Lives Collide, Harm(fully)(lessly)

Chapter 8

Nico was in this darkened state for what seemed like forever. He focused on his grades to stop himself from thinking, read books to stop himself from wallowing in self pity. The shadows responded too easily and the stares he got grew darker. When the first trip to Hogsmeade finally came up, the Golden Trio took it upon themselves to get him out of his slump.

Harry couldn't go, but Ron and Hermione were sure to drag Nico down to breakfast that morning.

"If you don't go," Ron had finally warned, "I'll tell mum. She'll be here faster than you give her credit for."

With no care left to fight them on it, Nico followed them to the village. It was something different to be out in the fresh air, the cold chill of October stinging his pale face. He walked Anubis along beside them, actually had fun between the shops. He took in the happiness of the wizarding world as much as he could.

That night, however, the wizarding world once again became more than a happy refuge in his mind.

Nico laid with Harry, Hermione, and Ron in the corner of the Great Hall, petting Anubis' head as they whispered to one another.

"Do you think Black's still in the castle?" Hermione asked.

"Dumbledore obviously thinks he might be," Ron said.

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

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

Nico rolled his eyes. "Yeah, but if it was really him, how'd he get in? Dementors are at the borders, you can't apart in Hogwarts..." He frowned. "It better not be some idiot First Year with a prank."

"I don't think that's it," Hermione stressed. "The Fat Lady wouldn't be hiding if it was."

"The lights are going out now!" Percy shouted. "I want everyone in their sleeping bags and no more talking!"

Nico made a face at Ron. "Why's he got to be so frustrating?"

"The world's been wondering that since the day he was born," Ron agreed.

Nico laid there as the lights went out but didn't even bother trying to sleep. The last thing he needed was a nightmare in front of the whole school, and the rare possibility that Black could attack again...

After hours of silence, whispers finally broke through.

"Any sign of him, Professor?" Percy asked.

"No. All well here?" Dumbledore answered.

"Everything under control, sir."

"Good. There's no point moving them all now. I've found a temporary guardian for the Gryffindor portrait hole. You'll be able to move them back in tomorrow."

"And the Fat Lady, sir?"

"Hiding in a map of Argyllshire on the second floor. Apparently she refused to let Black in without the password, so he attacked. She's still very distressed, but once she's calmed down, I'll have Mr. Filch restore her."

Snape's voice came, then. "Headmaster? The whole of the third floor has been searched. He's not there. And Filch has done the dungeons; nothing there either."

"What about the Astronomy tower? Professor Trelawney's room? The Owlery?"

"All searched..."

"Very well, Severus. I didn't really expect Black to linger."