The Year of the Revolution IV. The Outbreak

24. Joy

As they walked up the slope, Jack asked Sev, "How about your arm?"

"It hurts a lot even though I've taken painkiller potion, but that's not the worst," Sev answered. "I'm already exhausted from talking to so many people, and I've also taken Stimulant, because the painkiller makes me sleepy. It's not my thing, I'm a lonely being. And I have five Time-Turning hours left with Dumbledore."

"So much?" amazed.

"Surely yes, and he, even worse. I bet what you want that he has spent another five with the Gryffs."

"Bring him Stimulant Potion," Jack suggested.

"Yes, that's what I was thinking of doing, let's see if they haven't destroyed my trunk. Otherwise, we will have to stop by where I have the reservation that I prepared for Anthony and me."

"Well, I don't think they dared."

"Ugh... you can expect any stab in the back from those ones," Sev replied. "We have time to stop by the house now, and that way I take them, they fit in my pockets."

"Sure. I'll organize the escort."

Sev thought, At home it is no longer necessary, but hey, that the other malefics get used to seeing me warded around the school. Within thirty seconds he was surrounded by the heart of the Guard. Jack and Anthony flanking me, and behind me, Valerie, Deborah and Andrew. Five good Sly warriors covering my back and flanks. In front I am enough alone. They went up the front stairs.

(Lauren must have stayed outside, watching us walk in. Too bad, I would have loved to see her right in the house, like this morning. What a kiss, just with our lips.)

They went down to the dungeons, to enter the house, in pairs. Jack and Anthony up front, Sev alongside Deborah, and the sixth-year couple bringing up the rear. The Common Room is empty. Everyone that's left was training or was out watching.

They stopped behind the couch in front of the fireplace, the five of them surrounding him. Jack spoke, "We'll inspect, and if they are not there, you can rest for a while even if you are late for lunch."

"Not to mention, we have to get to the Great Hall as soon as possible," Sev said. "We must find a new place at the table, I'll explain why upstairs. Let's go up to the bedroom."

Jack preceded, Sev in the center and behind him Anthony. To the fifth-year boys' dormitory. They entered. It is empty. Two of the usual six trunks remain, intact.

"Great!!" Sev exclaimed. "Anthony, for us alone!"

"I think I'm going to move here," Jack was laughing.

"Sure, do it if you want."

They gave each other a threesome hug, laughing out loud.

"What is your bed?" Jack asked.

"The one by the window," Sev replied.

"The best one."

"Of course, I woke up the night of the Sorting, I was already tanned. Come with me."

They both sat on Sev's bed and he conjured the Muffliato. Anthony went to his, the farthest from him and the window, opposite the bathroom door, the worst one.

Sev explained, "Look, Lily and I project to each other, and now I also do it with Dumbledore, so to be in contact with both of them I have to be at a medium distance from both of them."

"Are you going to tell Dumbledore that you know how to project? He will discover Lauren," Jack objected.

"I'm sure he'll offer to teach me, and I can't waste my time pretending I don't know how to do something I do know how to do. I'll tell him what we learned by chance."