unforeseen [h.p.]

PAGE 394

Alex would've liked to think that everyone would remain calm after Dumbledore sent the Gryffindors back to the Great Hall, but that's not what happened. A majority of students were scared shitless. The minority being Cat, who was quite upset Toothless would be going without food for tonight rather than the fact that a mass murderer had entered the school.

"This is bloody ridiculous! Is Sirius Black going to feed my cat? Is Dumbledore going to feed my cat?"

Gemma had gone pale and was still as white as a sheet once they arrived in the Great Hall. Blake kept making horrible puns, which only seemed to agitate Gemma more.

"Things have gotten pretty Sirius now."

"Blake Oliver, this is no time for your stupid puns. This is serious!"

"That's what I said-- Ow! Gem, that hurt!"

"That was the goal!"

Alex had yet to say anything. What was she to do, make casual conversation with everyone else and pretend Black wasn't a threat to her? She hasn't ever felt so terrified.

Ten minutes later they were joined by the rest of the Houses, everyone looking extremely confused.

"The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle," Dumbledore told them. "For your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Girl in charge. Any disturbance should be reported to me immediately."

Professor Dumbledore paused, about to leave the hall, and said, "Oh, yes, you'll be needing. . ."

With a wave of his wand, the long tables flew to the end edges of the hall, and the floor was covered with hundreds of purple sleeping bags.

"Sleep well," said Professor Dumbledore, closing the door behind him.

The hall immediately began to buzz excitedly; the Gryffindors were telling the rest of the school what had just happened.

Alex began to search for Harry in the sea of students, figuring maybe he was silently freaking out as much as she was, when she caught of glimpse of familiar white blond hair at the other end of the Great Hall. With a sudden surge of determination, she got up and started making her way towards the Slytherins.

"Alex, where are you going?" Blake called after her.

"I'll be back."

Alex wasn't quite sure what she was going to do when she got over to Draco Malfoy, but it was too late to turn back now, the Slytherins had already noticed her approaching.

Of course, she wasn't greeted kindly, everyone regarding her with insolent glares. The only person who hadn't noticed her presence was the very person she came to speak to.

"Gonna borrow him for a moment," was all she said before grabbing Malfoy's 'uninjured' arm and dragging him over to a secluded corner of the hall.

He wasn't very pleased at that. "What the hell? Who-- Oh, it's you, Chamberlain."

"What? Disappointed Black didn't finish me off?"

He looked at her like he had no clue what she was saying. "What are you--" His face suddenly lit up in realization. "Hold on, you did know what I was talking about that afternoon in Potions."

"Of course I knew what you were talking about, you knob scrot!" Alex exclaimed. "What I want to know is how you knew. How'd you find out? Who told you?"

"You ask so many questions," he said, rolling his eyes. "Why should I tell you anything?"

"It is my business."