The Clockwork Locket || SIRIUS BLACK

The House of Alderfair

The sun dazzled from its high place in the sky as the Hogwarts Express trundled through the Scottish countryside, the new green of spring flashing by the compartment windows where Cassie sat with Marlene, Lily, and Alice. The three girls had listened in rapt silence as Cassie explained what had happened with Moaning Myrtle and her meeting with Miranda, and the silence stretched on for several moments after she had finished her recount.

"I can't believe Miranda's ghost has been at Hogwarts this whole time," Lily said finally, shaking her head. "How come we've never seen her?"

"Myrtle said she usually stayed away from the castle," Cassie said. "She must've been guarding the gauntlet, keeping out of sight in case anyone recognized her and found out where it was hidden."

"And she said the gauntlet was at the bottom of a well?" asked Alice. "In the Forbidden Forest?"

Cassie nodded. "The Thief who cursed the gauntlet in the first place had been the guardian of the forest before he was killed by Gryffindor, and all the dreams I've had have connected to the forest in some way."

"Carlisle was looking for something in the forest," Marlene recalled, looking uncharacteristically solemn.

"You just need to be careful, Cassie," Lily implored. "This is all starting to sound so dangerous."

"Which is why we're getting Dumbledore involved as soon as we find the gauntlet," Cassie said firmly. "Dumbledore's the most powerful wizard in centuries; even Voldemort fears him."

The three girls shuddered at the name, but Cassie was done being scared. Voldemort had picked the wrong family to threaten this time.

"You-Know-Who is powerful, too," Marlene said, her blue eyes wide and anxious.

"He can't touch me at Hogwarts," Cassie pointed out, though she was acutely aware that she would not have the school's protection while she was away at home for the holiday. She could only hope that the Dark Lord wouldn't feel the need to ambush her again.

"Lily's right, though," Alice said. "Are you sure you shouldn't just let Dumbledore find the gauntlet?"

Cassie was already shaking her head before her friend had even finished speaking.

"If Will wanted Dumbledore to find the object, he would've given him the locket," she said. "I had dreams about Miranda before I even knew the gauntlet was what we were looking for. I'm the one who has to get it."

"I was afraid you were going to say that," Lily said, sighing. "And I suppose the Marauders are going to help you?"

"They're my friends too," she said, and there was a long moment where both girls stared at each other, unwilling to back down.

"Let it go, Lily," Alice said, raising her eyebrows when both girls turned to stare at her instead. She directed her next sentence to Cassie. "We're with you too, Cass. We'll help you in any way we can."

Marlene voiced her agreement, and though Lily seemed miffed at having been chided, she nodded her consent to Cassie, her green eyes blazing with determination. Cassie's heart swelled, close to bursting at their willingness and loyalty despite the certain danger ahead of them.

"Thank you," she said, oddly choked. "If there's anything I need, I'll make sure to come to you."

The four girls clasped hands, shaking on their promise, though the moment was shattered when something hit their compartment door with a loud thump, causing them to yelp and leap back into their seats.

They looked to the door and saw James with his face pressed against the window, his features flattened against the glass with his spectacles askew and his breath fogging the surface, making faces at them from the corridor.