Marauders' Godson Book 3: Prisoner of Azkaban

Chapter Ten

"Ruby!" Edward and Onyx cried in unison, both of them dropping to the floor beside her. Topaz had turned white.

"Minerva, would you lead the Gryffindors down to the Great Hall?" Dumbledore asked her. "As well as Mr. Malfoy," he added, noticing Draco. "Edward and the triplets should remain with me a moment."

When the teacher, the Gryffindors, and Draco had gone, Dumbledore turned to Snape and Remus. "Severus, would you escort your House back to the Great Hall? And Remus, I'd like you to inform the other teachers what has happened, and tell Pamona and Filius to take their Houses to the Great Hall as well."

The two teachers swept off, Remus giving Ruby a concerned look.

"Professor," Edward said anxiously, "I don't want him to find them."

"They will be safe with the other students," Dumbledore assured him. "Would you carry Ruby down to the Great Hall? I'll send for Madam Pomfrey." He glanced at Topaz, who was shaking now, and Onyx, who was white. "They'll need something for shock."

"Yes, Professor," said Edward, gently picking up the unconcious, pale girl. Then the four of them went down to the Great Hall.

Within twenty minutes, the entire school was huddled in the Great Hall, all looking very confused.

"The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle," Professor Dumbledore said calmly. "I'm afraid that, 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," he said to Percy. "Send word with one of the ghosts."

After a pause, Dumbledore added, "Oh yes, you'll be needing...." He waved his wand twice. The four long tables flew to the edges of the walls and were replaced with hundreds of purple sleeping bags.

"Sleep well," Dumbledore told them, closing the doors behind him.

There was a sudden buzz as the Gryffindors began telling the other three Houses what had happened. Edward quickly found his friends gathered around Ruby, Topaz, and Onyx, who were being looked after by Madam Pomfrey; Ruby was still unconcious.

Percy's voice suddenly rang out. "Everyone into their sleeping bags! Come on, now, no more talking! Lights out in ten minutes!"

"Everyone get a sleeping bag," Edward said quietly. "Hermione, Ron, Draco, would you get one for the triplets, too? Meet back here."

His friends quickly did as told.

"Thanks, Edward," Topaz said quietly. He was still very pale, but the potion Madam Pomfrey had given he and his brother had made them both very sleepy.

"No problem." He went to snag his own sleeping bag.

Edward and his friends gathered around Ruby, whom Madam Pomfrey had put into her own sleeping bag.

"Do you think he's still in the castle?" Hermione worried, glancing at Ruby's still form.

"Professor Dumbledore obviously thinks he might be," Ron answered.

Onyx let out a loud snore, making them all jump. Topaz cast him a faintly jealous look, as if he'd wanted to get to sleep that quickly.

"It's very lucky he picked tonight," Harry said. "The one night we weren't in the tower...."

"I reckon he's lost track of time, being on the run," said Ron. "Didn't realize it was Halloween. Otherwise he'd have come bursting in here."

Hermione, Draco, and Topaz shuddered.