The Blood Traitor || Oc x Oc

Returning to Hogwarts

"I don't recall seeing this on the Marauder's Map," Ron explained as Neville led his friends through the tunnels. 

"That's because it's never existed until now," Neville explained. "The seven secret passageways had been sealed off at the start of the school year. This is the only way in and out, now. The grounds are crawling with dementors and Death Eaters." 

"How bad is it, Neville?" Dante asked anxiously. "With Snape as headmaster, I mean." 

Neville shrugged. "Not too bad. Hardly ever see him. Rarely comes out of his office. It's the Carrows that you need to watch out for." 

Sera furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Carrows?" 

"Yeah, brother and sister. They liked punishments, the Carrows." 

He pointed to the bloody cuts on his face, though he grinned proudly at them. 

"They did that to you?" Hermione asked, alarmed. "Why?" 

"Today's Dark Arts lessons had us practicing the Cruciatus Curse on first-years. I refused, and so did Seamus. Hogwarts has changed. It's not the bright, cheerful place as we once remembered it as." They continued walking through the tunnels,  following Neville's lead. They finally began to slow to a halt. He grinned at them. "Let's have a bit of fun, shall we?" Before anyone could respond, he opened the door and said in a loud voice, "All right, you lot! I've got a bit of a surprise for you!" 

"Not more of Aberforth's cooking, I hope," Seamus joked, trying to lighten up the dark, tense mood. "I'd be surprised if I'd be able to digest it." 

Neville smirked and let Sera and Harry come into view, with Hermione, Ron, and Dante following behind. Seamus was the first to get to his feet. 

"Blimey!" 

Cheers erupted in all directions. The five friends climbed down the ladder, with Seamus helping them down, making sure that they wouldn't fall and embarrass themselves in front of their friends. 

Those who knew the five of them well, immediately went over and hugged them. Sera awkwardly hugged Freya Halliwell, who had tackled her into a tight hug. Sera could hear Neville giving instructions to Nigel. She was surprised by how much Nigel had grown over the years she had known him. 

"Get word to Remus and the others that the twins are back." 

Nigel nodded and scurried off, out of sight. Seconds later, Sera could hear Nigel's excited voice. 

"River, D.A. calling. Do you read? We have a new weather report: the twin lightning strikes have struck! I repeat — the twin lightning strikes have struck!" 

After the excitement had vanished, Neville managed to silence the crowd. 

"All right, you lot. Stand down! Let's not kill them before You-Know-Who gets the chance to!" Everyone settled down. The only thing that could be heard was Nigel's voice as he continued to announce the twins' return over the speaker. "All right, Sera and Harry. What's the plan?" 

Everyone gave the twins eager looks. Sera knew that everyone in the room was willing to do everything they could to prevent Voldemort from overtaking Hogwarts. Finally, Harry spoke up. 

"Okay. There is something that we need to find that may be hidden here in the castle. It can, hopefully, help us defeat You-Know-Who." 

Silence. Neville spoke up. 

"What is it?" 

"We don't know," Sera answered with a shrug of her shoulders. 

"Where is it?" 

"We don't know that, either," Harry answered this time. "Sera and I realize that there's not much to go on." 

"There's nothing to go on," Seamus interrupted, his eyes settling on the twins. 

Harry went quiet. Sera turned to face her brother. 

"Brother? Didn't you say that the thing we're looking for belongs to Ravenclaw house?" 

Harry stared at his sister, alarmed. "Yes. I did say that." 

Sera turned to face the crowd. 

"I think that it might have something to do with Rowena Ravenclaw. It would be small, easy to conceal. Valuable. Does anyone have any sort of ideas of what that could may be?" 

Silence. No one said a word. Finally, Luna spoke. 

"Well, there is the lost diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw." 

Everyone turned to stare at her. Ron, however, looked excited. 

"Oh, bloody hell. Here we go."

Luna looked rather surprised. "The lost diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw? Hasn't anyone heard of it? It's quite famous." 

"Yes," Cho agreed. "But Luna, it's been lost. For centuries, now. Not a witch or wizard today has seen it while they were alive." 

"Excuse me," Ron interrupted rudely. "But could someone please tell me what the bloody hell a diadem is?" 

"It's a kind of crown," Cho answered. "Y'know, like a tiara. It was rumored that it possessed magical abilities to the wearer. To enhance the wisdom from the wearer." 

She was interrupted by quick, darting footsteps. Everyone turned. Sera was quite surprised to see Ginny Weasley standing there. Once Ginny came into view and caught sight of Harry, she came to a halt, shocked. 

"Harry" she murmured quietly. 

Harry only stared at her in shock in return. Sera smirked, knowing that feeling. She has felt it many times before with Dante. 

Ron waved his fingers at her, grinning broadly. 

"Hey, there." 

Ginny continued to ignore him, her eyes still on Sera's brother. Ron got quite annoyed and disappointed by this. She leaned in to Hermione and began to whisper. 

"It's been an entire year since she's seen me. And she acts as though I'm a Frankie first year."

"Got loads of those though, hasn't she?" Seamus smirked at Ron. "It's not you she wants. She only wants Harry." 

Ron scowled at this. "Shut up, Seamus." 

"What is it, Ginny?" Neville asked, breaking the tense silence. 

Ginny came out of it, realizing that all eyes were now on her. She blushed but ignored it. 

"He knows," she declared in a wavering voice. "Snape knows that Seraphina and Harry Potter have been spotted in Hogsmeade."