Trapped in a Musical | ongoing

attention & nerves

HEADMASTERS' OFFICE - 2ND SEPTEMBER

"Narcissa are you sure you came through a secret passageway to enter the school," quizzed Dumbledore. Narcissa sighed in exasperation. 

"This is the 4th time you've asked!" She harrumphed in annoyance, "Why don't you believe me?"

The teachers looked at each other sensing Narcissa's upset. Snape put his hand on Narcissa's shoulders.

"It's not that we don't believe you Narcissa. It's just that..." He spotted Hermione staring at the scene, "What were you doing with Miss Granger?"

"Hermione? I was teaching her how to fly and play quidditch, of course!" Narcissa answered. Professor McGonagall's face lighted up as she turned to Hermione.

"You're training for Quidditch?" she asked joyfully, "We'll talk later," She placed her focus back on Narcissa, "Mrs Malfoy the reason we are sceptical of how you got into here is for the simple fact that we sealed up every single secret passage into the school. Therefore it should have been impossible for you to come in," she explained. Everyone turned to Narcissa, curiosity flickering in all their eyes. The blonde simply laughed. and laughed. and laughed.

"Could you tell us what's so funny?" asked Snape, growing irritated. Narcissa attempted to calm down, holding onto Hermione's shoulder.

Everyone stared at her as another round of laughter came over her. Snape rolled his eyes.

"Okay, Okay! I'm sorry, Severus " Narcissa straightened, "I honestly thought you were joking. I expected you all to know better. Especially you, Dumbledore," She leaned in and gestured for everyone to lean in with her. Hermione, Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, Sprout and Flitwick all leaned into her, waiting to hear what she had to say.

"...The castle...is alive!" she whispered seriously. She laid back into her seat, arms crossed and looking extremely proud of herself. Everyone stared at Narcissa in confusion except Dumbledore. He sat in his chair, a grave look in his eye.

"Narcissa, this is not a joke," Snape snapped. Dumbledore stroked his beard.

"No, Severus. She's being dead serious," Dumbledore stood, "There are many secrets of the school, some I don't even know about. What makes you think the castle is alive Narcissa?"

Narcissa scoffed, "This school was found when? Around 900 A.D? The castle has been soaked with so much magic!  Do we even know who actually built the school? Draco also told me about how the school rejected Dolores Umbridge. As in locked her out of the Headmasters' office. How? This castle is alive. And it wants to keep its secret passages,"

Everyone stared at her in shock.

"Classic Cissy, smart as ever," giggled Bellatrix's voice in Hermione's head.

"Thank you, Narcissa," Dumbledore said in a grave voice, "You may now lead us to where you came through. So we can seal it up for now," he turned to Hermione, "You may return to class, Hermione," Hermione stood up quickly and left the office but on her way out she heard Narcissa's warning.

"It's not going to work. If Hogwarts wants its passages, it's going to have its passages. Not even you can stop that Albus. Hogwarts wants the Death Eaters to come in!"

Hermione's eyes widened as she heard the last line and sprinted out of the office, heading back to class.

ENTRANCE HALL -  4:09PM

"I haven't spoken to Hermione all day!" complained Ginny to her fellow Gryffindors. Lessons had finished for the day and the 'core' Gryffindors were sitting on the bottom of the stairs, leaving everyone to step over them as they climbed the stairs. This resulted in very dirty looks from the rest of their peers.