The Eyes of Graphorns (Professor Sharp x mc)

The Department Of Mysteries

Sharp didn't notice much of the sorting ceremony. He was too busy thinking about his relationship with Elaine. How should he behave towards her now, what would be appropriate? How much closeness would she allow? He clenched his right hand into a fist as he looked over at Elaine. The light from the torches in the great hall bathed her face in amber warmth. Images of the afternoon's events crept into his mind like a dream. For a moment, he caught himself wondering if he had imagined it all or if it had really happened. He felt as if he could still feel her skin on his own, and at the same time it seemed so unreal that it had actually been his hands that had touched her. Elaine looked at the wooden stool where Samuel had just sat down. She smiled and nodded to the boy. When the hat finally announced 'Ravenclaw,' she applauded.

However, Aesop noticed that the confidence on her face didn't seem to match the expression in her eyes. They had a sharp, piercing look that he had rarely seen before. He knew that kind of tension all too well. It was the alertness of an Auror.

When the students and teachers rose after the introductory ceremony to make their way to the dormitories, Sharp also stood up. Before he could go to Elaine and ask her what was going on, she had already hurried over to his seat and pushed a sheet of parchment towards him. Up close, he could now see that her eyes had taken on a sparkle he couldn't interpret. He unfolded the note and began to read. With each line, the sky above the Great Hall seemed to darken a little more.

Dear Ms Hopkins,

We are pleased to inform you that your request regarding the orphanage in Haegel's Ham has been forwarded to the Muggle law enforcement authorities by our contact person.

Furthermore, we would like to inform you that we will not be conducting any further investigations into the Scarborough case, as it was successfully concluded a year ago. The evidence you have presented does not provide sufficient grounds to reopen the investigation and allocate further resources to it.

Please also be advised that you are no longer an active member of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and we kindly ask you to refrain from interfering in the affairs of the Ministry.

We hope you are well.

Gregory Evans

(Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement)

'I told them about the events in Scarborough and Haegel's Ham, and that's all they can come up with? They don't even mention the attacks in Haegel's Ham.'

Her voice trembled. Sharp skimmed through the letter again.

'You contacted the Ministry?' he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

'Aesop, I can't just kidnap a child without reporting it, but...' She interrupted him as he was about to object again. "I sent the letter to an acquaintance who owes me a favour. He's the contact person for Muggle law enforcement.'

She paused for a moment.

'I realise that these children are even less valued in the Muggle world than they are with us, but maybe he can at least arrange for an investigation into the circumstances there. Little has changed since I... since I was there...'

She spoke the last words of the sentence quietly. She sensed that Aesop was looking at her now. He wanted to say something, but he knew that no words he could muster would be enough to make her past experiences any more bearable.

'There's something else I'm worried about,' she continued, changing the subject. 'How did the renegades know where I was? Is there someone at Hogwarts who betrayed me?'

'I've thought about that too. But perhaps we need to look for the answer outside the castle walls.'

Elaine looked up at the enchanted ceiling and watched a crow circling high in the sky as she tried to make sense of Aesop's words.