The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

93. Brother?

The weeks that followed were surprisingly quiet. Not peaceful. Nobody would have been foolish enough to call them peaceful.

But quiet.

Security around the group was increased immediately following the meeting. At first it felt ridiculous. Then annoying. Then exhausting.

Wherever they went, someone followed. Sometimes it was Aurors. Sometimes security officers. Sometimes teachers. More than once Sloane had looked up from lunch to find Professor Flitwick reading a newspaper three tables away while very obviously pretending not to watch them.

They were instructed never to travel alone. Never to wander. Never to take shortcuts. Never to leave the castle grounds without permission and an escort.

The rules became so normal that after a while nobody questioned them anymore. Harry and Hermione couldn't even go for a walk without somebody appearing.

Ron complained daily.

Blaise complained hourly.

Draco pretended to complain but secretly seemed reassured.

Sloane noticed. She always noticed. She knew every time he glanced over his shoulder. Every time he positioned himself between her and a stranger. Every time his hand automatically found hers in crowded corridors.

He was worried. Not that he would admit it. At least not out loud.

Weekly meetings became routine. Every Sunday. Same room. Same people. Same questions. Any updates? Any sightings? Any progress?

Every week the answer remained largely the same. No. No. And no.

The alarm system had been installed. Additional wards had been added. The security team expanded.

Yet Euan never moved. Never attacked. Never ventured beyond his territory. 

Weeks passed.

November became December.

The castle slowly transformed around them. Decorations appeared. Garlands hung from banisters. Evergreen wreaths appeared on doors. The Great Hall filled with enchanted snow and floating candles.

Students became excited for Christmas. And still nothing happened.

It became almost unsettling.

Sloane found herself staring at security reports and wondering if maybe Euan had simply given up.

Maybe he had realised he wasn't getting near them. Maybe he'd retreated. Maybe he'd regrouped. Maybe he'd found another target.

The uncertainty was almost worse than knowing.

At least when he was active they had something to fight.

Now they were simply waiting. Waiting for something they couldn't see. Waiting for something they couldn't predict. Waiting for a monster beneath their feet to make the next move.

Fortunately, Christmas arrived before any new horrors did.

And for the first time in months, Hogwarts closed its doors for the holidays without a single major disaster.

A miracle by Hogwarts standards.

Even though she'd insisted she wasn't going to leave, Sloane eventually found herself back at Joanna and Kingsley's home for Christmas.

Draco returned to Malfoy Manor. Narcissa was hosting. Andromeda would be there. Teddy Lupin would be there.

The holidays passed surprisingly quickly.