𝕬 𝕷𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝕳𝖊𝖎𝖗 𝕽𝖎𝖘𝖊𝖘 | 𝑇𝑜𝑚 𝑅𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 |

Chapter 13- Let the Rain Fall

"Albus!—Ah, there you are. I've rounded up at least five more Hufflepuffs and three Ravenclaw second years—do you have any clue as to what's going on tonight?"

Professor Horace Slughorn had appeared in the newly lit doorway, horribly out of breath and wheezing despite the fact that the dungeons were downstairs, not up. It was well past two in the morning, and he'd been running around the castle for at least a full hour now. Dumbledore had woken him telling him there were students out of bed after hours, but had not properly prepared him for the utter chaos of having the entirety of the second year class out on a rampage. Not only were they operating maliciously against the rules, they were actively creating mayhem and mischief for him to clean up. Clearly attempting to distract him and every other teacher, but the exact reason was yet to be determined.

"Not exactly, but I believe our old houses have been up to something. I've had a particular hunch all year." Dumbledore indicated that Slughorn ought to look down, so he did. All the Gryffindors and Slytherin second years were curled up on the dungeon floor at his feet. Even Frankie, who had been sent away some time ago now to keep her out of trouble, had seemingly rejoined them through magic she wasn't supposed to have. Rodger Day was also there for some odd reason. Slughorn somehow didn't grow more questions at the scene, but was able to piece together everything Dumbledore was inferring in his silence.

"Of course you did..." Slughorn sighed. He'd known Albus Dumbledore for too long, clearly. As usual the situation had gotten out of hand and, instead of using his great power to stop disaster, he seemed to welcome it. Come what may. Slughorn still could not comprehend how he lived like that for so many years now. "My word, Albus—Did you really have to stun them though? I simply sent the others off to bed. I thought it best we handle this in the morning."

"A few of them ought to have woken up by now. It was only a light stun..." Dumbledore replied, as if that justified any of his actions. Slughorn sighed again because this insufferable man did not seem to hear the problem in this statement. Slughorn bent over to check on them. They were breathing at least. However, unlike the other kids causing mischief, there was clearly something amiss with them. "I suppose they gravely needed the rest. Their shenanigans have clearly been taxing."

"The Minister will be here soon to fetch her no doubt..." Slughorn added, looking down particularly at Frankie. She seemed to be at peace for the first time all year. Surely they had solved it. There was no physical signs of her regaining her power, but something felt complete in her aura. She was finally back where she belonged. However, it could not last. "...and once he arrives, it'll be absolute hell trying to cover all this up. We'll never get any clear answers out of them, you know. They've all become so fiercely loyal to each other."

"Like we were?" Dumbledore smiled.

"Like we were..." Slughorn added, unable to hide a boyish smile of his own. While he never was brave enough to plunder the castle mysteries, the old Order of the Heirs had always confided in him anyway. He looked down at them again. The fault wasn't all Dumbledore's or Zell Gaunt's. He ought to take some of the blame as well for not stopping them. "I'm sorry, Albus. They assured me they werent going to attempt it. While I knew they were lying through their teeth at the time, I never imagined they would get this far."

"They really are something quite unique." Dumbledore could not hide his amazement to find they had made it to the end at such a young age. Their powers individually were a marvel, but together they formed something truly amazing.

"What are we going to do about this mess?" Slughorn stated, a little more accusatory in tone. Dumbledore had always been good at sweeping chaos underneath the rug, but something about this particular incident seemed like it would take more power to conceal. "The usual?—It'll be harder to pull off with such a large group..."