beyondwandpoint | “beyond wandpoint” 096 by gingerbred (Reply)

“11 12i Wednesday - Rise and Mind the Little Monsters”

Staff: Poppy Pomfrey, Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick, Pomona Sprout, Albus Dumbledore, Slytherins: Tomasina Touchstone, Hunter Hutchinson, Wilfred Wilkes, Gryffindors: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, Kevin Peterson, Ravenclaws: Darius Inglebee, Stewart Ackerly, Hufflepuffs: Leanne Moon, Megan Jones, Salome Perks Smith, Ernie Macmillan, Roger Malone, Mentioned briefly: Staff: Severus, Professor Terrence ‘Call-Me-Terry' Taylor, Professor Sarah Sapworthy, Sybill Trelawney, Slytherin: Harper Hutchinson, Gryffindors: Hermione Granger, Kiera Kilkenny Devi, Dennis Creevey, Katie Bell

Originally Published: 2018-11-03 on AO3
Chapter: 096

Characters:

Staff:
Poppy Pomfrey (Mediwitch extraordinaire), Professor Minerva McGonagall (HoG, Transfiguration), Professor Filius Flitwick (HoR, Charms), Professor Pomona Sprout (HoH, Herbology), Albus Dumbledore (dying Headmaster, but ffs, not nearly fast enough...)

Slytherins:
Tomasina Touchstone 5S (Prefect, Potions savvy heiress), Hunter Hutchinson 4S (Imp, Take-Out Delivery Boy), Wilfred Wilkes 4S (Messenger Boy)

Gryffindors:
Harry 7G (Team Captain, Seeker, the Boy-Who-Lived-to-Annoy-Severus), Ron Weasley 7G (Prefect, Keeper (but also only in the Quidditch sense), the Boy-Who-Exists-to-Annoy-Hermione), Neville Longbottom 7G (errant Herbal Knight), Seamus Finnigan 7G (fiery Reserve Beater), Kevin 'Kev' Peterson 5G (in a class of his own)

Ravenclaws:
Darius Inglebee 4R (Reserve Chaser, impatient Patient), Stewart Ackerly 4R (Beater)

Hufflepuffs:
Leanne Moon 7H (Megan's friend), Megan Jones 7H (Muggle-born), Salome Smith 7H (née Perks, bonded to Zacharias Smith 6H), Ernie Macmillan 7H (Head Boy), Roger Malone 7H (Leanne's and Megan's friend)

Mentioned briefly: Staff: Severus (HoS, Potions), Professor Terrence 'Call-Me-Terry' Taylor (DADA), Professor Sarah Sapworthy (Xylomancy), Professor Sybill Trelawney (Divination), Slytherin: Harper Hutchinson 6S (Prefect, Chaser, flash Robe Model), Gryffindors: Hermione 7G (Prefect, Supreme Swot), Kiera Kilkenny Devi 6G (bonded to Dhanesh, who sadly no longer has his tail), Dennis Creevey 4G (almost as bad as Colin), Katie Bell G'97 (cursed necklace survivor)

Previously:

Ron hexed Kev Peterson with Harry's weird Boil Hex. (Mentioned 080) Suitably inspired, Dennis Creevey applied the same hex to one of the Ravenclaws (Darius Inglebee) attacking Newton Kurz in the duel Hermione stopped (080). Filius had some difficulty treating it, and the boys spent the evening in the Infirmary (081).

Unfortunately, feeling a little hex happy, in the process Ron also hexed Colin Creevey, Dennis panicked and went to get Professor McGonagall for help. She was so angry, she gave Ron detention every evening until the big match, dooming the Gryffindor Quidditch team to early morning practices. (080) That went over well.

And Albus had a mysterious meeting with an irate Muggle parent last night (080).

Poppy takes a handful of Floo powder and throws it into the fire. A cry of 'Minerva' soon summons the Transfiguration Professor to her hearth. "Good Morning, Minerva. I hope I didn't wake you?"

"Not at all, Poppy. It was time to rise and face the day." Poppy swears she can hear the woman sigh. She knows the feeling. "Was there something I could do for you?"

"There was, actually, although I wanted to let you know we still have your Mr. Peterson here."

"Hmm." Her lips narrow at the thought of yesterday evening's hexing, at the wand of a Prefect no less. "How is he?"

"Greatly improved, thanks to Filius' efforts, but it wasn't easy. Nevertheless, we should have him back out in time for classes this morning."

"I'm sure he'll be pleased," Minerva manages with an almost straight face, but the twinkle in her eyes gives it away, certainly to someone who has been friends with her as long as Poppy has.

Poppy manages to keep her own smirk under control, mindful of the students lying in the beds nearby. "And that was what I wished to speak to you about. I gather Mr. Weasley was behind that particular hex... That jinx," she corrects quickly, apparently not quite mindful enough. "Could I impose upon you to ask him what he used?

"Mr. Creevey seems to have gotten it from him and simply parroted the thing on another student. We didn't think to press him further at the time, hadn't quite realised how sticky it would prove, and of course it's best to go straight to the source, at the end of the day."

"You weren't able to counter it?" Minerva sounds shocked. Dennis Creevey is about as far from a master Spell caster as one can get.

"We tried, naturally, but we don't seem to be able to find a Countercharm for it, and I can't keep having poor Filius run over every time someone loses their rag and unleashes their wand," Poppy huffs.

"No, of course not, I agree completely. I'll be happy to ask him, but I fear the Quidditch team has early morning practice today. I'll get back to you with the information you need, I should think after breakfast at the latest. Thank Filius for me, if you see him first."

"I imagine he'll be by before breakfast. I still have two of his here as well." She refrains from mentioning Mr. Inglebee's worrisome state. Those are the sort of conversations best saved for locations free from curious student ears. Extendable or otherwise.

"Thank you, Poppy. I'll let you know as soon I can tell you anything further."

By the time Minerva is dressed and prepared to make her way to the dorms (she's rather had her fill of Mr. Weasley this week, and it's only Wednesday), curfew has ended. Mr. Longbottom is just exiting from behind the portrait as she arrives and she enquires as to Mr. Weasley's presence.

That's a bit of a problem.

Ron isn't there.

None of the team are.

They had snuck out for practice early this morning, without obtaining permission from their Head of House first. She'd have granted it, naturally. (That had rather been the point of scheduling Mr. Weasley's detentions as she had, the assumption being they'd make her displeasure known to him in... ways that she couldn't. Although admittedly she had been looking forward to letting them squirm before giving them her official blessing. But apparently none of them had felt courageous enough to approach her for her authorisation in light of her fury over the hexings last night.

And they call themselves Gryffindors.

"I'm afraid you just missed them," Neville lies surprisingly smoothly, although he resolves to have a panic attack later; first hexing staff, now lying to Professors... He hardly recognises himself anymore. But he isn't going be the one to get the entire team detention. Somehow the Lions have a tendency to overlook the fact that that would have been earned by the actions of the team and not by Neville's generally questionable skills at deception. He suppresses a shudder at the very thought of their reactions. He really doesn't need the kind of aggro that was rampant last night. Not that the library had proven that much quieter, now that he thinks about it. Merlin. He sort of wonders if everyone's gone bonkers this week... "They've already gone down to the pitch."

Minerva casts a Tempus, more for effect than anything else, and replies, "That will be a very short practice then." Neville can't do more than shrug in response, and Minerva is good enough to let the young man off the hook. "If you should see Mr. Weasley..."

"I'll be sure to let him know that you're looking for him," Neville quickly agrees as he rushes off to the Great Hall. The chances are pretty good he'll see Ron at breakfast, after all. After missing breakfast yesterday, he can't imagine Ron would be eager to do that again. And he definitely won't want to risk a repeat of helping himself to Peeve's bread... But just to be on the safe side, Neville will tell everyone Professor McGonagall wants to speak with Ron.

Or at least, everyone in their House who is at breakfast this morning.

That's quite a few people when one starts counting wands.

Of course, when most of their Housemates - individually and successively - then proceed to let Ron know their Head of House was trying to find him, the already fairly disgruntled and tense boy will become increasingly more irritated. It will also occur to the team that they can't afford to take the risk of jumping curfew again tomorrow, and they'll force Ron to swallow the bitter draught and beg McGonagall for permission to practice earlier.

She'll welcome the conversation.

Filius still has his two little Eagles in the Infirmary to see to. Mr. Ackerly should be released this morning. Mr. Inglebee is another matter. Filius has slept on it, and he's still no closer to a solution for the fourth year. He'll ask Severus if he has any ideas - either as to what was used or how to counter it - at breakfast. But first he stops by the Infirmary to see to the boys. The students certainly keep Poppy's hands full and wand busy.

Little effort is required on Poppy's part at this point to get Misters Ackerly and Peterson on their way. Their problems had been mostly solved last night, and they'd just needed a little rest and time for their healing potions to be able to take effect. Mister Ackerly had apparently been on the receiving end of Mr. Hutchinson's work (both Mr. Hutchinsons, technically, but then Filius isn't aware of Harper's Stinging Hex), and while he truly wishes the boy could make his swish swishier - and then there was the matter of enunciation, of course - Filius has to admit his work here had been solid. The same couldn't be said of the younger Mr. Creevey's attempt.

The boys are leaving as Filius enters the ward.

"Mr. Ackerly, Mr. Peterson, are we feeling all better again?"

"Yeah," Kev replies, willing to leave it at that. He's not a morning person. It counts as a success that he didn't give Flitwick grief for the 'we'. We're feeling just grand.

"Yes, thank you for asking, Professor," Ackerly shows him up with a pointed look his way as he heads out the doors. Stupid Ravenclaw.

"Uh, thanks again for your help yesterday," Kev, once prodded, now thinks to add.

"Not at all, my boy. Not at all. Glad to help. But if you could make an effort to steer clear of that jinx moving forward, it would be appreciated," he smiles beneficently at the fifth year.

Kev does his level best not to look at him like he's barmy. The man had helped him after all. As if he had wanted to be hexed... "Uh, I'll make every effort to try?"

"Protego, Mr. Peterson. A good Protego is your friend." And he can't help thinking the boy could use all the friends he can get.

Kev manages not to get shirty as he leaves, but stands there shaking his head once the doors close.

Teachers. You'd think they haven't an ounce of sense...

With some regret, Filius breaks it to Mr. Inglebee that he'll still be unable to help him before his N.E.W.T. Charms class (and he wouldn't be adverse to a spot of breakfast first, either), but he promises to stop by again later. With a little luck, perhaps he'll have the solution by then. With a cheery wave to Poppy that does nothing for Inglebee's spirits, Filius leaves for breakfast to see what Minerva was able to discover from Mr. Weasley.

Already suffering the beginnings of a first class migraine, Albus Floos the Head of Hufflepuff's chambers. "Pomona? Pomona?" He calls, and it's not long before the rotund witch is kneeling before her fireplace.

She groans as she gets into position. "I'm too heavy for this and you're too old," she chuckles good naturedly. It will probably be the end of her good humour for a little while to come, he thinks regretfully. "I need to ask Severus if he has something for that."

She's expecting Albus to tease, most likely something along the lines of whether Severus should brew some aught for her joints, his age or her weight, the last two - she can hear it now - being declared equally improbable tasks. She enjoys the back and forth and has no issue making statements that leave openings to provide for it. That teasing feels like belonging. Staff are a family of sorts and Pomona is the sort of person to appreciate the time she spends with them. Well, by and large, anyway.

But Albus has to disappoint her this morning.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news, my dear," he tells her and sounds it for once. That has her worried. "Would you kindly step through when it's convenient. We should speak before breakfast."

He withdraws and leaves her with a sinking feeling in her stomach and precious little desire to actually eat that breakfast. A little wryly, she allows that it takes rather a lot to put her off her feed, but Albus has talents others can only aspire to. Apparently this would be one of the lesser feted ones.

Nervousness sets in as she tries to think if he could have had any of her other students bonded... It's a logical place for her thoughts to turn. Miss Perks, Madam Smith has already been bonded to the Smith boy, young man, and she knows for a fact Miss Jones isn't seeing anyone at school. She'd asked about after Albus' announcement of the bondings Sunday... The rest of the Muggle-born witches are too young, rendering the point moot. She wonders if he could have convinced another of her young men to bond someone, but no one comes to mind... And then her thoughts leap to Miss Granger and Severus as she considers that the lack of a relationship decidedly hadn't stopped Albus there...

Well, those were special circumstances.

There's nothing for it, she won't be able to guess, and she sets about getting ready as quickly as she can. Best to hear it from Albus directly and as soon as possible. Somewhat futilely, she tries not to worry in the meantime.

Attendance in the Great Hall isn't as usual this morning. For one thing, Minerva is the only Head of House at the High Table for some time. Filius is presumably with Poppy. She has no idea where Pomona or Severus are. In fact, the Slytherins as a whole seem largely absent. The first and second years arrive later than usual, and for the longest time none of the older Snakes appear. The Hufflepuffs, unlike their Head of House, are present, but seem rather disquieted.

Minerva doesn't know what to make of it. But if things keep going as they have of late, it probably isn't anything good.

Practice had been an unmitigated disaster.

Exhausted, the Gryffindor Quidditch team slumps into the Great Hall after their early session. The lack of sleep and the rigour of the exercise have done a number on them, and feeling the weariness in their bones, they slide into their seats. A few may even have groaned.

Ron and Harry bring up the rear, neither exactly popular after their detentions have so thoroughly bollocksed the practice schedule for the near future. That had been mostly Ron's fault, but Harry's being kind enough to stick by him. If he isn't personally blaming a body for something or wracked with guilt, he can be a decent wingman, although Hermione might beg to differ just at the moment...

Ron no sooner enters the Great Hall than people begin to let him know McGonagall wants a word. It gets annoying, fast, especially because they insist on speculating as to why.

"Hey, Ron, did you hear? McGonnagall wants to speak to you," Kev looks so very smug as he singsongs it. "Whatever could it be this time?" It's probably just as well he has no idea they'd snuck out this morning. He looks like a grass if ever Ron's seen one.

"Why thanks, Kev. So good of you to mention it. I didn't hear Dhanesh say so at all. Or Kiera. Or Andrew. Or Colin. Or any of the other thirty people to pass that along in the last three minutes. So, yeah, you've been very helpful. Really." Harry takes his elbow and tries to steer him further down the table towards the team, getting him a, "Bloody hell, Harry," for his pains, but it doesn't stop Ron whose mouth still keeps going even after he capitulates and follows his friend. "I don't know what I'd have done without you, Kev..." he calls over his shoulder.

Kev just rubs his still sore face as he watches the boy go. Stupid seventh year. Thinks he's all that.

Minerva eventually spots Mr. Weasley and calls out to him. Had she done so a litte sooner, she might have spared him the relentless nagging of his Housemates, but given a choice, this would have suited her better anyway.

"Mr. Weasley, please come and see me."

Harry gives him a sympathetic glance, but he's clearly in the minority. The reactions vary from curious to gloating to angry.

Seamus growls a threat, "It's bad enough we have to get up at the crack of dawn to practise. So help me, Ron, if you've buggered things up any further..."

The rest of the team looks to be in agreement. Generally, they've made their dissatisfaction quite clear this morning. The Beaters had seemed inclined to hit every single Bludger whizzing directly towards the back of his head, and at a guess, the Chasers had aimed a fair few his way as well instead of trying for the goals. He'd been so concerned with trying to avoid getting knocked from his broom, he'd let so many Quaffles through the others had begun to talk about whether they needed to get up so early just to keep him as Keeper.

No, it hadn't gone well.

His shoulders slouched, he approaches the High Table. Professor McGonagall remains seated and he's forced to stand there in front of her and the entire school. He can hear his Housemates whispering behind him. He'd sort of hoped she'd get up and meet him on the side, but that's just not the way his day is going.

And it's only breakfast.

"Would you care to tell me which hex," and the use of that term is very deliberate, particularly as they're unlikely to be overheard by any other students, "you applied to Mr. Peterson yesterday. There seem to be issues with the Countercharm."

Ron risks a glance over his shoulder. Given he'd just seen Kev - bloody hell, he'd spoken to him - and the plank had seemed just fine, ta, he's not sure what McGonagall's on about. He naturally has no way of knowing that Dennis had taken a page from his book and used the hex on some dumb Ravenclaw.

Mr. Weasley's look towards Mr. Peterson, instead of simply answering her question, angers Minerva notably. It hadn't taken a single evening for one of the younger students to ape his poor example, and he still doesn't seem to see the error of his ways. Her patience is wearing thin. "Now, Mr. Weasley. I haven't got all day."

Ron sputters a little, doesn't see as he has any choice but to answer, and then insists it was a simple Pimple Jinx, which had always been something of a misnomer, not that that's his fault for once. 'Boil Hex' would have been more suited.

Given he'd learnt it from Harry (who had learnt it from Fred and George), who had applied it rather infamously to Goyle in their fourth year, Ron really doesn't want to say more. Merlin knows, everyone is mad enough at him as it is. He's not about to shop their team captain and make matters any worse.

Minerva, however, disagrees quite strenuously with his assertion having seen what the hex did to Mr. Peterson. That most certainly was not the result of the Furnunculus.

She challenges him on it, but Ron holds his ground. He hasn't got much choice, when it comes right down to it, as it's the honest answer. They go back and forth a few times, but she's finally forced to relent. Mr. Weasley is very insistent that that is the Spell he'd used.

The only explanation is that it had gone wrong. Badly wrong.

Merlin knows, that happens often enough.

With some annoyance, she'd hoped this would provide Poppy and Filius with a solution, she dismisses the redhead and he retreats back to the Gryffindor table.

Indifferent to the reason he'd been called to speak with her, although the facts were only likely to make things worse - that specific hex was the reason for the early morning practices, after all - the others give him even more grief.

Ron's left wondering why he ever got out of bed.

Albus is late to breakfast. It's been happening often enough of late, he's failing and it's showing, but this morning seems different. For one thing, Pomona enters with him, and neither looks happy. In fact Pomona looks outright saturnine.

Filius, entering from the other side of the Hall, thus confirming Minerva's 'Infirmary' theory, slips into his seat almost at the same time Albus does and picks up on the Herbologist's mood immediately. "Pomona, what is it, my dear?" She shakes her head in frustration as she takes her seat, but can't seem to find an answer. Her lips are tight, her forehead furrowed, her eyes troubled, and she simply sits there, louring at her House's table.

Minerva, now also growing nervous, prompts, "Albus?" relying on their long history of shared confidences to tickle this from him as well.

He sighs heavily and then he tells them the news. "Miss Jones' parents have withdrawn her from the school last night, and in light of the apparent threat, are leaving the country."

Megan Jones is... was a seventh year Muggle-born Hufflepuff. She's in... was in her final N.E.W.T. year, and this close to the end of her schooling, pulling her from the school like that... The only ones to willingly do such a thing in recent memory were the Weasley twins and only because they'd set up shop for themselves soon after. No one else would do something like that voluntarily. It makes no sense.

Except the Jones family sees that very differently.

Having done his utmost to convince the Muggle-born witches above the age of majority that there was a credible threat, Albus can scarcely complain that Miss Jones' parents had decided to take it seriously. He's simply displeased with the measures they're taking to neutralise it.

Minerva and Filius are quick to express their regret at the news, Miss Jones was a sweet girl, and Albus further fills them in, a Privacy Charm keeping the conversation to themselves for the moment. It won't be long, however, before the news spreads. "After I spoke with her Sunday, Miss Jones had owled them that there was an attack here at the school last weekend, and they were exceedingly quick to come to a decision. It would seem they're relocating to Canada." That's met with such shock, by all rights one must assume none of them have ever been to visit the country. "She and her father are leaving Britain today, and I gather her mother is putting their affairs in order and will be following soon after."

"Didn't you try to talk some sense into them?" Minerva is appalled.

"Can Ilvermorny take her midway through the year?" Filius is more practical, not that it means he's more likely to be heard.

"Of course I did, Min. I spent quite some time last night doing just that while her mother read me the riot act, if you must know. But as I was the one to impress upon her just how dangerous the times have become..."

"You tried to talk her into bonding someone, didn't you?" Minerva accuses. His expression tells them she has the right of it.

"She wasn't even involved with anyone here!" Pomona is quick to object to the very idea, not that it's material at this stage.

"And that contributed greatly, I should think, to her unwillingness to even consider that as a solution," Albus replies evenly, but his exhaustion is showing around the edges, and his face is slightly pinched in response to the headache.

"This isn't something that should be left to a Floo call..."

"Minerva, what do you think of me?" She doesn't reply, but thinks of Miss Granger, and her expression sours. Miss Kilkenny at least had the good fortune to be bonded to someone she's been in a relationship with for a couple of years now. But Miss Granger... "And besides, they weren't on the Floo network at any rate." At that his eyes regain just a bit of their usual twinkle. He's always enjoyed teasing her. "But as they could scarcely come here, I went to see them at her mother's request.

"Sadly, it wasn't enough."

"As sorry as I am to see her go - she had a beautiful voice and a way with frogs, truly a stand out talent," Filius explains to Minerva, who hasn't taught the girl since her fifth year, and Pomona sits a bit taller with pride at his praise for her little badger, "can you honestly say that's such a bad idea, Albus? I imagine she'll be a great deal safer there than she would be here... even if she were bonded." He's still hoping Albus might come to his senses on that score. It won't change anything for the poor couples already bonded, naturally, but he fervently hopes this madness won't go any further than that.

Albus still won't hear a word against his bonding scheme, and it's hardly in his best interests to have a substantial portion of his potentially willing army flee. The Muggle-born ultimately should have little choice but to fight if swish comes to curse.

"But this close to her N.E.W.T.s, Filius, what of her schooling? Her education?" Minerva objects. "She only had a few months more."

Somewhat reluctantly, it feels just a bit too much like betraying the girl, Pomona allows, "It wouldn't have been many N.E.W.T.s, Minerva, even if she succeeded in every course she was taking. She was an industrious girl, you have to give her that, taking seven courses, but at best she could only have earned a N.E.W.T. in Divination and Herbology. Ghoul Studies and Xylomancy only provide certificates of achievement and her art and music classes wouldn't have even done that."

"More's the pity, my dear. More's the pity," Filius tries to reassure her, and pats her hand. "For her frog handling alone, she'd have deserved one."

Turning to the others, Filius tries again to convince Albus, and perhaps even Minerva, to see the sense of the decision, "It's essentially the same as what Professor Taylor's family had done back in his day." They all look in Terrence's, Call-Me-Terry's direction. They're not entirely sure, however, if that's such a winning argument, not precisely convinced of his abilities as they are. On the other hand, it's not clear if that deficiency is actually Ilvermorny's fault, as such. It's entirely possible had the Taylors remained in the country that he'd have graduated from Hogwarts without any more skills or knowledge than he'd managed to acquire there.

It's also possible, had they remained in the country, that he and his parents might have been casualties of the last war.

It's a sobering thought.

Mr. Wilkes approaches somewhat hesitantly, and interrupts their confab. "Good morning, Sir. Professor Snape sent me?"

"Well, I imagine you would know, Mr. Wilkes," Albus twinkles back, and Wilfred gets his bearing. Dumblebore is so nesh. He stands up a little straighter, looks the old coot in the eye and continues.

"He requests that you bring him some Universal Solvent from his stores." As the stuff isn't particularly useful and certainly not universal, it gets Wilfred a querying brow and he expands on his request, "There's been an incident."

Dumbelbore's 'Hmm, yes, well, I had assumed as much,' soon has him pressing on, "With Vince. And a couch."

Albus nods sagely, smelling a bit of theatre in the air, and rises, excusing himself solemnly from the others, "I fear this is very urgent, and I must see to it immediately." Pomona looks just the slightest bit befuddled, wondering if she's confused the Potions, Minerva and Filius smirk and grin respectively as befits their natures. "Thank you very much, Mr. Wilkes, for informing me. I assume the couch in question was one of your House's, and I shall I find Severus and Mr. Crabbe there then?"

"Oh, yes, Sir, sorry, I should have said." He shifts uncomfortably at being schooled by the old Gryffindor. He needs to up his game.

At least none of his friends saw it.

Of course, they were all back in the common room, watching the fun...

"Not to worry, my boy. I imagine had it been any other couch, I'd have heard of it before now." Albus is smirking broadly by now and Minerva is having difficulty not chuckling. It's good to see Albus looking a bit more like himself. The pressure has clearly been getting to him lately. "Go and get yourself something to eat, Mr. Wilkes, and I'll see to the matter."

The unbonded seventh year Hufflepuff witches had woken that morning to discover there were only three beds left in their room. Their first thought, quite reasonably, is that Megan had bonded someone last night and moved out like Salome had done. (Not that bonding anyone strikes them as reasonable, but it was the logical deduction.) That's met with quite a degree of shock, however, as Megan wasn't dating anyone at school. They throw on their robes and rush out into the common room, assuming they'll find another new door present like the Smiths'.

There isn't one.

Things go downhill from there.

It's a draw whether having to look at an absent classmate's bed day in and out is better or worse than Banishing the thing in the long run, but without any question that's a horrible way to discover someone is... gone. Of course, Hogwarts has never been known for its sensitive handling of... well, most things really.

And once again, the powers that be have made a hash of things. (The Slytherins would cheerily clarify that would be Dumblebore should anyone be unclear on it.)

The Hufflepuffs are all atwitter.

Megan is missing.

Megan is absent.

Megan is... well, gone.

That's the word for it. The problem, of course, is no one knows precisely what that means.

'Gone'. That's sort of everything and nothing, isn't it?

What it is is scary.

Megan's disappearance or absence or, well, goneness (they debate briefly and decide it applies) sparks all manner of discussion at breakfast and their table is a murmur of whispered conversations. No one should like to suggest anything... Well, they wouldn't dream of disparaging Megan's character, how rude, and she certainly doesn't deserve that kind of treatment, even if it weren't unconscionably ill-mannered. (Ernie Macmillan blushes rather furiously as he thinks again about the things he'd said and implied yesterday about Hermione... Madam Snape.)

But they really have no explanation for what's happened to Megan.

People are polled, everyone agrees, she was fine yesterday.

Leanne Moon had all but one class with Megan on Tuesday, Salome Smith and Roger Malone were in all but two. They'd have noticed if something were amiss, surely? Well, maybe not Salome, but Leanne and Roger would. They're the ones taking the most classes in total with her anyway. Leanne is in every one of Megan's classes, except for her Study Hall.

She's the hardest hit by this and sits there at breakfast, barely touching her meal. Megan's her closest friend since Katie Bell was in hospital and then graduated last year, and Leanne just can't believe she'd go off like this... Without even telling her... Without saying goodbye...

She doesn't know what to think.

Leanne had had quite a shock last year when Katie fell victim to a cursed necklace on a Hogsmeade trip and then spent the following six months at St. Mungo's. Leanne's always felt guilty for not stopping her friend, she knew Katie was behaving oddly and... Just maybe the tragedy could have been averted if Leanne had done so... Well, she hadn't and that's what came of it.

Katie might have died.

Megan had been a great consolation. She was such a huge help. She'd been there with Leanne through thick and thin, trying to convince her there was nothing she could have done, it wasn't her fault, and they became a lot closer last year. It helped, of course, that they knew each other so well from all their classes and had so many interests in common, their love of music for one. Megan had also proved to be a really nice person and was... she was there for Leanne when she needed her, and she just can't believe...

Leanne begins to sniffle quietly, and the tears start to form. Roger sits next to her patting her back and trying to console his friend. The problem, naturally, is he doesn't have anything particularly consoling to offer.

He has no more clue what happened than she does.

All they have are fears.

Pomona stares blankly at her House's table before shaking herself out of it. The teachers will have to be notified, and she's not at all sure how to break this to her House. On the other hand, looking at them, they seem to be aware that something had happened... They probably fear the worst. At the least, they have to take it into account. It will undoubtably be a consolation to learn their Housemate is well, even if she is moving to the wilds of... Canada.

Were geography still offered at Hogwarts, perhaps Pomona wouldn't think of Toronto as 'the wilds', but then Albus hadn't gone into much detail when they spoke of it this morning.

She looks up and down the High Table, searching for faces and then goes back to staring blankly in front of her. "I need to write a note for the teachers," she says woodenly to no one in particular, but as the Privacy Charm is still in effect, Filius and Minerva are the only two to hear.

Pomona has Miss Jones' schedule for today well in mind. The Music instructor is another one of faculty who reside in Hogsmeade, and like Sarah Sapworthy, the Xylomancy Professor, is rarely present at breakfast. So that's the morning's courses then. After lunch there's Divination, and Sybill, rather typically, isn't here either. Miss Jones' final class of the day would have been Herbology. Well, Pomona will hardly need to inform herself as to the developments. She's well apprised.

When she continues to sit there unmoving, Filius goes back to patting her hand and Minerva takes wand and a few napkins in hand and soon has Transfigured some parchment, a quill and a small pot of ink that she silently places in front of her friend.

Both gestures help, although Filius' touch probably does more to shake her out of it. She thanks them both warmly, they're really very good friends, sighs, takes up the quill and begins to write.

Leaving Pomona in Filius' capable hands, Minerva excuses herself to go speak to Poppy before class. She doubts the Mediwitch will find Mr. Weasley's 'Pimple Jinx' claims any more useful than she had, but she'd promised to get her the information and means to keep her word.

Pomona finishes three notes. She has every intention of letting Albus sort the general announcement, and really, by lunch presumably word will have spread anyway. Certainly by dinner.

She looks at the Hufflepuff table again and weighs who to have bring those notes to her colleagues. Miss Moon, Madam Smith and Mr. Malone are in all of Miss Jones' classes today, but somehow asking Madam Smith to pass along any information seems... ill advised. Ending the Privacy Charm and raising her voice, she calls for Miss Moon and Mr. Malone.

When they approach and she sees the state of the girl, Pomona takes pity. This will doubtlessly be difficult for her as well. She provides the two of them with a little information - staff aren't speaking of the attack Friday, and as a result there's really not much to offer - but Leanne and Roger leave with the knowledge that as a precaution, in light of the current political climate, Megan's parents have withdrawn her from school and the family is moving to Canada.

Leanne and Roger haven't much time, but are just able to spread the word amongst their Housemates that Megan's left school due to safety concerns.

It leaves everyone with a sinking feeling about the state of the war.

Albus emerges from Severus' classroom just as Miss Touchstone whisks past, late for breakfast. There had been rather a dearth of Snakes at the meal this morning, and Albus has no doubt it's related to the... 'incident' Mr. Wilkes had referenced. He looks forward to hearing the story later from Severus.

He considers - and rejects - asking the Slytherin fifth year Prefect if she'd mind terribly taking the Solvent to her Head of House. The day feels as though it's already been exceptionally long, and Albus is hoping to get a bit of rest before the next challenge rears its head. But the girl is far too Potions savvy and much more likely to look the stuff up should she have any contact with it. He'll either have to take it himself or find someone else.

Just then the younger Mr. Hutchinson comes sprinting down the corridor. Albus nearly admonishes him for running, and in fact the boy nearly stumbles over his own feet in an effort to stop doing so just as soon as he spots the Headmaster, but Albus greets him with a smile instead.

"Mr. Hutchinson, headed back to your House I see. How fortuitous. I wonder if I might ask you to do me a little favour..."

The Solvent dispatched to Severus with the appropriate pomp and ceremony - Albus can't recall ever seeing Mr. Hutchinson move in quite such a slow and controlled fashion - he rounds a corner into an alcove and Apparates back to his office from there.

He doesn't even mind missing breakfast. He hasn't any appetite anyway. Winky can always bring him something to eat later.

Should he regain his appetite by then, that is.

Ron's in a perfectly wretched mood as they make their way to Charms. The morning hadn't gone well, and apparently he feels it was made worse by the fact that once again, neither 'Mione nor Snape had put in an appearance at breakfast. There had been a little teasing about that, nothing major, until Kev spotted Ron's flush - his neck and ears really do give him away - and then Kev had taken it up a notch or ten to eleven. Others were soon to follow.

Harry would bet, not that he's sure, but it's a feeling and one he trusts, that this had next to nothing to do with 'Mione or believing what they were saying about her (not that Hermione will be likely to make that distinction), and more to do with tormenting Ron. Far too many appear to think that's a worthwhile goal this week.

He seems to have half the House angry at him these days.

Deflecting more than a little, Ron has been fussing up a storm about 'Mione and just what she thinks she's doing with the greasy old bat, undoubtedly having a cozy breakfast for two...

Harry can't believe it for a minute, she'd never, well, not unless the git were in the Infirmary again, although Kev had been quite sure he was not.

He ought to know.

But Ron can scarcely complain about his lack of sleep or their early morning practice - they're both very much his own fault. And he can't really say much about the others being so cheesed off with him, or the Bludgers he took or dodged. It's only fair, really. Or about McGonagall being so angry. Or even about the teasing that had annoyed him so. So he vents about the thing that isn't his fault, at least how he sees it.

'Mione and her bonding the bloody dungeon bat.

Except Harry's a lot less sure as to the question of fault, and he grows more and more quiet as Ron goes on - and on he goes - wondering just how much the two of them did to cause this. And just what 'this' really was.

The problem there, obviously, is Ron isn't going to handle that knowledge well. Harry understands this intuitively, too. And for 'Mione's sake, they're probably all best off if Ron doesn't give that any further thought. Harry really shouldn't like to picture what the ginger would do then.

Harry might be taking the simpler way out, as Hermione most definitely won't see Ron's never-ending stream of abuses as remotely for her benefit. How could she?

It's all a bit of a muddle.

Coming of age frequently is.

Ron's just finished another tirade of epic proportions. Harry's stopped listening to the words, but the emotions still get through, and growing tired of the whole thing, he tries to reason with his friend.

"Ron, you need to calm down, mate."

"Yeah?" Ron whips around to face him, happy for any target to pour out his anger upon and Harry realises the magnitude of his mistake. "You think I should be alright with this? How would you feel if Gin had married the old bat instead? How'd that be? Huh, mate? Still be telling me to calm down?"

Well, for one thing, then it would probably be the other way around, but presumably that's not the issue. Harry is about to point out that unlike Ron and Hermione, he had actually dated Ginny, but then he's honestly not sure how much those few weeks should count for in the grand scheme of things.

When Harry, showing a bit of common sense, keeps those thoughts to himself, Ron continues, taking it for agreement. "Yeah, I thought so."

Then Harry kind of wants to point out that unlike Ron, once Harry had realised he was interested in Ginny, he hadn't run around snogging someone else in front of her every chance he got and driving her to tears. Because he knows for a fact Ron had. Made 'Mione cry. Often even.

Looking at the sullen ginger, he can't help thinking things may not have changed all that much.

They enter Charms with Ron in a right state.

Of course that's not improved when Hermione enters a moment later with a Slytherin entourage.

Blimey.

“beyond wandpoint” 096 by gingerbred

“11 12i Wednesday - Rise and Mind the Little Monsters”

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