| HIDDEN IN SECRETS |

chapter eighteen

THE DUELING CLUB

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Something was on the move. Verena didn't know what it was, but she knew it was deadly and dangerous. When she awoke in the middle of the night, she had this horrible feeling that wouldn't go away. She tried to ignore it, but whenever she closed her eyes, she saw something moving in a dark, damp place. Her curiosity took over and she exited her common room, carefully walking downstairs to not be seen.

She wasn't sure where she was going but eventually found herself nearing a stop. There was a body at the end of the staircase. She froze, unsure of what she should do. She neared the body cautiously and flipped him over.

"Lumos," she whispered, and the tip of her wand illuminated.

Verena brought the light up to the boy's face. He was wearing red and gold – Gryffindor colours – and he was holding a camera.

"Oh, dear!" a man shouted, and Verena looked at a portrait nearby. "Help! Somebody help! A boy's been... "

"What was that?" said another voice, and Verena recognized it as Peeves the Poltergeist. "Verena Salvador," he said, and when he saw the body, he let out a loud gasp. "MURDER! MURDER!"

"I'll kill you, Peeves!" she whisper-shouted. "I'll kill you... again."

"Peeves, what are you shouting at?" said an irritable, stern voice. "What is – Miss Salvador? What are you doing... "

"I didn't do anything, Professor," Verena said quickly, noticing her face fill with horror. "I just found him like this, and I don't know what happened, or who did it."

"Verena Salvador's murdered someone!" Peeves was saying, gliding up the staircase for all the portraits to hear.

There was another set of footsteps. As he entered the light, Verena felt hopeless. Professor Dumbledore's eyes fell on the boy, and then he looked at Verena. She couldn't believe his expression was true. He looked scared, and if there was one thing she knew, Albus Dumbledore did not scare easily.

"Let's pick him up," said Professor Dumbledore to McGonagall.

"I'll – I'll head to my common room," Verena said, but she was stopped when Professor Dumbledore said, "You will accompany us, Miss Salvador."

She gulped, fearing her fate. She knew that accusations were bound to fall on her. Naturally, the school would know by tomorrow, and gossip would spread throughout the school.

Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore carried the boy up the stairs to the Hospital Wing. Verena trailed behind for most of the journey until she had to open the doors for them to get through.

"Get Madam Pomfrey," whispered Professor Dumbledore.

Verena took the legs of the boy and she and Professor Dumbledore heaved his body onto a bed. A minute later, Professor McGonagall came back with Madam Pomfrey, who looked at the boy with terror.

"This is – Isn't this Colin Creevey?" Madam Pomfrey asked. "What happened?"

"Another attack," Professor Dumbledore responded. "Miss Salvador found him on the stairs."

Madam Pomfrey gave Verena a wary look before slowly turning back to the boy.

"Did you see anything?" Professor Dumbledore asked Verena, and she shook her head.

"I-I just found him like that," Verena replied.

"He's been petrified?" whispered Madam Pomfrey.

"Yes," Professor McGonagall confirmed. "But I shudder to think... If Albus hadn't been on the way downstairs for hot chocolate - who knows what might have happened."