed. "I think it would be fitting if you were there to end it."

Jacob met her eyes. "The last one."

"The last one."

He smiled. "Thanks, Pip. Of course I'll come with you. Someone's got to look out for you down there."

"You won't be the only one," said Ben, folding his arms.

Sarah thought he'd roll his eyes or argue, but Jacob simply said, "Good. If the buried vault was any indication, we'll need all the help we can get on this one." He looked back to Sarah. "How are you getting down there? Bubblehead charm?"

She nodded, and Jacob reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, wooden box. "I'm glad you came to me first. We'll use this instead. It'll be much better." He opened the box to show her the contents. Sarah peered down to stare at a tangled up green plant, not unlike the patch of seaweed she'd almost got lost in a few weeks ago.

"Is that gillyweed?"

Jacob nodded. "I only just got hold of it. Should be enough for, say, five people to get there and back."