Chapter 4
All I recall is hands grabbing at my arms, as I pushed towards the exit of the quidditch pitch. I heard screaming, as I slammed my hands against the protective barrier the professors had cast around the area. I later realized it was my own voice I heard screaming, crying, and pleading to let me get to her. Poppy wraps her arms around my shoulders, as I collapse to the ground. I feel Ominis’ hand on my face, as he tries to provide words of comfort, but nothing they can offer me will calm me. My heart is fighting for her life, and nothing will comfort me, until I can hold her in my arms again.
”Sebastian!” Ominis shakes me, as my breathing becomes erratic. “You need to take a deep breath and calm down. If you don't, the professors will have to give you a calming draught, then you’ll be no help to Artemis when she comes out of this!”
His words somehow ring through my head. I try to take a few shaky breaths, before slumping against the wall. I felt like my heart was crumbling. Artemis was somewhere fighting, and none of us could help her. We all sat and waited, coming up with plans to help her, but there was no getting past the barrier. I wanted to curse the world for always putting Artemis in the worst situations.
It felt like an eternity, that we sat on that cold, hard ground, but in reality it couldn’t have been more than an hour. The entire school watched in silence, as the barrier parted just long enough to allow a handful of professors in. Professor Sharp and Professor Weasley stepped to the center of the field, where Professor Weasley transfigured a chair into a small stage. Both professors stepped up silently to the platform.
“Afternoon everyone,” Professor Weasley began, using her wand to amplify her voice. “I would like to start by easing your worries. Hogwarts is safe. Everyone here is safe. There was an incident, which took place within caverns beneath the school today. I will give Professor Sharp a moment to shed more light on that, but please know you are all safe. Classes will be cancelled for the remainder of the week, to allow time to process and grieve the aftermath of such an event.”
My heart clenches. Grieve? Who? I glance at Natty, Poppy, and Ominis, who all seem just as panicked as I feel. I feel like I can’t breathe. My body can’t function until I know who we are grieving, and if it’s her, I will never function again. I stare breathless, as Professor Sharp steps forward.
“Earlier this afternoon, there was an attack on the school. Ranrock and his followers were after an ancient power that was stored deep beneath the school. None of us were aware this ancient power even existed. Your peer, Artemis Blackthorne, and Professor Fig led us to defend the school. We assisted them with battling Ranrock’s followers, but we were separated from both of them, when they followed Ranrock deeper into the caverns. Aurors quickly arrived, and helped us defeat Ranrock’s followers. Meanwhile, a much darker fight was happening beneath us.”
I feel Ominis clench my arm, but all I can focus on is Professor Sharp’s words. I feel like I’m waiting for the words that will make my heart crumble. Part of me wants to run, so I never have to feel the sting of his words, but I can’t move.
“From what we’ve gathered, Ranrock did reach the power he was after, but was stopped by Miss Blackthorne and Professor Fig. There is an ongoing investigation, so I cannot say much more, but you all deserve to hear what happened. Unfortunately, Professor Fig lost his life during that battle, due to injuries sustained during the fight.”
I release a breath, and look at Natty, Ominis, and Poppy. Is it wrong to be relieved Artemis isn’t the one who died? It’s incredibly upsetting to lose such a wonderful professor, but my heart can carry on. Somewhere in the back of my mind, a voice reminds me of how close Artemis and Professor Fig are- were. I can’t imagine what it was like for her to fight alongside him and lose him. I pray she didn’t have to watch.
”Miss Blackthorne sustained several injuries during the battle. She has refused to go to St. Mungos, but she is required to rest and take time away from classes. Without the two of them, I can confidently say Hogwarts would not be standing and we would be facing a threat to the Wizarding World.”
Professor Sharp finishes talking, but I’ve stopped listening. I have to get to her. He said she was injured, and for them to consider taking her to St. Mungos, then it must have been serious. My foot taps, as Professor Garlick comes forward to talk about grief and healing. I’m so unfocused, that I don’t notice Professor Weasley has left the small stage.
“Excuse me,“ comes a soft voice from my left. I glance over to see Professor Weasley. “Can you four follow me, please?”
Natty, Ominis, Poppy, and I follow Professor Weasley toward the school