The Threads That Bind Us

Chapter 18

Ultimately, the six friends decided to inform Professor Dumbledore of the evening's events, as they agreed it would be dangerous to proceed forward on their own, and it was out of their hands. The situation was serious and it was crucial that it was taken care of properly.

Because of their honesty, Dumbledore had decided to refrain from punishment. But he said that next time there would have to be consequences because it was inappropriate behavior. He also made them swear to secrecy. The events from the evening before could never be recounted to another soul.

Fidelity and Ava resigned the map and pedant to Dumbledore and he thanked them all for their good work. He was not angry with them, but as Headmaster it was his duty to ensure that his students were safe and that nothing like that would happen again.

It was Saturday, and the following day, students would be heading home for the winter holidays, a much-anticipated break from the bustle of school.

Fidelity, Ava, Josh, Penny, Cameron, and Noah sat under the beech tree near the lake, bundled in scarves and blankets, the icy wind nipping at their noses. Noah had an arm around Fidelity, pulling her closer to keep her warm as they huddled around the enchanted flame, which crackled in the center of their circle.

Penny broke the quiet first, her eyes fixed on the flames. "I still can't believe we went to Dumbledore. Part of me thought he'd have us scrubbing cauldrons for a month."

Cameron chuckled, pulling his scarf tighter. "You? Scrubbing cauldrons? That would be something."

Penny shot him a playful glare. "Hey, it wasn't just my idea. We all agreed it was too dangerous to handle on our own."

Fidelity shifted, leaning a little closer to Noah. "We did the right thing," she said quietly. "Dumbledore wasn't mad-more relieved, I think. But we can't mess up like that again. Next time..."

"Next time, we'll be stuck with Filch and his mop," Josh added, earning a round of nods.

Ava sighed, brushing a bit of snow off her lap. "Well, at least it's over. The pendant, the map... they're out of our hands now."

Noah, who had been mostly quiet, finally spoke up. "I think we made the right call. Dumbledore knows what he's doing. We would've been in way over our heads."

Fidelity's friends glanced at him. It was the first time he'd really offered his opinion in a casual setting, but his words seemed to resonate. Penny and Ava exchanged looks, clearly warming up to the fact that Noah wasn't just the stoic Keeper from Slytherin anymore-he was part of their group.

The conversation hit a brief pause before Ava, with a glint of mischief in her eyes, leaned toward Noah. "So, Noah, what's it like hanging with people who actually smile once in a while?"

Noah chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm adjusting. Smiling is... a new concept for me," he joked.

"Oh, don't worry," Penny jumped in, smirking. "We'll have you grinning like a madman by the end of the day. Fidi's got that effect on people."

Fidelity shot her a look, blushing slightly. "Penny, stop."

"No, really!" Josh added, leaning back with a grin. "You should've seen me before I met her-stone-cold. No emotion. Now look at me. Practically a ray of sunshine."

Noah glanced over at Fidelity with an amused smile. "Is that your secret power? Turning people into happy-go-lucky rays of sunshine?"

"Oh, you're not safe," Cameron chimed in. "Once Fidi's around, there's no going back."

Fidelity rolled her eyes but laughed along with the group. "Okay, that's enough. I'm not a walking charm."

"Not yet, anyway," Penny teased. "But give her a minute. You'll be laughing like the rest of us soon enough."