THE SHADOW PATH ⎯ james potter

[045]

chapter forty-five:

o brother, where art thou?

Ellie was walking down the long stone corridor, making her way to Defence Against the Dark Arts with James, Sirius, Charlotte, and Remus by her side. 

Charlotte and Sirius were deep in conversation about the upcoming class, while Remus walked with his head tilted slightly, as if lost in thought. Ellie, too, found herself drifting into her own mind, wondering if she should talk to James again about the match, or if it was better to leave things as they were.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed behind them, growing louder and faster. Ellie turned just in time to see Regulus running up to her, his face tight with worry. His usually composed demeanor was gone, replaced with a sense of urgency that immediately set off alarms in her head.

"Ellie!" Regulus called out, breathless as he skidded to a stop beside her. "I need to talk to you. Now."

James, noticing the tension, narrowed his eyes but stayed silent. Ellie glanced quickly at the others, giving them an apologetic look before turning to Regulus.

"What's going on?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Regulus grabbed her wrist gently but firmly, pulling her aside, away from the others. "It's Barty. He's missing."

Her heart dropped. "What do you mean he's missing?"

"We've been looking everywhere," Regulus said, his voice low and frantic. "Evan and I... we can't find him. He hasn't shown up to any of his classes today. It's like he's disappeared into thin air."

Ellie's chest tightened. The idea of an actual disappearance within Hogwarts sent a chill down her spine.

"Are you sure?" she whispered, her voice shaky as she glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping.

"Positive." Regulus' face was pale, his dark eyes filled with genuine fear. "I've checked everywhere—his dorm, the common room, the Astronomy Tower, even the forest. He's just... gone."

Ellie swallowed hard, her thoughts racing. Barty wasn't the type to just vanish. He was reckless at times, but he wasn't stupid. If he was missing, something was very wrong.

"We can't waste time," Ellie said firmly, her resolve hardening. "This could be serious. We need to go to Dumbledore."

Regulus blinked, clearly hesitant. "Are you sure? I mean, if he's just gone off somewhere—"

"No," Ellie interrupted, her voice cutting through the doubt. "If he's really missing, his life could be in danger. This is bigger than us. Dumbledore has to know."

Regulus looked at her for a moment, conflicted, before finally nodding. "You're right. We can't take any chances. Let's go."

As the two of them turned back, Ellie couldn't help but feel a rising panic in her chest. Whatever was happening, it felt eerily familiar to the disappearances she had heard about over the summer. And now Barty was the latest to vanish.

She and Regulus hurried down the hall, determined to reach Dumbledore before it was too late. 

But deep down, Ellie couldn't shake the sinking feeling that they were already running out of time.

The usual hum of Hogwarts students going about their day seemed distant, almost drowned out by the pounding in Ellie's chest. Regulus walked beside her, his jaw clenched in determination, but Ellie could see the worry etched into his features.