The Hollow Beneath Hogwarts

124. I Always Feel Like Somebodys Watching Me

Jerry slowly turned to face the group.

The foyer was eerily quiet. Too quiet. The kind of silence that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. The kind that screamed trap.

Every member of the rescue party had their wand drawn. Every eye was fixed on one of the numerous doors branching off from the circular chamber.

The room itself felt ancient.

Older than Hogwarts. Older than memory.

Dust coated the stone walls. Cracks snaked through the floor. The enormous hourglass in the centre of the room continued its endless cycle, sand trickling from one chamber into the next with a soft hiss that somehow sounded unnervingly loud.

Draco hated it. The entire place felt wrong. Like the castle itself had forgotten this part existed.

Jerry lowered his voice. "Alright."

Instantly every conversation stopped. Everyone looked towards him.

"We know they're in the room with the hourglass, right Draco?"

Draco nodded immediately. His eyes never stopped scanning the darkness. "The room Hermione and Theo are being held in."

The image from his vision flashed through his mind.

Hermione hanging from chains. Theo beside her.

Sloane lying motionless on the floor. His stomach twisted.

"That's the room." Ron pointed straight ahead. "I think."

The addition earned him a few looks.

"What?" Ron shrugged. "It's been a traumatic evening."

Harry rolled his eyes.

Bill pinched the bridge of his nose.

Colson chuckled. "I think isn't exactly reassuring, Weasley."

Ron pointed again. "I'm eighty percent sure."

"That's even worse."

"Fair."

The brief moment of humour faded quickly. Because everyone knew what came next.

Colson stepped forward. The experienced Auror's expression was grim. "We check every room."

Several people nodded.

"No assumptions. No rushing. No shortcuts." His eyes moved around the group. "If they're not where we think they are, we adapt."

Jerry nodded approvingly.

Bill stepped beside them. "We know there are surprises waiting."

That immediately drew everyone's attention.

"We know Euan has creatures."

Another nod.

"We know he's intelligent."

Another.

"And we know he's expecting us."

The last statement settled heavily over the room. Nobody disagreed. Of course Euan knew they were coming. The creature had practically announced it.

Bill's gaze swept over the rescue party. "Stick to your teams."

His voice carried easily. "If your partner goes down, it's your responsibility to get them out."

No arguments. No hesitation. Just nods.

"If they're injured, you help them."

Another nod.