The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

35. Dream On

Harry Potter was used to being stared at. 

Honestly, after seven years at Hogwarts, he doubted there was anything the student body could do anymore that would make him uncomfortable. Whispers followed him everywhere he went. They always had. Sometimes they were curious whispers. Sometimes admiring. Sometimes cruel.

He had become very good at pretending not to hear any of it.

But standing outside the Great Hall now while Professor McGonagall, Kingsley, Madam Pomfrey and the Aurors disappeared inside first...

Harry suddenly felt nervous. Properly nervous.

Because Hogwarts students were like wildfire with rumours. And currently the entire school had been trapped inside the Great Hall for over an hour while eight students mysteriously vanished alongside half the staff and the Minister for Magic.

By now there were probably at least twenty conspiracy theories spreading around the room.

And knowing Hogwarts—

At least five of them probably involved murder.

"You ready?" Ginny asked quietly. The group had stopped just outside the doors now.

Everyone looked exhausted. Draco snorted softly. "For this?" He motioned weakly toward the massive doors ahead. "Not even remotely."

"I think I was safer with the demon," Sloane groaned.

That earned a few tired laughs.

Though honestly...

Not entirely untrue.

Hermione adjusted the blanket draped around Sloane's shoulders before speaking. "I say we go in together, ignore the looks and whispers, grab our cot beds and don't speak to anyone until morning."

"Works for me," Blaise muttered. "We don't even know what we'd tell people anyway," he added. "McGonagall said not to mention any of this."

Luna nodded thoughtfully. "So the plan is ignore everyone and stay together?"

"Sounds bloody brilliant to me," Ron sighed.

Harry took a deep breath. "Okay," he nodded. "We go in together."

The doors swung open.

Instantly—

Every single head in the Great Hall turned toward them. The noise died immediately. Hundreds of students stared. Teachers too.

And honestly...

The sight before them probably looked horrifying.

Sloane stood wrapped in blankets and bandages, pale and exhausted with cuts still visible across her face and neck. Draco's arm sat secured tightly in a sling. Harry, Blaise and Ron were covered in dirt, dust and streaks of dried blood. Hermione's hair looked like she'd been electrocuted. Ginny had a tear across one sleeve. Luna still had cobwebs tangled in her hair. Neville was covered in dust from the debris and sweat. 

The Hall fell completely silent. Even the portraits watching from the walls looked unsettled.

Whispers started instantly.

"What happened to them?"

"Was there an attack?"

"Why's Malfoy injured?"

"Why is Potter covered in blood?!"

But just like they agreed—

The group ignored everyone.