Heart of Stone: HPHM Year 6

Moving on

This time, several pubgoers looked up in alarm at the disruption, but no one did more than shrug and return to their drinks after the sound of the disapparition faded. Sarah stared at the spot she'd last seen Merula.

Merula was the mole.

Merula had joined R.

Merula had betrayed them.

It took several seconds for Sarah to recover her breath, and several more for her to get her legs to move. When they did, she dashed out of the pub, removed the cloak, and sprinted back to the Three Broomsticks. She pushed her way through the crowd, ignoring any disgruntled patron or friend wanting a chat until she found McGonagall, Snape, and Flitwick seated in a booth.

"Where's Professor Dumbledore?"

"He just left," answered McGonagall. "He has matters to attend to in his office."

"Are you alright, dear?" asked Flitwick, noting her pale face and heavy breaths.

Sarah didn't answer. She turned and hurried back across the pub. She thought she heard Snape call after her, but she ignored him, along with all the curious looks and calls of her friends as she sprinted from the pub.

She didn't stop or slow the whole way to Dumbledore's office. Upon arrival, she had to rest her hands on her knees and take great breaths in front of the gargoyle that blocked the spiral stone staircase.

"Password?" it asked.

Sarah wiped sweat from her brow. She didn't know the password. What rubbish was that, not letting people in to see the Headmaster? What if there was an emergency?

"It's an emergency!" she shouted.

"Nope," said the gargoyle.

Sarah growled. Fine, she would wait.

She didn't have to wait long.

"Spellman."

Sarah jumped at Snape's sharp tone. She turned to find him striding down the corridor. How did he get back from Hogsmeade so fast?

"What's the meaning of of this?" he snapped, his narrowed eyes flitting between her and the doorway to Dumbledore's office.

"There's something I need to tell Dumbledore. Right away."

"The Headmaster has important work to do. He doesn't have time to deal with your attention-seeking stories. You'll have to face the reality that now that the vaults are gone, you will no longer be the center of attention." He smirked in satisfaction.

Sarah fumed. "This really is important, Sir. I promise, if you'll give me the password and let me speak with him, he'll agree."

It was clear that whether or not Snape was going to let her in, he was going to torture her first. His smirk became more pronounced as he leaned down to speak in his low, slow fashion.

"I'd have thought that based on your current marks in my class, you'd be more occupied with revising than bothering the Headmaster."

"Professor Snape, please," said Sarah. "I have information about R. It's crucial that Dumbledore hear it."

"Is it?" said Snape, his tone still mocking. However, his sneer finally dropped, and he regarded her curiously. "Very well then, I shall take you up to the Headmaster myself." He turned to the gargoyle and said, "Cauldron Cakes."

As the gargoyle moved aside and the spiral staircase revealed itself, Sarah's mind raced. What had happened to suddenly change Snape's mood. She didn't dare ask, as she didn't want to irritate him now that she was getting what she wanted. She followed him silently up the stairs until he paused and knocked on the door.