Dark Wizard Collector: A Hogwarts Fanfiction

Chapter 64

At dinner, I conversed with professors Slughorn and Sprout, but all the while turmoil boiled within my chest. In a matter of hours, I was to lure the very toxic Professor Alduin to Voldemort. I hated the predicament I was caught within, but it was created by my own doing. Patrolling the halls around ten-o'clock, a shuffling noise reached my ears and I followed the sound to find Sirius and James stalking me through the castle.

"What are you two doing out of bed?" I hissed and approached the rebels.

Sirius' grey eyes looked up to me as he spoke with great concern. "Miss Zeria, I'm sorry for being such a git towards you this year, but there's a professor I detest more than you, and it's Alduin." The child stopped to clear his throat and received an elbow in the ribs from his friend to continue his confession. "James and I were concerned for you when we saw Professor Alduin take you from the library. We wanted to make sure you were alright."

"So you two do have hearts?" I smirked and the children exchanged dubious glances. "I appreciate your concern, but Professor Alduin and I are on very friendly terms with each other."

"So you are snogging him?!" Sirius gasped in horror and scrunched his nose in disgust.

I laughed and leaned down to meet the two boys' faces. "That's right." I smirked, relishing the aghast faces of the children. "The old man and I snog every night."

"Yuck!" James cringed.

Giggling, I mussed his unruly, dark hair. "You don't know that half of what adults do." I winked and Sirius blushed. "You've been spying on me?" I knew the face of a sneaky child quite well.

"We were spying on Snivellus, but you happened to be there; and then, well we thought we could see what else you knew about the Dark Arts." Sirius shrugged and narrowed his eyes at James.

"Who's Snivellus?" I asked, but a second later my mind understood the insulting name. "Hold a minute, spying on a staff member is one thing, but bullying is another. I want both of you to stop whatever cruelties you have inflicted upon Severus Snape."

"Got a soft spot for him, eh?" James chuckled and I stared menacingly at his hazel eyes.

"He's like a little brother to me." I growled and straightened my posture. "I am half inclined to take fifty points from Gryffindor House, because you two are lurking about the castle when you should be in bed." The little faces dropped sadly as I grabbed them by their shoulders and led them to the Portrait of the Fat Lady. "No more spying or bullying from either of you, understand?" I warned them before allowing them to escape into their Common Room. "Your final exams are getting closer and closer every day; I suggest that you study with Remus and Lily. Leave Severus alone and I won't tell your professors that you need more homework." My threatening was enough to silence the boys and I was able to return to my watch.

The clock struck eleven and I switched watches with Professor Busterforth. "Any trouble?" The chubby man asked and I shook my head.

"Not at all." I lied. "Oh. Bertram; I still haven't found any sign of anyone who would have killed the grey owl in the Owlery. But I believe we can notify Headmaster Dumbledore that the school is under no serious threats. It seems that whoever killed the owl is gone, because they have not struck again."

"Thank you, Miss Zeria. I will tell Dumbledore your findings. I am sorry to hear about your owl. I heard from Minerva that he passed away suddenly a few nights ago." The short man shifted uneasily in his shoes and I looked to the ground.

"Yes. It was sad business. Avenger was an old owl. Good night." I spun around and headed to the Stone Circle where I was scheduled to meet Professor Aludin.

We kept silent as I led him away from the castle and toward the Dark Forest. "Where are you taking me?" The man's inquiry was something I prepared myself to answer during my hour of guarding the halls.

A smile played on my mouth as I walked with my lit wand deeper into the forest. "I thought maybe we could share a moment before I show you where Voldemort hides."

We reached a small clearing near my favorite lake hidden within the forest, and the man spoke. "You think I'm going to kill you when we find him?"

My glance was affirmation enough to the man's question. "I hope you know finding a reliable source who knew where he has been residing was quite a chore."

"A chore you were good at though." Professor Alduin smirked and took my hand.

"I did not say I enjoyed it." I sat down on a moss bed and unlaced my shoes so I could let my feet hang over the bank and into the water.

"We both have had to do things we do not enjoy." Alduin sat down next to me and his fingers methodically collected my skirt. "But I hope to enjoy myself now."

"I'm afraid that will never happen, Auror."