Sage | H. GRANGER

forty six

Chaos was the best word Sage could use to describe the moments after they exit the tunnel behind Neville. A crowd of students surround around the five of them, a mixture of excitement and relief travel through the air, shocking Sage as she takes in the sight before her. Dirt and grime covered the students. Some had bruises littering their exposed skin along with gashes and dried blood. A wave of rage washes over Sage. The feeling was familiar, one that she had felt not long ago as she had stared into the mirror after her escape from Malfoy Manor. It was the mark of torture, the mark of agony, the mark of war.

"Okay, okay!" Neville shouts, trying to calm the chaos. "Let's not kill them before You-Know-Who gets the chance!"

Sage winced at the joke as Neville turned to face them.

"Right then. What's the plan, Harry?" Sage could have laughed. That seemed to be the question of the century. Sage could see Harry's posture straighten as he studies the crowd. The nerves were apparent, but after a moment of silence, he finally answered.

"There's something we need to find, something hidden here in the castle. It could help us defeat You-Know-Who." Sage rolled her eyes at his vague answer.

"What is it?" Neville asked, folding his arms across his chest with a thoughtful look.

"We don't know." Harry responded.

"Where is it?" Dean Thomas asked.

"Don't know that either." Harry grimaced.

An air of confusion fills the room and Sage stands up a bit straighter, shifting her weight from foot to foot.

"I realize It's not much to go on." Harry continued, tightening his grip on his wand.

"It's nothing to go on." Seamus cut in.

"That's an understatement." Sage muttered.

Harry falters at her words, but at the sight of the tattered Ravenclaw banner hanging across the room, he takes a deep breath and sends a silent prayer to Merlin.

"I think it might have something to do with Ravenclaw. It would be small, easy to conceal, and valuable." His gaze settles on the small group of Ravenclaw students that listen intently to his explanation. "Any ideas?"

For a moment, Sage's stomach plummets as there is no answer, but as Luna Lovegood pushes her way to the front, that small flame of hope reignites.

"Well, there's Rowena Ravenclaw's lost diadem." Luna offers, her whimsical voice offering a bit of comfort to Sage's nerves. She catches Sage's eye and gives her a true smile. One that Sage can't help to return. "Hello, Sage."

"Hi, Luna." Sage answers quietly, not too eager to have attention on her as the last time she was in this castle, death eaters walked the halls at her hands and their headmaster died.

"Bloody hell. Here we go." Ron mutters and Sage elbows him harshly. He inhales sharply and casts a heavy look her way. Some stares linger on Sage, some quizzical, some familiar, some untrusting. All deserved.

"The lost diadem of Ravenclaw?" Luna continued, ignoring Ron's words. "Hasn't anyone ever heard of it? It's quite famous."

"Yes, but Luna, it's lost." Sage hated the way Cho spoke down to Luna, shrugging off her input as nothing more than the ramblings of Loony Lovegood. "There's not a person alive today who's seen it."

The surrounding Ravenclaws nod in agreement, but Sage speaks up. "Well, does anyone have anything better to add? 'Cause as I see it, Luna's the only one who has any sort of lead for us."