Term passed slowly, and with no further attacks, but with a constant undercurrent of tension. The ban on quidditch affected morale in a palpable way and people could often be heard complaining loudly about in in the great hall. One ambitious third year had even tried to practice inside the hall at breaktime, swooping underneath the high ceiling.
The teachers, however, found this less amusing than the students, who were whooping and cheering him on, and the boy received a week's worth of detention.
The early curfew too, played its role in making the school a less pleasant place to be. Oscar could barely bake any more, and people found it much more difficult to visit friends in other houses.
For Kyra specifically, the teacher patrol meant that her vague plan to sneak into the restricted section at night was shot to pieces.
The snow continued falling, blanketing the school grounds and surrounding craggy mountains in white until about March. Bitterly cold rains eventually replaced the snow, washing away the white in pools of mud, until the landscape was bare and grey.
Sitting at lunch one day in early March, she found herself being nudged by Kat, who was looking at her worriedly. "Everything okay?"
Kyra mentally shook herself and smiled. "Yeah. Yeah, sorry. What are we talking about?" She looked over her glass at Grace, opposite her. "Please not more complaining about quidditch."
Grace raised her arms in exasperation. "Please. No, we're talking about Hogsmeade next weekend. Are you coming?" she asked.
Kyra shrugged. "You guys are all going, right?"
Grace nodded. "Sure, then."
Finishing lunch, which was roast chicken and yorkshire puddings, Grace and Kyra left for Potions while Kat went upstairs for Transfiguration.
Grace, walking beside Kyra, gave her a sidelong glance, hesitated. "You know, you don't need to look after us all the time," she said gently. "I know you've been worried about everything, about us, but it doesn't haven't to be your job."
Kyra was quiet for a moment before stopping to look at Grace. "I know you can look after yourself, Grace. I just feel so out of control, and I don't know what to do." She looked down at her feet.
Grace took her hand and folded it in her own. "Just as long as you know that you have me to help you."
Kyra smiled at the ground and looked up, squeezing Grace's hand. "I know. I'm glad."
YOU ARE READING
The Founders
FanfictionKyra Chen is beginning her sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry when a series of unusual events converge- a new student, a theft- to form a dangerous and intricate plot that entangles her and her friends and draws them deep into...
