The Dark Promise// Theodore Nott

CH 8

The two were walking for what seemed like a long time. She followed him all the way up to the defense against the dark arts tower, wondering what the hell could be up there? Surely, he wasn't going to pull her into the same broom closet Malfoy did. They stopped below the stairs that led to the D.A.D.A classroom. She had been here before many times. A large clock that no longer moved sat underneath the stairs sat in front of them. She always thought it was odd they would put a clock underneath the stairs, especially one as complex as this one. She just figured it was once placed somewhere else then later moved. "Theo, this is a clock." She said in a monotone expression.

He nodded, a small smirk on his face. "It seems that way. Or is it?" Was all he said, folding his arms. Olivia motioned to the clock, waiting for something else to happen. "Aaaand why are we standing in front of a broken clock?" Theodore laughed, knowing he was going to blow her mind. "Because it's my secret hideout." He waved his wand over the clock, making it come to life. Large gears swirled before locking into place. The two heard a click and the door popped open. This wasn't a clock at all. More of a vault door. Theo held the door open for her. "Ladies first."

She entered his hideout, amazed she hadn't known anything was here before. It was just a simple stone room that was lined with barrels and boxes. A small old desk sat in one corner and an older plush couch sat in another. "Theo, how did you know about this place?" She asked, turning around towards him. "Remember when I said I finished all those detective books? Well, I was in the middle of the seventh book and the main character had talked about a large clock that turned into a room. It was described exactly like this one, so I decided to try to open it. I felt kind of silly at first but low and behold." He gestured around the room; happy she was at least a little impressed by him.

Olivia walked around the large room, taking in everything there was to see. Her amazement of this new room in Hogwarts was short lived though. When she thought about what had happened only fifteen minutes ago, all happiness drained from her. Theo felt it too. As soon as he saw her arms drop to her sides, he knew what she was thinking. "If it wasn't Malfoy, then who?" He asked, having no idea who would want to hurt Hermione Granger.

Olivia adjusted her glasses before running her fingers through her hair in frustration. "That's what has me stumped. As far as we know, Malfoy is the only person that knows for certain you-know-who is planning on coming back. Unless...." Their eyes met. It was almost like they were speaking telepathically. "Zabini and Goyle?" He asked, knowing that's what she was implying. They were the two people closest to Malfoy. The three did everything together. It would be odd if they didn't know something strange was going on with their friend.

Olivia nodded before walking over to the couch, plopping down on it and letting her body sink in. "We can't just ask them. If they truly know something they would just lie and report to Malfoy afterwards. I'm sorry Theo, I'm at a loss. This changes things. Maybe we should just tell Dumbledore everything we know. I can give him my book and tell him our theories. Surely, he would listen to us. It's not so farfetched." Theo sat down next to her, clasping his hands together as he thought about it. Suddenly, a realization came over him. "Dumbledore wasn't at the crime scene. He didn't even see Granger. When something truly bad happens to a student, wouldn't you expect the headmaster to be there?"

Olivia turned her head to the side. How had she not thought of that before? Dumbledore was the most powerful wizard in the world, surely he already knew something was up. So why had he been so quiet the last week? "That is rather odd. Maybe he is doing some investigating of his own?" Theo scoffed at this reply. "Oh, come on Olivia. Dumbledore is full of shit. His speech at dinner that night was full of shit and his actions today speak volumes. We can't go to the professors yet. Not until we have real proof. It would all be he said she said at this point." Olivia knew he was right. She had been the one who made a big stink about finding the truth last night. She couldn't let one hiccup ruin what they had already known. It was just that unexpected things had happened so fast, and she couldn't help but wonder how they were all connected.