Hogwarts School Years: Year 3

Theories, Black Cats and Found

Jennifer’s POV 

I’m just about to finish eating the last of my rice krispie from lunch as Professor Dumbledore walks up to the podium in the front. This can’t be good...It’s never been good these days...Wait, is this about Liza? She’s been gone for a week now. Maybe Professor McGonagall really couldn’t find her.

“Good afternoon everyone. As much as I’d like to deliver good news over your lunch break, it seems that I can’t.”

The room goes silent. Everyone, maybe besides the first-years, know that when Professor Dumbledore speaks like that, it’s something serious. He continues to speak.

“As some of the third-years have noticed, Liza Crawford, one of the Slytherins students has been missing for about a week now. We have looked into it and it seems she hasn’t just gone home for personal reasons. It appears to be a disappearance. I know this may be frightening for some of you but I wish for you all to take this matter seriously. We don’t know how she has disappeared but there’s a chance that it could be kidnap. Everyone must take the safety precautions very seriously now that we know that someone might have gotten into the school. Does everyone understand that?”

Everyone nods and no one speaks. They all listen for what our headmaster has to say next.

“Good. We will be increasing security around Hogwarts and later today, a couple of the Auror’s from the Ministry of Magic will arrive to keep guard of the place. For now, the Hogsmeade trips and Quidditch haven’t been canceled but if this happens again, which I wish not to, they will be canceled. We will keep the same rules as I have said at the beginning of the year. The point I would like to remind you of is to have your wands at all times as it might save you if someone is ever to attack you. Professor Harris will also be teaching you the Shield Charm if you don’t already know. I don’t want everyone to worry but I want you to be aware that this might happen. That is all. You may continue to your classes.” He steps down from the podium and walks out of the room. I notice Professor McGonagall walk out after him.

This isn’t good...It’s official, she’s been kidnapped. I start to hear a lot of talking around the room.

“Do you think it’s the guy from the newspaper? What was his name again?” I hear from the Gryffindor table.

“Does this have anything to do with the Sorting Hat’s song?” says someone from behind me.

Even Bianca begins to ask. “So what’s the theory you guys have come up with this time.”

“Theory?” I say.

“Well, you always seem to know a lot about these things.” she replies.

“I guess so...I wish I didn’t. My life would be so much easier.” I say.

“Yeah, I guess I would think that too if I were you. So any ideas?” she says.

“We haven’t found much. It’s just the obvious stuff. The Sorting Hat’s song and William’s escape. The only thing we have is that Lewis kind of saw her disappear.”

“What do you mean kind of?” she asks.

“He turned the corner and she was gone. There was also no way she just left somehow from there.” I reply.

“Well it looks like you haven’t found much this time.” she says. She looks at her watch. “It’s time for our next class. Let’s go.”

“Okay,” I reply as I pick up my bag and walk after her.

***

I walk to Herbology and just when I’m about ten metres away from the greenhouses, I see a flash of black in the corner of my eye. I look in that direction but don’t see anything. That’s weird...Oh well, I guess I’m just seeing things.