Empty Gold • d.meadowes

-34-

It was the last choir practice for the graduation ceremony.

There have been only a few practices due to the exam pressure, and the performers were doubtful about their performance. But Professor Flitwick gave a heartfelt speech wherein he assured them that they would stun the crowd and that he was proud to be their teacher. He even went a little teary eyed as he said goodbye to the seventh years and wished them all the best for their futures.

The choir members dispersed and went on their own way. Dorcas stood by the door and waited for Leigh to join her, which he did a minute later. "Hey, how are you feeling?" he asked with a grin.

Dorcas frowned in confusion. "What do you mean? I'm not sick."

He laughed at her answer. "I mean how you are you feeling in general? About graduation, about leaving Hogwarts?"

She shrugged and linked their arms together before making their way out of the Great Hall. "To be honest, I'm not really feeling anything. I used to think I'd bawl my eyes out, but I'm kind of … empty. I guess the gravity of the situation hasn't hit me yet." She looked at him with a playful smile. "Are you going to miss me?"

"Am I supposed to?" he teased, earning a smack on his arm.

"Are you busy? Let's walk."

Dorcas didn't have much to do now. She was done with most of her revision, and she didn't want to cram her head with just a few days left before the beginning of the exams. Besides, with the horribly gloomy air in the castle, she found it difficult to stay inside for long; she would start to suffocate.

They went out to the Hogwarts grounds. It looked particularly beautiful that morning, with the warm sun blessing the grass and the trees with its light. The air was much cooler than it was inside the castle and she inhaled deeply. She could almost hear her lungs thanking her for the fresh air.

"You're spending summer at my place," she said, "you remember that, don't you?"

Leigh nodded. His eyes flitted around the grounds, like a fly buzzing through the air. He was nervous.

Dorcas couldn't blame him. Ever since that attack on Hogsmeade, everyone has been on edge. Even though Dumbledore has assured them, multiple times, that Hogwarts was protected and that the death eaters would never find a way inside, he couldn't do much to omit the fear that was growing day by day. A few students have even been taken away from school by their parents after the news spread.

The protection around Hogsmeade has been strengthened personally by Dumbledore, and a few guards have been stationed around the village to keep a lookout night and day. Of course, it didn't do much to ease the tension, but at least there would be someone experienced to fight back any intruders.

Dorcas gripped his arms, giving a reassuring squeeze. "I'll introduce you to my step brother," she said. "He starts Hogwarts this September, and since I won't be here, I'm passing on my duties to you. If you're up for it, of course."

"Of course I'm up for it," he said with a grin. "My brother hounds me all day. I'd love to have a younger brother to hound on myself."

"Hey, do you want the job or not?" she asked, brandishing her finger in front of his face.

"I do, I do."

A girl, probably a first or second year, came up to Dorcas just then and handed her a small piece of parchment. "From Professor Dumbledore," she said and ran away.

With a frown, she unfolded the paper. In it, was written a small note in neat handwriting.

Meet me in my office. Destroy this note.