Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

The Winter Sky

Striding quickly down the hall, I find myself completely numb from the devastating information Evan just shared.

Mind's moving too fast - far, far too dangerously fast -

Stopping short, hoping to catch my breath, I shake my head and press my hand against a nearby column.

Close your eyes. Breath. Calm down.

But the noise in my head is too loud, and I realise I'm beyond overwhelmed. In fact, I'm so visibly distraught standing there like that that a pair of sixth-year Gryffindors passing by stops and asks if I need help.

Shaking my head vigorously, I manage a garbled response suggesting that I'm fine and then practically run to the nearest stairwell, escaping to the privacy it affords. Throwing my head downwards and falling down to the cold stone steps, my forehead presses against my knees as I shut my eyes and replay the rest of the conversation Evan and I just had:

"I need to tell you something, and it's not going to be pleasant for you to hear."

"What?"

"... Promise me you'll not fault me for it?"

"Fault you for what?"

"..."

"For what, Rosier?!?"

"... There's to be no official blame assigned to Mulciber regarding your friend Mary."

"What do you mean 'there'll be no blaming Mulciber?!'"

"Exactly that. And believe me when I say I'm truly sorry -"

"No -"

"Yes."

"But how?! How can that possibly be?"

"... There's no evidence."

"Mary."

"Her word against his. By itself, that's not enough for any disciplinary actions to be taken. And there's no hard evidence to back her accusation up."

"But -"

"His father showed up yesterday, for a private meeting with Headmaster Dumbledore, and the rest of the faculty -"

"AND?!"

"And Mr. Mulciber very vigorously advocated in favour of his son's innocence."

"WHAT INNOCENCE?!"

"I know this isn't what you want to hear -"

"It's not just that. How? How is this even possible?"

"Because Mr. Mulciber carries an obscene amount of influence, as do all the parents of everyone in my circle."

"What of his wand?! Didn't they confiscate it, examine it? Check for the most recent spells he'd cast?"

"..."

"Well?!"

"... Y/N..."

"WELL?!?"

"... His wand's missing. Gone. Disappeared without a trace the morning after the attack. And along with it, any potential evidence stored on it."

"... Destroyed? Spirited away? Hidden?"

"I don't know. All I know is it's gone."

"..."

"It won't do to become emotional. We need to talk logistics."

"Logistics?! Of all the unfeeling, callous -"