The Girl who Vanished

Chapter 3

The carriage flies out of the clouds pulled by its invisible steeds.

George Osric: "Glad I caught you before you left Scotland."

Professor Fig: "Just barely." they both chuckle.

George Osric: "And who is your travelling companion?"

Professor Fig: "A new student"

George Osric: (surprised) "New?"

Lara: "Yes, sir. I'm starting school as a fifth-year."

George Osric: "How extraordinary."

Professor Fig: "It is, indeed. None of the faculty has ever heard of anyone being admitted to Hogwarts so late."

George Osric: "Nor have I."

Professor Fig: "Of course, as the other fifth-years will have been honing their magical skills for four years now, the Headmaster asked if I could get our new student up to speed a bit before the term begins."

George Osric: "Well, you couldn't have asked for a better mentor. Professor Fig is not only an exceptional teacher, he is also a remarkably intuitive - and gifted -wizard." Fig waves off the complement.

Professor Fig: "Mr Osric is prone to flattery. I daresay it's one of the reasons he's risen so far at the Ministry. (chuckles)"

George's smile fades and he gets serious.

George Osric: "Have you seen this?"

He pulls out the day's copy of The Daily Prophet with a photo of a goblin in armor on the front.

RANROK'S GOBLIN REBELLION TRUTH? OR GOBBLEDEGOOK?

Lucius scoffs, goblins? The disgusting creatures wouldn't stand a chance against a real pureblood. Hearing the scoff and having a pretty good guess what he was thinking Flitwick glared at Lucius not that he noticed.

Professor Fig: "I have. Opinions differ as to how great a threat Ranrok really is."

George Osric: "Although I've yet to convince my colleagues at the Ministry. I believe he is a significant threat."

While George and Fig were talking, something outside caught Lara's eye, the silhouette of a large winged creature in the clouds.

Those who realize what the creature was turn as pale as a ghost except for Hagrid who couldn't help but grow excited. Lily held James like her life depended on it and he did the same. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about." He said in an attempt to reassure his wife and kids but anyone could tell he didn't believe it.

Lara decided that it must not be anything to worry about, they wouldn't be flying this route if it wasn't safe and so she turned her focus back to the conversation.

George Osric: "And it was your wife, Eleazar, who alerted me to his activities months ago."

Professor Fig: "Miriam? How?"

George Osric: (sigh) "She wrote to me about Ranrok before she died - wondering what the Ministry knew about his activities. Before I could respond, I received this. It was the last thing she sent me, Eleazar." He pulls out a beautiful teal cylinder with gold etchings and in the center, the mystery symbol.

Lily gasps. "James, it's that symbol again. Do you think we'll finally be getting some answers?" She asks with a mix of excitement and fear. He smiles and says "I know and I think we will"