Dodging a Bludger

Where'd Ya Go, Beatrice?

Sarah slept late on Saturday morning. She'd planned to have breakfast with her friends before they went to Hogsmeade, so she dressed in a hurry and rushed to the Great Hall.

"Morning, sleepyhead," said Rowan, passing her a cup of orange juice as she sat down at the Gryffindor table.

"Morning. Sorry, I'm late, I had a rough night."

She must have still looked shaken, because Charlie's face filled with concern. "What happened?"

"Had another visitor from the mysterious robed figure."

Rowan gasped. "Ben!"

"No, Rowan. It wasn't Ben. He was with me at the time. He was attacked too."

"Are you okay?" asked Charlie.

"I'm fine," said Sarah, wondering if it was really true. "Ben was just stunned, and I got Petrificulus Totalused. Filch found us about a second later." She allowed herself a smile. "He was ready to hang us by our thumbs. Wouldn't believe we hadn't been dueling each other. Took us straight to McGonagall."

"Did you get into trouble?" Rowan asked.

"No, I was able to explain everything and she let us off. Filch was furious," she added with a dry chuckle.

Rowan didn't laugh. "I don't like this, Sarah. Now you've got multiple people attacking you."

"I'll be alright. I've just got to find all the vaults before they do. And," she added, hesitating slightly as she decided what to say. "We'll all need to be more careful outside of classes. All of us."

They nodded gravely. Sarah wasn't sure if she should tell them about the most frightening part of last night's encounter. The figure's warning that one of her friends would die by the end of the year. She didn't want to worry them more than they were already.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Barnaby, as he arrived at their table with a cheery hullo. "We still headed to the village together?" he asked.

"Yep," said Charlie. "I reckon we're ready to leave as soon as Sarah's finished her breakfast."

"I'm done," said Sarah. She'd found she hadn't had much appetite. She rose from the table and the others joined her.

"Where should we head first?" asked Charlie. "I want to head to the quidditch shop to convince Barnaby to get a decent broom and try out for the Slytherin team."

"Like Gran would give me that kind of money," he said with a smile. "Though she is always going on about me being more like my dad, and he played in his day."

"Sounds great to me," said Sarah. "From what I saw yesterday, you'd be an excellent player, Barnaby. Perhaps Slytherin would finally give Gryffindor some competition." 

Charlie laughed.

"Well," said Rowan. "I'd like to buy a new quill and some parchment. I've already used up all my supplies taking notes."

"Blimey, Rowan. It's been one week!" said Barnaby.

Sarah laughed. "I promised Bill I'd meet him at the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer, but I'll find you guys later."

Barnaby's brow furrowed. "Can't we come?"

"I think he wants to speak to me privately," said Sarah apologetically. "But I'm sure you all could join us later."

"So, it's just you and him then?" asked Barnaby. His voice had become strange, like he was trying to speak casually but couldn't quite manage it.

"Yes, I believe so."