Clubs! -Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery

Rowan's Warning

Sarah didn't see Barnaby again until Defense Against the Dark Arts on Monday afternoon.

"How was your first club meeting?" he asked as he sat down at her table.

"It was great! The Dragon club is really something else." She told him about the crazy atmosphere and Diego's dance lessons.

"And I bet I can guess who your dance partner was," he said, shooting a dirty look at Diego's back.

"Everyone took turns with different partners," she said nonchalantly. "It was actually quite fun, and good exercise. I'm still wiped out. Though I haven't figured out how it is helpful for dueling yet. Anyway, how was the Hippogriff Club?"

"Oh, it was cool," he said, tearing his eyes away from Diego. "Everyone was really nice. We were studying to see  if there were any benefits keeping water demons in wells and such rather than banishing them. Everyone was pretty impressed when I rode the Kelpie they've got in the pond in there."

"You rode a kelpie!?"

"Yeah. It's easy. I trained a kelpie that lives in a pond back at home when I was like eight."

"When you were eight years old?!" said Sarah in disbelief. "Barnaby, kelpies kill people! Fully grown wizards. Quite often."

He shrugged. "You've just gotta show them you're not afraid, and be good with a lasso and halter."

He laughed when Sarah continued to stare him in shock. "Never tell me you're a below average wizard again," she said at last. "That's incredible."

"That's what everyone else thought," he said. "Except Liz. She felt it was cruel to tether it. Now, shush, Professor Rakepick's coming in, and I need to focus."

"Why?"

"If being in the Dragon Club means close dancing with you, I want to get in as soon as possible."

She laughed, but said nothing as Rakepick started the lesson.

After the lesson was over, Rowan cornered Sarah before they headed to dinner. "Can I speak to you in private?" she asked.

"Sure."

They waited for the others to file down the stairs, then Rowan asked, "What's going on with you and Barnaby?"

"Nothing, really," Sarah admitted. "We just—"

"I'm not sure you should be spending so much time with him."

"What? Why?"

Rowan looked around to make sure they were alone, before continuing in a whisper. "Think about it. We still don't know who this R person is, but whoever it is, they seem to know a lot about you and what you've been up to. Evidence suggests it's someone close to you."

"And you think it could be Barnaby?" asked Sarah in disbelief.

"I don't think he's the mastermind or anything, but of all your friends who could possibly be working for R, he seems the most likely."

"I don't follow you," said Sarah.

"Isn't it obvious? He's a Slytherin for one thing, and when have a Slytherin and a Gryffindor ever gotten along as well as you two? He's also the son of infamous death eaters, and he lives with his Grandmother, who everyone says is a dark witch. I wouldn't be surprised if she was R and he was reporting back to her."

"That's surprisingly prejudiced of you, Rowan," said Sarah, shrugging her aside and making for the stairs. Rowan pulled her back.

"That's not all. He worked with Merula before, and he's friends with Ismelda, both of whom would happily see you dead and out of the way. Remember the beginning of third year? The whole 'You mess with Merula and I'll vanish your bones' thing? You don't just transform from that ruthless to a cuddly teddy bear overnight. I don't think he should be trusted."

Sarah broke away again. "Need I remind you that you were the one who tried to attack me in the courtyard a few weeks ago. And it was Barnaby who jumped in front of me and took the curse for me. Maybe it's you that shouldn't be trusted."

Rowan stopped short. Sarah knew she'd gone too far. "I was under the imperius curse," she said softly. "I'd never have done it on purpose."

"I know, Rowan. I'm sorry. You're the person I trust most. I just got irritated."

"It's alright," said Rowan. "I just want you to be careful. Whoever's after you isn't afraid to use unforgivable curses. Having the family he has, Barnaby is one of the few people at Hogwarts who might have been taught those curses. Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I always am."

Rowan scoffed. "Yeah, that's why they invited you to the Dragon Club. You're so cautious."