The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

64. Lost Without You

Sloane was still trying to swallow the lump in her throat.

The conversation with Kingsley had moved on. Everyone else seemed to be focusing on the problem at hand.

The creatures. The wand. The school. The danger.

But part of her remained stuck a few minutes earlier. Stuck on Draco. Because what he'd done hadn't been small.

He had stood up to the Minister for Magic. Not just any Minister. Her uncle. A man who could probably make Draco's life very difficult if he chose to.

And Draco hadn't hesitated. Not once.

The memory warmed her chest. Even now. Especially now. Her fingers tightened around his hand slightly.

Draco glanced down.

She offered him a tiny smile.

He smiled back immediately.

And somehow that helped. Only a little. But enough.

"The Aurors are on their way."

Arthur's voice pulled everyone back to the discussion.

The room refocused.

Kingsley nodded. "They should be here shortly."

Arthur frowned. A thoughtful expression crossing his face. Then something occurred to him. "Oh."

Nobody liked that tone.

"What?"

Arthur looked towards Kingsley. "Are there enough of them?"

The Minister frowned. "Enough of who?"

"The Aurors." Arthur folded his arms. "I thought most of the team was in Russia."

The room went quiet. Kingsley froze.

Then immediately cursed. A very colourful curse.

One that made McGonagall raise an eyebrow.

And Joanna smack Kingsley's arm. "Language."

Kingsley sighed heavily.

Arthur had a point. A very good point.

"Damn."

The room collectively groaned.

That wasn't encouraging.

"My best teams are away." Kingsley rubbed a hand over his face. "Recovery mission. International cooperation. Three missing magical artefacts."

The students blinked. That sounded important.

"Very important," Kingsley confirmed.

Apparently he'd said that last part out loud.

"Which means..." Joanna's eyes narrowed.

Kingsley sighed. "The reserves will be responding."

A silence followed.

Mrs Zabini was the first to speak. "When you say reserves..." Kingsley visibly winced. "...do you mean trainees?"

The room collectively looked concerned.

Kingsley didn't answer immediately. Which was answer enough.

"Oh dear." Mrs Weasley looked worried.

"Are they experienced enough for this?"

Kingsley rubbed his stubble thoughtfully. Not a good sign. The Minister only did that when he was thinking very hard.