The Forgotten House

Searching

We arrive in the Headmistress' office and waited until she arrived and she was furious. "YOU THREE HAVE JUST STARTED AT HOGWARTS AND YOU HAVE SOMEHOW ALREADY MANAGED TO GET YOURSELVES INTO DETENTION FOR SKIPPING CLASS AND ENTERING A RESTRICTED AREA DURING CLASS TIME! YOU ARE ALL VERY LUCKY TO STILL BE HERE!"
"It's my fault Professor. I got us lost because I thought I knew a short cut."
"That does not excuse your behaviour Mr Zabini. And Miss Malfoy, I expected better of you and of you Miss Hartford."
"We really are sorry Professor. It won't happen again."
"I should hope not! As punishment, everyone weekend you will meet Mr Filch in the library and you will file all the test papers into class, lesson and pupil name. I expect it done in 2 weeks. Mr Filch's nephew will give you a hand too but you will do most of the work."
"Yes Professor. But what about study time?"
"You should use the time in the library wisely."
We walk wearily and disappointedly out of the Headmistress' office and head to the Great Hall for lunch. "I can't believe it. On our first day we get detention for 2 weeks."
"Technically it's only 4 days because she said weekends."
"Wow. What a genius Willow. What a difference that'll make."
"But that doesn't mean we can't still go to visit Adelaide," I suggest.
"How on earth do you suppose we do that?" Willow adds.
"Well I did hear that Filch's nephew is easily persuaded and I'm sure if Jason taunts him enough he'll do almost anything for us."
"Won't we get onto Filch's bad side?"
"Stop worrying Willow! Filch hardly even acknowledges the fact he has a nephew."

-4 Days Later-
Detention starts today. I have been dreading it all week.
Willow and I meet Jason at the Library entrance. "Good morning girls."
"I don't know if I'd go as far as good Jason but hi," Willow replies with sass.
"Right you three must be the ones helping me sort test papers?" A tall golden haired boy stood boldly in front of us.
"You're definitely not Filch." Willow says, surprised.
"No I am not. I'm his nephew, Peter. He won't be joining us either. He fell ill this morning." He gives a wink and leads us to the back of the library. "Right I will let you work less. Professor Whiteshield won't know that I've let you off and I don't expect her to ever find out."
"Why are you helping us?" I ask, just slightly confused.
"My uncle and his brother only ever cared about punishing the students here and me. I don't think it's fair if I do the same."
The three of us were very surprised but accepted these terms and worked as much as we could until he let us off.
"Hey before we leave can I ask you a favour?" I ask.
"Sure but it depends what it is..."
"We were wondering if you might be able to cover for us tonight? We're planning to go back to where we were when we got caught to investigate some more?"
"Well I can't let you go on your own so I'll meet you there tonight at 11. I've been down that corridor before and that lady in the painting... I think she deserves a dose of social skills."

Jason, Willow and I head back to our common rooms before we are stopped by Willow's brother.
"Lee what do you want now? I'm fine I was stupid you don't need to keep following me," Willow rolls her eyes at her brother but he doesn't seem to care.
"Yeah whatever Will. I need to talk to you guys about..." He pauses. He looks at Jason and pulls a face. "What is he doing here."
"I got them into this mess and so I'm in detention too."
"YOU GOT MY LITTLE SISTER INTO DETENTION! THIS IS HER FIRST YEAR YOU IDIOT! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?"
"LIAM! Calm down! He tried to take the blame but Professor Whiteshield didn't want to hear it. I wanted to come too. I could've just stayed where I was. Don't blame him."
"Fine. Does he know about the table and the room then?"
"Yes."
"Then here's what I found. I was looking at some old books on the Hogwarts history and in most of them, the contents page is missing. Except this one," He pulls out a huge leather bound book with gold writing on the front. "Its the history of the house and the contents isn't ripped. The fifth chapter is called Foxtail. I have no idea what it means but I think its something."
"What did you get in the chapter?"
"I got through the first page but the rest is crossed out. All I got was Felix Foxtail and his favourite subject and thing to study was Astronomy."
"That would explain why we found the dormitory and Adelaide in the astronomy tower!" We all suddenly realised what this could mean.
"There is a 5th house then isn't there?" I ask excitedly.
"Seems that way. I have to come with you if you're going there tonight. I want to help."

It starts to darken outside and I know that the time is almost here. Willow and I hang around in the common room a bit longer until everyone has gone and head down the stairs once again to wait outside the Great Hall for the others. Liam joins us shortly with wand in hand and Jason shows up not long after. Last to come and meet us is Peter.
"You guys ready?" Peter asks. Then he notices Liam. "Who's joining us?"
"This is my brother Liam. He insisted."
"Well I guess 1 extra doesn't hurt."
We make our way out into the chilly dark night on an actual short cut that Peter shows us. We arrive no less than 5 minutes later.
"Do you know how far along the corridor the portrait is?"
"Not far. She's the only one here so we could just call for her." So that's exactly what I do, "Adelaide! Adelaide!"
The others shh me in unison.
"Ooo!! People!! Are you those sweet little first years who snuck in here the other day?" Adelaide replies in the same elegant voice.
"Yes yes we are. Where are you?"
"Oh yay!! I am just 3 frames along."
We find her and she grins. Her auburn hair framing her face just as well as the frame around her.
"Well come in children come in!! And I see you brought friends!! MARVELLOUS!!"
"She is rather lonely isn't she?" We all chuckle and see what we can find amongst the layers of dust.
There are old books and papers all slightly damn and a few with spots of mould. Liam sits on the dusty sofa and sees what he can decipher from the old language the papers are written in. Jason lifts up one of the rugs and we notice small carvings of foxes within the stone tiles.
"Do you think this is the symbol for the house? It would make sense. Liam and Adelaide did say something about Felix Foxtail," We all exchange thoughtful looks and know that we must do whatever we can to figure out what is going on.