Absence noted

Seamus was sat at breakfast with his year mates the next morning. They had spent some time during the meeting to figure out how to play Rita, all that was left was to meet her at the three broomsticks. 

After sending Susan's elf with the letter it had gotten a surprisingly speedy response. Oh, the bug was just too happy to get the inside scoop on hogwarts. They may be running the ministrys propaganda but that had also done a speedy 180° after the article went out about Harry leaving hogwarts. It had only been the night before last that he'd left and it was lunch the next day they'd had pages about that very topic. 

Rita had agreed to meet in a private room in the three broomsticks, saying she'd be there all day waiting for him to get a chance to get away. They'd be arriving before lunch but only just a couple hours before. 

The plan was to stagger their exit and meet up in the town before heading to the pub. They didn't want to go head to head with such a vulture with too little support and going with all the houses would show a united from. Susan had even asked for a standard interview contract from her aunt, Rita wouldn't be able to twist their word now. 

He finished his breakfast and headed to the village, he wanted to scope out the place to make sure everything was set and safe. 

Susan had left breakfast some time ago, wanting to check the contract over again – to be sure they would be safe with it. She trusted her aunt but she was also the one who taught her to always know a contract by heart before signing. 

After she'd read through it multiple times she felt she had it down. Skeeter would be forced to only use direct quotes when she did quote them. She'd also be forced to send each of them a copy they would have to sign off on before she print anything. These would be magically binding and would copy themselves before sending the copy to Skeeter. This way she wouldn't be able to say one of them signed off on a certain change without telling anyone. 

She cast a tempus to check the time before heading out. It had been two hours since Seamus had left so she was in the clear. Next would be Theo, then Anthony. She ran through the plan while she walked to the town. She was trying to calm her nerves – this had to work, it just had to. 

Seamus had checked in with Rosemerta in the three broomsticks before hanging around the village. He'd been able to confirm Rita was alone. Now all that was left was to gather up everyone and head there. He'd spotted Theo and Susan but Anthony was taking a while it seemed. Just as he had that thought he seemed to have appeared. 

Walking over to him he called out a greeting and Smoothly directed them to where he'd told the others to wait. They all headed to the private room after gathering. 

As they walked into the room, directed by Rosemerta herself, they spotted Rita immediately – you couldn't miss her really. All toxic green and bright red splashed about her and sporting a hungry, Cheshire grin. 

Rosemerta left them to it and they took their seats across from her. She was the one to speak first, looking like she could barely hold it in long enough for them to talk their seats. 

"Why if it isn't our very own hogwarts representatives. From every house no less. So, what can little old me do for you?" She almost purred. She was probably excited for a story, but to be fair she would be getting one he'll of one. 

"First, we need you to sign this." Susan said as she slid the contract over to Rita's side of the table. "For our protection, you understand." Finishing with fake solemnity. 

Rita got a sour look on her face before picking up the paper, both delicately and like it was disgusting – fingertips to each edge. Her expression only grew worse as she read. Deciding to cut in before she refused, he spoke. 

"This is well worth it. It has to do with why Harry left."

While the paper did cover him leaving, it didn't have any real information on why. They had a few guesses on how that happened – the first two don't count. 

She shot a glance at him before giving the contract another once over, expression more pleasant. 

"Fine, I will sign." She spoke while grabbing a quill from her bag. She gave a flourish to finish it before it copied and floated in front of each person – they had signed beforehand. 

"Since you have given us such a wonderful place to start, why don't you tell me why our savior has run away from school. Does he feel he's too good for it? To many don't believe his delusion and now he's throwing a tantrum?"

It would seem Rita isn't with the party line at the moment. She seemed to still want to write with a poison quill towards Harry. Hopefully they'd give her another target by the end of this. 

They had to tread carefully, though, even with the contract. Nothing was 100% fool proof.

"Harry left the school became a professor was using a blood quill in detentions – requiring him to write lines with it. When he went to McGonagall, the deputy and his head of house, she told him, in front of the school, that she knew and would do nothing. All the professors were in attendance, as it was dinner. They all did nothing. That professor was umbridge." Seamus decided to speak first as a kind of defacto leader. 

She froze at his words, almost dropping her quill. 

"She... she did what?!" Rita exclaimed. She took a few calming breaths before setting her quill down. "Now I do not claim to be a Saint. Many know this. But... lines? With a blood quil...? This isn't on any human level of evil." She looked to each person with a genuine look of sadness. It almost appeared as if she was waiting for the punch line – for this to be some cruel joke. 

"Sadly she isn't the only one..." Theo spoke softly while rolling his sleeve up. In bold, bloody, handwriting letters lay the phrase 'I will not talk bad about my fellow Slytherins'.

Everyone gasped at this. Not only because of the length but because of the meaning. 

"I got this because was heard talking about how a few people in my house had or were going to join voldemort."

That seemed to snap her out of it. 

"Are you telling me you can confirm Harry Potter's story about the dark lord rising through talk in your house?" Rita almost seemed ravines at the opportunity Theo presented. Theo was able to set her straight though. 

"I am able to confirm a few from my house have heard of his rise and look forward to serving him. Many, many more are carved as I am."

"Are you trying to infer that those of your house aren't the ones voldemort recruits from, almost solely?"

"I'm not inferring, I'm stating it. At most 5 upper year Slytherins have been heard talking. I know of 37 who are marked as I am – phrase and everything. More who have different phrases."

"Then what would you say is the reason behind the sentence?"

"I can't honestly know why she chose it."

"But you can think of a reason?"

"I'm uncomfortable with stating one without proof."

Ha. that needs to be quoted, Seamus thought to himself, how Slytherin. That answer would see the public thinking he couldn't answer in fear of backlash. It's obvious what one would think that would mean. Not good to be seen accusing the undersecretary to be a death eater though. Anthony tool the mini stare off the two of them were doing to put in the facts he'd gathered. 

"Of the roughly 260 students, almost half are reported to have had a detention like this. It is unclear if the headmaster and professors were aware of the scale,  but it is clear that they are unwilling to do anything for it to have happened even just to Harry. When McGonagall spoke her exact words were 'I am aware. There is nothing I can do. This wouldn't happen if you could keep your head down though.' Along with Hermione's input of his detentions being assigned for breathing, helping a fellow student, and being outside during the day – with no classes, of course."

He looked at Rita expectantly for a few moments. When she didn't appear to be writing anything down he spoke again. 

"Would you like my notes?"

She gave a weak nod before Anthony pulled out his wand and made copies. The meeting from there was smooth sailing. As a half blood himself he hadn't known just how atrocious what umbridge had been doing was. Rita's reaction told him quite enough about it, though. He never thought he'd see her so... meek? No, not meek. Quietly determined?  Whatever it was, he didn't think he'd see her like it again either. 

By the end, they not only had her assurance she'd do the report right, but with the proper respect. And they believed her. All that was left to do was to meet the others in the room of requirement to go over what happened. They would stop by the kitchens for lunch afterwards – lunch had barely even started by the time it was over, they could wait to finish first. 

On the way there Seamus told them to go on ahead. He'd seen a restroom, making the urge hit him. They left him to his business, saying they'd meet him there. By the time he was finished only a few minutes had passed. He was making his own way back when he heard voices. 

"I promise, they called it Dumbledore's army. They met again last night but there was only a few. I wasn't there but.. I'm sure they were deciding a new leader – I'm sure of it!"

"That's very helpful Ms. Edgecombe. Thank you for the information. Would you tell me when they normally meet?"

"Usually on Saturday night... but that was with Harry.."

"Thank you so much for your time."

He crept a peek around the corner just in time to see it. 

Umbridge drew her wand. 

"Obliviate!"

He have to leave.

Now. 

He ran as fast as he could without making too much noise. This was bad. A member of the DA had rated them out. With a spell like that being used he wasn't entirely sure he could blame her for it though. She could of compelled her or... something much worse. 

His running took him to the room of requirement, screeching to a halt outside the door. He let himself have exactly two breaths before barging in. It was Saturday. And she wasn't completely wrong that anyone would be here. 

He was met with the surprised faces of all the house reps. They blinked at him a moment before he broke out with: "Umbridge knows we meet here on Saturday, we need to leave."

It was a scramble to reach the door after that, but he noticed something as he held the door for them. 

"Wait!" 

They all turned to him – only seconds had past, none yet to reach the entryway. 

"Do you see that? I think the room is giving us a way!"

They all turned to where he was pointing now, gaining looks of astonishment and confusion to pair with the panic. Seamus led the way to the passageway, the rest following apprehensively. 

"Are you sure this is such a good idea?" Hannah asked once they'd reached the entrance. 

"Hogwarts did it, who knows – might even lead to a room." 

They made their way down the tunnel, looking around at the sconces and the dirt walls. It made for a primitive picture, but all the more mysterious. It took about a three minute walk for them to reach a round room with a lectern facing them in the middle – a book with a small note on top.

He made his way over and took a peek at it. "Hannah, it says it's for you."

She hesitantly made her way over to read it – gasping in shock before she had even gotten very far. Seamus looked over her shoulder and couldn't help his own shock from showing. He began to read out loud, his voice portraying his emotions. 

"Dear Hannah Abbott –Heir Hufflepuff,

I've been waiting for the right conditions to meet you and show you this room – your birth right – since you first stepped into my heart. The room many have called the room of requirement is the heart of my magic and consciousness and is where I have woken once more for a time of great need. 

Listen well, this book is the current charter for all of my bylaws. You must read it thouroughly. A great many threats are in and out of the castle and you need to be prepared. I also have much more to show in this room alone. All you need is to ask for what you require and a room will show, to make it permanent just ask. 

My first suggestion is that you ask for the heirs room. You will know more of what you need in there. Until you have prepared I think it best to stay here – so I've put a time lock spell for you. Take the time. I've asked an elf to take care of you until then. 

When you leave no time will have passed. My only request is that when you leave you take something with you, you will learn more in the heirs room. 

Be well, 

Hogwarts."

The shocked faces that greeted him probably didn't cover the feelings everyone had – he knew his didn't. 

"W-well... could we get the Heir room..? –permanent?" Hannah asked hesitantly.

Right to it he supposed. 

There was the sound of a stone on stone as the door revealed itself and lifted. His curiosity got the best of him and he rushed in as soon as he could. He wasn't the only one; Theo and the twins followed. 

"Wow! Look at all this!"

"Wow is right brother mine, is that what I think it is?"

"Depends on what you think it is." Theo, surprisingly,  broke in. His voice filled with a kind of awe that made him turn to look as well. 

When he laid eyes on it his mind immediately shut down. 

It took a second for everyone to gather and stand in awe of the new discovery. The twins were the first to brake the staring contest they'd gotten into with the portrait. They stepped up reverently and spoke in soft tones. 

"Hello, I'm Fred and this is George. We also have Seamus and Neville, Luna, Stephen, Anthony, Theo, Blaise, Tracy, Susan, Jason, and last, but not least, Hannah Abbott. You know, Hufflepuffs Heir apparently." As he spoke his voice gained back it's normal amusement and flourishing gestures. The people in the portrait seemed to like it anyway. 

"It's so nice to meet my Heir, I don't think I've seen one since... why, I really can't tell." The woman with blonde hair and eyes the color of a spring said. Now that he thought about it, she did kind of look like her. 

"What seems to be the matter? My Heir was only to be active if the world needed healing. Please tell me what brought you here."

"Well... I don't know about healing just yet.. we are at the precipice of war. But something did happen recently! Harry Potter walked out of the school. He'd been given detentions with a blood quill and no one would help him. The fall out was in the Great Hall and everything! And the headmaster didn't even say anything!" Hannah got more and more heated as she went on, ending her words with a huff before continuing. "We actually came together because of this. We found out she was doing it to almost everyone – but no one said anything! I find it fishy..." She glared off into space for a lack of her target. 

"I thought so too." He put in, getting general nods from everyone else. 

"Well- it- that is quite a lot to take in dear, sorry. For the blood quill is possible... have you checked for invisible ink? She could be making you sign contracts." Slytherin said, making his long black hair fall to the side. Seamus kind of liked it – made him look like a ghost from a muggle movie, but not, you know... dead... looking? Yeah he was abandoning that paradox right quick. 

"Contracts!?" Tracy screeched. 

Slytherin glanced at her uniform with faint disappointment, answering her after a beat. 

"Yes, child, contracts. Did none of you check before hand." He emphasized with a pointed look at the Slytherins. 

"Hey! She wouldn't know to do that! Lay off, she's been raised away from magic." Theo cut in with a sharp look at Slytherin. Seamus might have a bit of a crush now, that was wicked. 

Slytherin gave a slight cough and a blush high on his cheeks before moving on. "So, did anyone check?"

The twins were the first to confirm that, no, they didn't. But that wasn't to say she didn't wait for you to stop checking first. The next idea was a sly compulsion – generating the most agreement. 

"But wait! If I'm for healing, who's here for the war? It's a little early if there wasn't that person who needed saved."

"Why, my Heir of course!" Gryffindor spoke up, voice boisterous and fiery as his hair.

Ooh, I know- "Harry?" Seamus spoke. 

Gryffindor just laughed with eyes full of mirth. He was laughing at them, he knew. 

"Of course not! It's Draco Malfoy!"

That... made a strange sort of sense. By the laughter coming from the Slytherins he didn't know the half of it. 

"You mean the boy who walked up to THE Harry Potter and said to ditch his friends for him cause he was better? How could I have ever guessed?" Blaise cackled. 

A breathless Theo broke in next. "Or the fact he always rushed into things, like thinking he wouldn't get in trouble by reporting Potter or after curfew–after curfew."

"Or the fact he always protected us." Tracy's voice rang out softly. "Like when he made sure I wasn't bullied, or Blaise was never looked down on because of his mom, or Theo had a safe place from... you know. " She looked towards them as she spoke about each. 

Theo softened almost instantaneously, looking to Tracy with fondness. "We know, we're his friends, of course we know." He got a small mischievous smirk on his face after finishing, though. "That doesn't mean we can't take the mickey out of him for being a total, thoughtless, dramatic, prat. Because he is. That doesn't mean he isn't a good person as well, however. Just an...acquired.. taste."

Tracy gave a slight scoffing laugh, muttering how he was right, before she spoke again. "Should he be here?" No one seemed to answer – the portrait being in silent discussion – before one of them finally answered. 

Gryffindor got their attention quickly before speaking. "You have things to do and learn here before you can help the young boy. To learn how to. Why dont you take the afternoon to settle, the elf will bring your lunch."

"I have a question if that's ok?" Stephen spoke up. 

"Go ahead, young one." Hufflepuff spoke kindly. 

"Why is it that Ravenclaw isn't with you?"

They all looked to each other in silent conversation before Gryffindor spoke for them. 

"Tha has to do with what you will learn tomorrow. Please be patient."

With that they all nodded and filed out of the room. Hannah closed her eyes briefly before two doors appeared on either side of the heir room – which had been directly across from where they came in. They found their dorms, mercifully, each a single room accessible by the hallway each door led to. 

there was also a door in the middle. This one led to a large Hall. While half the size of the Great Hall, it held them and more comfortably. An elf who introduced himself as Dobby brought them lunch. They passed the day in comfortable companionship, after a debriefing of the meeting with Rita of course. 

They had to end the day eventually though. 

Saying goodnight, Seamus lay in his bed and thought about all the new information he'd heard today – none pertaining to why they were here in the first place. He could only sleep and wait for what would be revealed tomorrow. And as his mind drifted off, he'd spared a thought for Harry – hoping he was ok.