Transfixed: A Draco Malfoy Fanfiction

Chapter 12

My knees buckled underneath me. I stumbled, Harry grabbing my arm and pulling me upright. I felt my whole body break out into a sweat. Harry and Hermione both looked at me, seeing if I was going to say anything, but I couldn't speak. I couldn't think.

Cassady was missing. I couldn't comprehend it. Harry and Hermione both took me by the arm and led me to Dumbledore's office. I felt like the world was spinning around me, and I couldn't see straight. We burst into Dumbledore's office without knocking, and we were shocked to see that Cornelius Fudge, other workers from the Ministry of Magic, and all the Hogwarts professors were there as well, all of them turning to look at us as we barged in. Dumbledore immediately came up to us, and led me to a chair to sit down in. All the adults looked at each other, trying to find the words to explain to me what had happened. Dumbledore seemed to take a deep breath before he turned to me.

"Can someone explain what is going on?" I said, my voice weak and cracking. I felt tears threaten my vision, but I blinked them away. I didn't have time for that. Hermione came and stood next to me with her arms crossed.

"Miss. Cliffton, it was reported at 6:23 this evening by fellow students Luna Lovegood and Cho Chang that Cassady had not been seen for two days by any of the fellow Ravenclaws. They said that she had been very preoccupied by something, but could not think of any reason why she should be hiding. The staff and I have conducted a very thorough search of the castle, and she has been unable to be found. Do you have any idea of her whereabouts?"

I opened my mouth to say that I didn't, but found it hard to actually say anything. I had never felt more negligent. I should've known exactly where she was. I should've known exactly what she had been preoccupied with. But I didn't. I didn't know anything.

"No," I replied, looking down. "No, I don't," I whispered, barely audible. Dumbledore looked at me for a moment, then nodded gravely. He turned to look at the other adults in the room.

"Cornelius, please inform the muggle prime minister that a girl has been taken," Dumbledore instructed. Fudge nodded, scribbling onto a notepad with a quill. "Professor McGonagall, Miss. Cliffton is not to be left alone at any time. She must either be with a teacher, or Miss. Granger and Mr. Potter. We don't know if whoever took Cassady is interested in her as well." McGonnagall nodded, looking at me with a pitiful expression.

Dumbledore turned to one of the ministry employees who I didn't recognize. "Bartholomew, we need to increase the size of the aurors guarding the school by double." Bartholomew nodded, and looked at me with a grim face. I shuddered. Bartholomew didn't seem like the friendliest chap. "Alright, now that we have our plans in order, you all may go," Dumbledore said, escorting the ministry employees and teachers to the door.

After the room was cleared, Dumbledore finally pivoted to look at Hermione and I. "Audrey," Dumbledore started, his voice low. "Is there anything you wish to tell me about your father?" I stiffened, thinking back to the strange letters he sent earlier in the year. I glanced at Hermione, and could tell that she wanted me to tell him. I shuffled in my seat.

"Well," I mumbled. "Earlier in the year, my dad did send me quite a few letters. I don't know why."

"What did they say?" Dumbledore asked, leaning close to me. I fidgeted, trying to fight the tears that were coming back.

"I don't really remember," I croaked. "But they were strange."

"Do you still have them in your possession?" Dumbledore grumbled, his brow furrowed, his face inches from mine. I let out a small whimper.

"Yes," I whispered.

"I will need to take them," Dumbledore said shortly, standing up abruptly. "You will bring them to me at once. Miss. Granger, go with her," Dumbledore said, looking down at the papers on his desk.