Chapter ─ 5 | It's on
The next morning, Noelle and I walked side by side through the winding corridors of the castle, the cool morning air seeping through the stone walls. Our footsteps echoed as we made our way toward the Great Hall. Noelle was talking animatedly about the potions class from the day before, her voice light as she recounted how we had brewed the perfect potion yet again. I nodded along, though my thoughts were elsewhere, distracted by the events of the previous evening.
Then I felt Noelle’s shoulder collide with someone in the crowded corridor. Startled, she stumbled, nearly losing her balance. I quickly reached out and caught her arm to steady her. ─ Careful, Noelle, ─ I muttered, but my voice trailed off when I saw who she had bumped into.
Standing before us was none other than Professor Sibyll Trelawney, her large, thick-rimmed glasses perched precariously on her nose, and her wild, curly hair spilling out in all directions. She blinked at us, her movements slow and dreamlike.
─ Oh! I’m so sorry! ─ Noelle blurted out, still a little off balance as she straightened herself up, brushing invisible dust off her robes. ─ I wasn’t looking. ─
Trelawney gave a small smile, her gaze drifting over us, but her expression remained vacant. ─ No harm done, my dear. No harm done… ─ She said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes flickered towards mine for a moment, and I felt a chill crawl up my spine.
I opened my mouth to say something, anything to break the strange tension that had formed, but before I could, Trelawney’s eyes glazed over, and her whole body seemed to stiffen. Her head tilted ever so slightly, and her voice, now deeper and more resonant, echoed through the hallway, making several students nearby stop in their tracks.
─ With a brotherhood discovered… the children of Hades… the Philosopher’s Stone shall be saved and destroyed… so the evil surrounding it will perish… into the dark. ─
Her words hung in the air like a heavy fog, and I felt the blood drain from my face. Noelle, too, had gone pale as a ghost. The words... ─ Children of Hades? ─ Could it be true? Was she…? My heart pounded in my chest. I looked at Noelle, but her wide eyes were fixed on Trelawney, clearly trying to make sense of it all.
─ Professor? ─ I ventured carefully. ─ Are you all right? ─
Trelawney blinked, and it was as if someone had flipped a switch. She suddenly came back to life, looking dazed but cheerful. ─ Hm? Did I say something peculiar, dear? ─ Her voice was back to its usual dreamy quality.
Noelle was quicker to recover than I was. She forced a laugh, though it sounded hollow. ─ Oh, nothing strange, Professor. Just... something about one of the classes. No big deal. ─
Trelawney seemed relieved, exhaling a breath. ─ Ah, I do tend to wander in my thoughts at times. Best not to linger, you’ll miss breakfast. Off you go! ─ She waved her hand dismissively and began walking down the corridor as if nothing had happened.
Noelle and I exchanged a glance, and without another word, we hurried toward the Great Hall. My mind was racing with questions, but the look on Noelle’s face kept me from prying. I wanted to ask her, was she also a child of Hades? Could the prophecy be referring to us both? But the timing didn’t feel right.
─ Are you all right? ─ I asked finally, as we neared the entrance to the Great Hall. She looked as if she’d been lost in thought, but at my question, she seemed to snap back into reality.
─ Yeah, ─ she replied, though her voice wavered slightly. ─ I’m fine. It was just... weird, that’s all. ─
I could tell she wasn’t being completely honest, but I didn’t push it. We entered the hall and headed toward the Slytherin table in silence. The air was thick between us, neither of us willing to address what we’d both just heard.
As we sat down, Iyon was already there, picking at his breakfast. ─ Morning, ─ I greeted him, trying to sound normal, though my mind was still spinning.
─ Morning, ─ he replied, not looking up. ─ Cardan’s not feeling well. He’s still in the dormitory, and Severus already ate and went to the library. ─
Noelle nodded absently, her gaze drifting around the hall. I could tell she was still preoccupied with the prophecy too. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was happening. My instincts told me that this was just the beginning, but I didn’t know of what.
Trying to break the tension, Noelle asked, ─ So, have you decided about joining the Quidditch team? ─
I snapped back to the present, surprised by her sudden change in topic. ─ Oh, right. Yeah, I think I’m going to join. I’ve thought about it, and it seems like it could be fun. ─
She smiled, seeming genuinely pleased with my decision. ─ I’m thinking about talking to Carrow before classes start, just to make sure we’re in the running. ─
We continued chatting with Iyon about the day ahead. As breakfast wound down, Noelle and I stood up to find Carrow, the Slytherin Quidditch captain. He was easy to spot, standing near the entrance of the hall, talking with some older students.
─ Got a minute? ─ I asked when we approached.
He nodded, crossing his arms as he turned to face us. ─ What’s up? ─
─ We want to join the team, ─ Noelle said confidently. ─ But we know first-years aren’t usually allowed to play. How are we supposed to get in? ─
Carrow studied us for a moment, a smirk playing on his lips. ─ I’m planning to talk to Madam Hooch and see if she can convince Dumbledore to make an exception. You two are some of the best flyers I’ve seen in a long time. Slytherin needs players like you if we’re going to stand a chance against Gryffindor. They’ve got Potter on their team this year. ─
At the mention of James Potter, I felt a surge of competitive energy. If Gryffindor had Potter, then Slytherin needed something, no, someone, to balance the scales. And that someone could very well be us.
─ We’re in, ─ I said firmly.
Carrow nodded approvingly. ─ Good. I’ll let you know what Madam Hooch says. ─ With that, we parted ways, feeling a little lighter now that something exciting was on the horizon.
History of Magic was, as expected, long and tedious. Professor Binns droned on about the Giant Wars, his voice so monotonous it could lull a dragon to sleep. Even though Noelle and I tried to stay focused, I could feel both of our minds drifting back to the prophecy. Noelle’s foot tapped anxiously under the desk, and I kept glancing at the clock, counting the minutes until the class would be over.
Finally, Binns dismissed us, and we quickly gathered our things. As we headed to the dungeons for Potions, Noelle remained unusually quiet.
When we arrived outside the Potions classroom, Barty and Pandora were already there, waiting for us.
─ Took you long enough, ─ Barty teased, but his grin faded as he noticed our expressions. ─ Everything okay? ─
─ Yeah, ─ Noelle said quickly, before I could say anything. ─ Just a long class, that’s all. ─
We filed into the Potions classroom and took our seats, Barty and I up front, Noelle and Pandora behind us. Slughorn entered with his usual enthusiasm, his mustache twitching with excitement.
─ Today, class, we’ll be brewing the Wiggenweld Potion. A powerful healing draught capable of reviving someone from a magically induced sleep. Pay attention to the details, one misstep and you’ll end up with a useless sludge. ─
Slughorn then began explaining the ingredients and steps required for the potion, moving about the classroom, peering over shoulders.
Barty and I worked well together, as usual. Each step of the process flowed smoothly as we crushed, stirred, and measured. Noelle and Pandora behind us were equally focused.
After a time, Slughorn came around to check our potions. He looked into our cauldron, his face breaking into a pleased smile. ─ Perfect, Mr. Jackson. Mr. Crouch. Another fine effort. ─
I couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. Noelle and Pandora received similar praise, and before we knew it, the class was over.
We made our way to Transfiguration, where we found Emily already seated, chatting with a Gryffindor girl I didn’t recognize. Noelle and I sat down in front of them, and when we turned around, Emily introduced us.
─ This is Eleanor Greengrass, ─ she said. ─ She’s in Gryffindor too. ─
We exchanged pleasantries, though my mind was already preoccupied. McGonagall soon entered, and we quickly fell silent.
─ Today, we will be practicing the Reparifarge spell, used to reverse Transfigurations. A very tricky bit of magic, so you’ll need to focus. ─
McGonagall walked us through the steps, demonstrating the spell with a quick flick of her wand. We paired up and tried it ourselves. After several attempts, I managed to reverse a Transfigured teacup back into a beetle, and Noelle, Emily, and Eleanor all succeeded as well.
As we were gathering our things to leave, I nudged Noelle, and we caught Emily’s attention. ─ Hey, we need to talk. Can Eleanor come too? ─
Emily glanced at Eleanor, and after a moment, they both nodded. We pulled them aside, lowering our voices.
─ Barty and Pandora saw something last night, ─ I began. ─ A three-headed dog... on the third floor. ─
Emily’s face drained of color. ─ A what? ─ Eleanor looked equally shocked. We quickly filled them in on everything we knew.
─ We need to find out more, ─ Noelle said. ─ This can’t be a coincidence. ─
Emily hesitated but eventually nodded in agreement. ─ Okay. Let’s figure this out. ─
And with that, we set off to find Barty and Pandora. It was time to start investigating.
We moved swiftly through the hallways, Noelle beside me, her face still pale from Trelawney’s bizarre prophecy. Eleanor and Emily kept pace, though they exchanged anxious glances every now and then. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Noelle wasn’t telling me everything. Whatever Trelawney had said had clearly rattled her more than she let on, but there wasn’t time to press her about it now.
The castle was alive with the usual bustle of students heading to and from classes, but we were focused. I could tell Emily was still spooked by the mention of the three-headed dog, and Eleanor, though calmer, kept her eyes on the corridor ahead, a look of determination etched on her face.
─ Do you think they’ve found out anything yet? ─ Noelle asked, her voice low but tight with anticipation.
─ If anyone could, it would be Pandora, ─ I replied. ─ She’s good at finding things people want to keep hidden. ─
─ And Barty loves getting into trouble, ─ Emily muttered, though there was a trace of affection in her voice.
─ Pandora, definitely, ─ Eleanor added. ─ Barty... Well, he's more about the thrill, isn’t he? ─
We turned down another corridor, finally spotting Barty and Pandora near the courtyard. Pandora was sitting on the edge of the fountain, a book open in her lap, while Barty lounged beside her, absently flicking his wand between his fingers. They seemed relaxed, almost too much so, considering what we were about to dive into.
─ Oi! ─ I called out, quickening my pace.
Barty looked up first, a slow grin spreading across his face. ─ Well, look who it is, the future Quidditch stars. ─
Pandora closed her book and stood, her sharp eyes glinting as she regarded us. ─ You lot look like you’ve seen a ghost. ─
Noelle shot me a glance, but I shook my head slightly. ─ We ran into Trelawney. And she said something... odd. ─
Barty snorted. ─ Doesn’t she always? ─
─ This was different, ─ I said, feeling a prickling unease return to my chest. ─ She made some sort of prophecy. It’s... hard to explain, but I think it ties back to the dog on the third floor. ─
Pandora’s expression changed immediately, her curiosity piqued. ─ The third floor? What did she say? ─
I hesitated for a second, then relayed the prophecy as best I could. ─ She said something about a brotherhood discovered... and the children of Hades. The Philosopher’s Stone… saving and destroying it. Whatever that means. ─
The courtyard seemed to still as everyone processed what I’d said. Pandora looked thoughtful, while Barty’s grin faded into something more serious.
─ The children of Hades? Like the Greek God Hades? ─ Barty repeated, raising an eyebrow. ─ Sounds ominous. ─
Eleanor, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke up. ─ But what does that have to do with the dog? Do you think it’s guarding the Stone? ─
─ That’s what we’re trying to figure out, ─ I said, glancing at Noelle, who was uncharacteristically quiet. ─ Trelawney’s prophecy wasn’t exactly crystal clear. ─
Pandora folded her arms, a calculating look on her face. ─ There’s definitely something going on. That dog… it wasn’t there by accident. ─
─ We need to find out what it’s guarding, ─ Noelle finally spoke, her voice steady but soft. ─ If it’s the Philosopher’s Stone, then we’re talking about something extremely powerful. And dangerous. ─
Emily shuddered. ─ Dangerous is an understatement. I’ve heard of that stone before, from what I know it’s very powerful. ─
─ We won’t get anywhere if we don’t at least try to investigate, ─ Pandora said firmly. ─ But we have to be smart about it. The third floor is off-limits for a reason, and breaking in isn’t exactly going to go unnoticed. ─
Barty grinned again, though this time there was an edge to it. ─ You say that like sneaking around is something new for us. ─
Eleanor frowned. ─ This is different, though. If Dumbledore really has something like the Philosopher’s Stone hidden away, we could be in over our heads. ─
I looked around at the group. Pandora was right,we had to be smart, careful even. But there was no denying the pull of whatever was happening here. Noelle and I were somehow connected to this prophecy, and ignoring it wasn’t an option.
─ I think we need to start with gathering more information, ─ I said.
─ We probably should take a look in the library. See if there is anything about the philosopher's stone there… ─ Noelle mumbled.
─ And then look around the third floor corridor. ─ I completed.
Barty clapped his hands together, clearly enjoying this more than he should. ─ Finally! Something exciting. ─
Eleanor rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. ─ We’re not breaking in without a plan. ─
I nodded. ─ We’ll need to do some surveillance, figure out the best time to go when we won’t be caught. ─
─ Sounds like a plan, ─ Pandora agreed. ─ We keep an eye on the third floor, gather as much information as we can, and figure out exactly what that dog is guarding. ─
─ Right, but we’ll have to be careful, ─ I said, glancing around at the group. ─ We don’t know who else might be looking into this. ─
Noelle nodded, her expression serious. ─ Agreed. Let’s split up for now, keep an eye on the corridor when we can, but no taking unnecessary risks. We’ll reconvene once we have more information. ─
The group murmured their agreement, and we began to part ways, but before we could leave, Pandora spoke again. ─ One last thing. ─
We all turned to her, curious.
─ The prophecy, about the children of Hades, ─ she said, her eyes flicking between me and Noelle. ─ It wasn’t just a coincidence, was it? ─
For a moment, the courtyard felt impossibly quiet. Noelle and I exchanged a glance, neither of us willing to voice what was becoming increasingly clear.
─ No, ─ I said quietly. ─ It wasn’t. ─
Pandora nodded slowly. ─ Then we’re not just dealing with any old magical artifact. This is something bigger. ─
─ Much bigger, ─ Noelle whispered.
─ We're gonna need help. And I think the right people to ask. ─ I said.
With that, we split off, the weight of our newfound knowledge hanging heavy in the air.
As the day pressed on, the tension between us grew, and yet no one spoke of the unspoken truth, that Noelle and I were, in some way, tied to whatever was unfolding.
Classes seemed like a blur after that, but there was a quiet determination between us all now. Something was coming, and we were about to be right in the middle of it.