Star Crossed Witch: Book Three

Visit to Trelawney

I searched the surrounding paintings, faintly aware of the mass of Gryffindors gathering behind me, searching for the Fat Lady but could not find her. Off in the distance I heard Percy shouting, “Move aside! Let me through, I’m head boy!”

                He shoves me aside, to approach the painting and I am caught by Neville who had made his way to the front of the crowd with Harry, Hermione and Ron. “Loretta! Are you ok? What happened?” Neville asked as he tried to steady me.

                “Th-thank y-you for catching me. I’m-I’m ok, but not sure what happened.” I stuttered as I held onto his arm to keep upright. I wasn’t sure what was going on but I felt really weak and almost sick, my knees were weak and my stomach was threatening to throw up my dinner.

                Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall made their way through the crowded staircase, quickly followed by Filch, “Quickly gather the ghosts and have them search every painting in the castle. We need to find her!” Dumbledore ordered, but Filch just stood there pointing.

                Everyone followed his finger to a painting of an African landscape holding a hippo in the middle of the sparse forest background, “No need Headmaster, she’s there.” Quickly everyone surged forward, to get a better look and sure enough the Fat Lady poked her head out from behind the hippo.

                She was clearly distraught and trembling, “Headmaster! You’re here! He’s here! The one they all talk about…in the castle. He was dragging the poor Saint girl by her robes!”

                “Dear sweet lady, who are you talking about? Who was carrying Miss Saint?” Dumbledore asked as whispers started passing the news from the front to the back of the group. Everyone close enough started staring at me, I tried to move into the crowd unnoticed but it was too late to hide from the attention. Dumbledore, half-turned to look me over trying to make sure I was alright.

                “Sirius Black! He dropped the girl and demanded entrance, but when I denied him he clawed at my painting. I’m sorry I didn’t see which way he went.” She said still trembling but moving into a more calmed state of shock.

                “All students to the Great Hall now! Filch, send word with the ghosts to round up all the students and teachers to there. We will begin our search from there, and inform the Dementors to search the grounds!” We all turned and waited as those now ahead of us started filing down the stairs as he took off down the corridor.

                As the group started moving Professor Dumbledore put his hand on my shoulder and held me back, “Miss Saint a word?”

                I carefully turned around, “Y-yes Professor?” I was still weak and slightly teetering on my feet without Neville there to hold me up. I went to turn around and grab Neville’s hand but it was too late he was too far away and I lost my balance and started to fall again.

                “Miss Saint! Minerva, go quickly and get Madam Pomfrey. I’ll take her to the Great Hall.” He gently picked me up and started walking down the stairs, taking care not to bump into the other students. I weakly held onto his arm and hoped I wouldn’t fall, I knew he wouldn’t drop me but I was so disoriented I thought I might fall anyway.

                Finally arriving in the Great Hall, he handed me over to another teacher long enough to wave his wand. He moved the tables to the sides of the hall and produced sleeping bags and pillows for the students, then took me back in his arms and found an open space to lay me on the floor while waiting for Madam Pomfrey.