The Girl who Vanished

Chapter 38

Some time has passed, winter is now over and O.W.L.s are fast approaching. Lara is still struggling to move on from the death of her mentor, the professors and her friends have done their best to help her. The first few weeks were the hardest, sometimes she would start crying in the middle of class, other times she would visit Professor Fig's classroom hoping to find him sitting at his desk.  She is doing much better now as she packs her supplies for the day, she is supposed to meet with Professor Weasley to discuss her progress.

People's hearts break hearing how hard Lara took Fig's death.

Professor Weasley's Office

Lara: "Professor Weasley - you wanted to see me?"

Professor Weasley: "I did. We haven't had a chance to speak since -. I know you were quite close with Professor Fig."

Lara: "Hogwarts won't be the same without him." She says with a heavy heart.

Professor Weasley: "No. It won't. But I can assure you that he would want us to press on - and that he would rest easy knowing that the future of the wizarding world is in hands like yours."

Lara: "Thank you, Professor."

Professor Weasley: "You've had quite a year - both inside and outside of Hogwarts. I've heard all sorts of rumours - you've ridden a Graphorn, befriended a goblin, rescued Hippogriffs - even helped Mr Ollivander track down a family wand."

"And yet she didn't do anything to address those rumors why?"

Lara: "How did you -?"

Professor Weasley: "It's harder to keep secrets around here than one might suspect. I'm just glad you found such a good friend in Miss Onai. I think her mother shares the sentiment. While I do not condone taking matters into your own hands when it comes to men like Rookwood and Harlow, your bravery is to be commended."

"Crap, Harlow is still out there!"

The atmosphere in the room was tense as everyone had forgotten about Rookwood's second in command.

Lara: "Thank you, Professor. I -"

Professor Weasley: "No need to discuss it further. What I would like to discuss is your Wizard's Field Guide."

The two witches sit down and Lara hands her the Field Guide.

Lara: "What do you think, Professor?"

Professor Weasley: "I think you've been busy this year. There are still some areas left to be completed, fortunately you do have some time to prepare for your O.W.L.s. I will confess, I had a sense about you from that first moment you came bursting in, late, to the Sorting Ceremony. I am pleased to see that my instincts were correct."

"It feels like the Sorting Ceremony was years ago." James chuckles.

"Well technically it was almost a century ago." Sirius jokes.

Professor Weasley: "To think, you've only been with us a year and you'll already be taking your O.W.L.s - well, it's nothing short of astonishing."

Lara: "Thank you, Professor. For everything."

Professor Weasley: "You are most welcome. I look forward to seeing what you do during the rest of your time with us. Before you go, I have something for you." She grabs a stack of books from a nearby table.

Professor Weasley: "These belonged to Professor Fig's wife, Miriam, they would have wanted you to have them."

Lara: "Thank you, Professor." She wipes the tears from her eyes and puts the books in her bag.