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(Franciscus) Rumor Has It
Author: Griet
Date: 10-16-16 08:59
Franciscus and Paton started to go to Briar's Bakery to get something to eat, since they'd skipped breakfast in the Great Hall, but by the time they arrived in Hogsmeade, the line at the bakery was already out the door. They decided to come back later if they didn't starve to death first and continued on to MacFusty's Pets.
"I really don't think you're going to find one there," Franciscus told his cousin.
Paton shrugged. "Maybe not, but it is a pet store and people do keep phoenixes for pets."
His name had been drawn to participate in the Best in Show: Magical Creatures event. Paton hadn't yet fully decided on an animal, though he was leaning heavily towards a phoenix.
"Besides, don't you think Professor Kent will help you get one so that you don't have to buy one yourself, assuming you can even find one?"
Paton shrugged again. "Probably. I just want to see what the pet store has, okay?"
"Okay," Franciscus replied. He tried to keep his tone light because he knew Paton was feeling extra moody. Over the summer, Paton had moved out of his childhood home and into the home of his mother's boyfriend. Flavius Flaversham was not very likable, but his two kids were even worse. The oldest, Fulvia, was a ten year old snob. Festus, age eight, was disgusting in all ways imaginable. Paton had felt like the odd one out and had been very glad to return to Hogwarts when the time came.
Franciscus and Paton almost reached the pet shoppe, when fellow sixth year student Ellie Mae Chamberlain waved them over to join her group. Hubert MacBadger, Bernard Ollis and Edgar Zhou were gathered around, all wearing very amused expressions on their faces.
"You've got to hear this," Edgar told Franciscus and Paton, when they came closer.
Ellie Mae looked so very pleased with herself and explained, "Last night, I went for a run around the grounds and saw Professor Miller and Professor McGonagall go into the magical RV together."
"So?" Paton asked.
"So," Ellie Mae said, "after a few minutes, the whole RV started rocking." She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"No way," Franciscus said. "They were probably making sure it's still in working order."
"Oh, Franciscus. What sort of inspection would cause the whole thing to rock back and forth?" Ellie Mae asked.
"I think she has a point," Bernard said, grinning. "The RV's not supposed to rock. It drives and flies, doesn't it?"
"Maybe there's something wrong with the RV," Franciscus said, "which would explain the rocking."
"How do you explain the fact that the two came out of the RV looking flushed and in disarray?" Ellie Mae questioned.
"Are you suggesting that Professor Miller and Professor McGonagall are having an affair?" Paton asked.
"What were you even doing out there for that long?" Franciscus asked.
Ellie Mae answered Franciscus first. "My shoelaces needed tightening, so I stopped and that's when I saw everything. When I realized something was up, I hung around to get the evidence. And yes," she said, turning to Paton, "they are totally having an affair. I wonder if Professor Sacheverelle knows."
She spotted a few other classmates then and waved them over to gossip with them. Franciscus and Paton peeled away from the group, then, and went into the pet shoppe.
"Think it's true?" Paton asked. He was trying not to picture it in his mind, but it was hard not to think about it. He also knew he would definitely wonder about it the next time he was inside the RV.
"No way," Franciscus said. "I'm sure there's a perfectly good explanation for what Ellie Mae saw. Her 'evidence' is pure speculation. Look. There's a phoenix."
An adult, healthy-looking bird sat on a perch in a golden cage. Paton admired the beautiful animal and spoke to one of the employees about what it took to care for one. He ended up leaving without making a purchase, because he did want to talk to Professor Kent first, but he was more set than ever on showing a phoenix for the SAT.
He and Franciscus doubled-back to the bakery, passing Ellie Mae once more. She had totally different group of bewildered classmates standing around her.
(Fleur) It's a Trap
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 10-16-16 14:37
Fleur bypassed the security checkpoint, calling out a greeting to the guards she knew, and took note of the fact that a dozen or so wands were in a gray bin on the guard's desk. He shrugged his shoulders when he saw her looking, not at all certain why he'd been instructed to confiscate a bunch of sticks that could do little more than poke someone in the eye.
Fleur continued on to where her desk was located and put her purse in the large, bottom drawer. She checked her inbox for things requiring her immediate attention and looked up sharply when Jessica Dark seemingly materialized out of nowhere.
"You're needed to take notes," Jessica said.
Fleur was both surprised and not surprised to see "Jessica" there. She grabbed a notebook and a couple of pens and followed Jessica out of the front office, down one corridor and then another, and then down a stairwell, leading to a dimly lit hallway with thick, industrial walls. They walked for ages in silence, with the only sounds being the buzzing of overhead lights and their high heels clicking on the floor. Finally, Jessica stopped before a thick metal door, in front of which stood a guard. He unbolted the door, let them in, and shut the door behind them.
Fleur found herself in a bunker, probably the place the Prime Minister went whenever there was a threat of attack. Maybe he'd gone to this room when the Kingsley Shacklebolt look-alike bombed his front door.
The room itself was quite large. It had a boardroom table in the middle, around which two dozen high-backed, rolling chairs were arranged. Most of the chairs were occupied. Fleur recognized Tiberius Ogden, who was really Alastor Moody, and a few other Ministry of Magic staff members. Those she didn't recognize she knew to be wizards, because they were dressed completely outlandishly. One wizard wore green and yellow plaid pants, a frilly white shirt, and a baby blue tuxedo jacket. Another wore something straight out of the sixteenth century.
The other individuals in the room were a select few members of the Prime Minister's cabinet, as well as the Prime Minister himself. Those select few looked either ill at ease, skeptical, or angry. There were a few armed bodyguards leaning against the walls, too.
Jessica sat down in the seat nearest to the door, leaving Fleur to move across the room, near to where the Prime Minister sat. He seemed a bit startled to see her, Fleur noted. She smiled at him reassuringly, mistaking his wariness for being in a room full of wizarding officials. He opened his mouth as if to say something to her, but then he changed his mind.
"Shall we get started?"
This came from the Secretary of State for Defence.
The Prime Minister started and said, "Yes. I've invited you distinguished guests for the purpose of solving the problem between our two governments. My wish is to come up with a solution with you, the most senior members of your government, and of course with your Minister for Magic. I'd rather hoped he would attend this meeting."
Fleur, taking notes, had not heard that Kingsley had received an invitation to the meeting. As far as she knew, he hadn't.
"We couldn't possibly allow him to come without knowing your true intentions," said Moody as Ogden.
"The world thinks he tried to kill me," the Prime Minister reminded. He felt suddenly emboldened and somewhat annoyed, too. "The world, not knowing who you people really are, thinks London is under attack. I know what's really going on, and the members of my cabinet now know it too. I know it's allegedly tradition for the Prime Minister to keep mum about your world, but these are trying times and I will not stand by and let magic harm my people or my city."
Griselda Marchbanks, wearing a yellow raincoat and matching wellies, explained, "The danger lies not with the ordinary wizard, but with those who practice the dark arts."
The Leader of the House of Lords rolled his eyes heavenward and scoffed, "The dark arts!"
"If you didn't believe in magic, then you wouldn't have forced us to part with her wands at the security checkpoint," Marchbanks pointed out. "You may have questioned what caused the attacked on your city when they first happened, but you know what your Prime Minister has told you is true. Magic is real, and in the wrong hands, it poses a danger to Muggles such as yourself."
"I beg your pardon!" exclaimed the Leader of the House of Lords, assuming that 'Muggle' was a derogatory word.
"There's no place in the world for magic," the Prime Minister quietly said. "I've only ever seen it cause destruction, and I cannot allow it, or you, to continue with it any further."
"There's been magic for as long as there have been Muggles. It won't go away, not ever," said Edgar Myles, a high-ranking official with the Hit Wizards. He said it not unkindly, but he did not like the direction the Prime Minister was going.
The Prime Minister sighed and looked over to his guards. "You've put me in a very difficult position," he announced to the collective group. "My priority is to my country and I will do whatever it takes to protect her." The phrase 'whatever it takes' was said a second time and more quietly, as if he was reassuring himself that what happened next was a necessity for the good of the world.
A moment later, the Prime Minister was on his feet, moving backwards to the far wall. Everything happened quickly after that. The handful of guards pulled guns out of holsters and took fire at the oddly dressed wizards, while the Muggles in the room ducked below the desk. Fleur had her wand strapped to her thigh and yanked it out, while Moody, who'd given up Ogden's wand at the security checkpoint, withdrew his from his inside coat pocket.
Fleur cast a shield charm, not at all sure if it would stop a bullet from striking Griselda Marchbanks, but it did. She accio'ed one of the guard's guns and knocked him out with a stunning spell. The noise in the concrete room was deafening, and it made her ears feel like they were stuffed with cotton.
At first, Fleur didn't think she would get out alive. She and Moody were only two people, up against a handful of guards with firearms and very angry and frightened Muggles who would do anything to survive. Even the Prime Minister wanted wizards dead. He looked at Fleur as Nellie with horror and disgust in his eyes. How could he have not realized that she, too, was a witch?
Fleur quickly realized there was a third wand in the room, being brandished by Jessica, who looked enraged. Jessica didn't know or particularly care why Tiberius Ogden still had his wand, but she had loathed Nellie for a while now and couldn't believe she hadn't realized Nellie was a witch. They dueled each other on top of the boardroom table.
"I knew there was something annoying about you!" shouted Jessica.
"Ditto!" Fleur cried back. She slashed her wand at Jessica's hairline, causing the red bobbed wig to slip off and onto the floor. The wig wasn't enough to give Adriana away completely, but she didn't feel like hiding her identity anymore. She wanted to reveal herself to the bitch she was about to kill.
"Nellie, Nellie," Adriana sing-songed. "You have no idea what you've done, but I can tell you this will be the last thing you'll ever do. I hope your efforts have been worth it, though I'd guess you've solved nothing. Who are you working for, Nellie? Kingsley?"
"Who are YOU working for?" Fleur retorted. "Adriana?"
Adriana's grinned. "Sure. Me, myself, and I."
Fleur didn't immediately understand, but then Moody shouted out, "Fairchild!" and moved around the table to duel with Adriana.
Adriana expertly dueled them both. "You know who I am, but I don't know who you are. You're not the real Tiberius Ogden, are you?"
"I'm not here to play get-to-know-you," Moody snapped. "I came to see what this meeting was all about, but now I also get to end your reign of terror, one way or another."
The door to the bunker suddenly burst open, and the guard Fleur had seen on the way in burst inside with a few friends. Gunfire erupted again, while someone quickly escorted the Prime Minister and other dignitaries out. It's a miracle no one was caught in the crossfire. Fleur quickly cast her patronus, which sped past the fleeing Muggles to reach the Order of Phoenix members waiting nearby.
"We have to stop them!" Fleur shouted at Moody. The Prime Minister and his cabinet needed to be corralled and obliviated, and if possible, Kingsley's name needed to be cleared.
"Go!" Moody shouted.
Fleur dodged the guards, disarming one and knocking out another, and then ran out into the dimly lit hallway. Moody, meanwhile, kept dueling with Adriana.
She pouted at him and said, "I didn't expect you two to try and ruin my fun."
"Sorry for the inconvenience!" Moody growled.
Shouts were heard in the hall, and lights danced off the concrete walls from spells.
Adriana realized she needed to make her exit and fast. "This didn't quite go as I expected, but I suppose I can't complain." She smiled wickedly and said, "Sorry for your loss." She flicked her eyes at the dead bodies in the room and then disapparated with a loud, reverberating crack.
(Patricia) Je m'appelle Patricia
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 10-16-16 15:38
Patricia and Susan walked together down Hogsmeade's main street. This was the very first visit to the village for both of them, and they had a lot of shops they wanted to enter and explore. They stopped for a moment in front a closed establishment. The windows were dusty and the door clearly locked. A sign announced the place was once known as Petals.
"What do you think this used to be?" Patricia asked. "Maybe a florist?"
Susan shrugged her shoulders, saying she was going to ask her sister about it. They continued on their way and their first stop was a shop called Twice Told Tales. Patricia loved the shop's atmosphere, with so many books of different sizes and covers. They were able to pick up the books from the shelves, and open them, taking a peak at its contents. Finally, she chose a small book and placed herself in the line to buy it.
"What are you buying?" Susan asked.
Patricia showed her the small second handed pocket English-French dictionary.
"For my trip to Beaxbatons. I still can't believe I am going to France!" she said, almost squeaking with joy.
She had been chosen to participate in the Runic Rodeo challenge. The event was going to take place at the Beaxbatons Academy of Magic. Patricia had never left the United Kingdom before and from all places she could possible go France sounded the most charming to her. She had heard about the French, their elegance and class, and she was very curious about them. Of course she was a bit worried how she would do in the competition. She started learning Ancient Runes only this year, so her knowledge wasn't very wide yet. However, being chosen for the Runic Rodeo challenge had made her work harder in that class, more than any other else. Sometimes she would sketch the runes she had learned, and name them, as a memory exercise.
Patricia opened the dictionary.
"Je m'appelle Patricia," she read.
Susan laughed, teasing Patricia's thick accent. Patricia felt a little bit offended, and she continued to read random words from the dictionary. Susan couldn't stop laughing and soon Patricia was laughing as well, because her accent was really bad. So bad it was really funny. She needed a lot of practice if she wanted to be able to speak a little bit of French.
The girls walked out of the shop after Patricia bought the dictionary. As they were on their way out, Caleb was on his way in. Their bodies clashed. He muttered a 'hello', and she said 'hi' back, with little enthusiasm, as he made space for her to leave, holding the door for the two girls. Always a gentleman, Patricia thought, but then she shook those thoughts away. She was supposed to be angry at him after that awful kiss last year.
Rumor
Author: Kody
Date: 10-16-16 20:21
Their official season opener a week away, the Ballycastle Bats have been practicing practically since dawn. The head coach finally calls an end for the day. Some are surprised they aren't told to return that afternoon for another round but another says he'd heard there is a birthday party, the wife's he thinks. Whatever the reason, the Bats are not complaining at having a respite given that practices this coming week will be even more intensified.
Heading for the locker room to clean up and change Aine McGeoghan says to Kody, "I saw Daria yesterday. I can't believe she's not showing."
Kody shakes his head in a double take. "Not showing? Huh? Not showing what?"
Aine giggles. "The bun in her oven."
Another shake of the head as if he's not hearing quite correctly. "Pardon?"
Aine's giggles become a full, throaty laugh. "Don't tell me you've never heard that expression."
"I've heard it. I just have no idea what you're talking about."
Aine stops to look straight at Kody. "I'm talking about how you and your bride are expecting."
"Unless I was married to another woman in such a secret ceremony I know nothing about it and have no memory of the honeymoon, my wife and I aren't currently expecting."
"No?"
"No."
"And here I thought the rumor mill was true for once."
"There's a rumor that we're having a baby?"
"Yes, for months now, ever since you two eloped. Gossip is that since you two have been together awhile only to suddenly secretly elope, Daria must be preggers."
"How is it I've not heard this before?"
"No idea. It's been a hot topic since word got out you'd married. There are bets going as to whether it's a boy or a girl, when it will arrive, how much the baby will weigh, just to name a few."
Kody shrugs in a what can I say manner. "Um, sorry to disappoint."
They start walking again, Aine teasing that Kody should hurry home and see about getting that bun in the oven baking just to appease those placing the various bets.
Flying and Quidditch Workshop
Author: Viktor Krum
Date: 10-17-16 20:51
When Viktor was at the pitch earlier this morning to make sure everything was ready for the day's flying and Quidditch workshop he found all he had done the evening before as he'd left it. He was in the middle of seeing that the obstacle courses he's had up all week were still functioning properly when Marjani arrived. She'd offered to help with the workshop and as he always does when she offers, he accepted.
To Viktor's chagrin, Marjani invited Theodosia to come with her. Or perhaps Theodosia came on her own and Marjani saw no reason to tell her she should do something else today.
Viktor is still hurt and angry over the death deception Theodosia had agreed to perpetrate. He understands the reasons but does not agree with the method used. He sees no reason that someone couldn't have eventually filled Zuberi, Marjani, and he in on what was happening. Even the manner in which Theodosia reentered their lives was badly done in his opinion, just showing up like that.
There are still days he wonders if all this isn't some sort of hideously sick prank.
Initially, Marjani and Zuberi were as upset and as angry as Viktor but once over the shock of her reappearance they were also estactic to have Theodosia back. In the days since then they have gotten over the anger. Both still can get upset and emotional but they are no longer angry.
Theodosia has been staying at the house while she gets resettled. Most of her belongings had been in storage though most of her clothes were either used by Marjani or given away. She has gotten a part-time job at Wright College, St. Emrys, and a part-time job at the Ministry of Magic in the Department of Magical Games and Sports.
Viktor has not been staying at the house, learning of Theodosia's progress mainly through Zuberi and Marjani, and usually that information is given unsolicited by him. He has, for the most part, shown indifference to the situation when around those two.
He put on that air of indifference when Theodosia showed up with Marjani, telling them when asked, "Yes, there are plenty of ways to help."
Wth no house teams this school year, a number of students have come to the workshop to get in some Quidditch. Others came to get in my air time in hopes of eventually being selected for one of the many broom racing events with the Scholastic Aptitude Tournament. Some, as always, come because they are not allowed into Hogsmeade and the workshop is something to do that doesn't involve schoolwork on a Saturday. No matter the reason for attending, there are a number of students to keep busy. Viktor had no lied when he said there were plenty of ways for Theodosia to help.
Making some suggestions to two who have just flown on one of the obstacle courses, Viktor thinks it is good to have so much to keep busy at the moment because otherwise he might give into the temptation to go yell at Theodosia, letting her know just how angry he still is with her.
Reinforcements
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 10-18-16 19:05
Harry was one of the Order members on standby though when pegged for it few thought anything would come of the meeting with Fleur as Nellie Leblanc and Alastor Moody as Tiberius Ogden in attendance. The meeting was to be an effort to repair the political damage caused by the Kingsley look alike's bombing of #10 Downing Street and to, hopefully, convince the Prime Minister and others of the Muggle government attending the meeting that Kingsley Shacklebolt is innocent. Having Harry and others as possible backup was just a precaution.
They were just a precaution until Fleur's patronus appeared. Thanks to a locator spell on both Fleur and Alastor, anyone responding to the patronus could apparate nearby the vicinity of either of the two, a necessity given the size of the building and only supposition on Fleur's part as to where the meeting would take place. Good thing too because as soon as Harry appears in a poorly lighted hallway, he doesn't think he's anywhere near the conference room Fleur had indicated on the building's floor plan.
There's no time to ask Fleur the situation. She's busy holding off a guard armed with a gun. Around him other Order members appear, wands at the ready. Harry goes through a nearby door, through which the distinct sounds of fighting emanate. A wizard with a wand, Alastor as Tiberius, is losing ground to other armed adversaries as he attempts to shield members of the Wizarding committee. There are bodies, Wizarding and Muggle, around the room though Harry has no idea at this point whether they are alive, dead, or a mix.
"Thank, Merlin!" Alastor exclaims at the sight of reinforcements.
The newly arrived Order members are able to overcome the guards fairly quickly, though not without injury. Harry takes a bullet through his non-wand arm, though he's fairly certain it's what would be called a through and through. Bloody painful but only muscle and skin injured.
It's only as kicking a gun away from a now subdued guard that Harry hears someone mention Adriana's name. If she had something to do with any of this, he can't say he's surprised. If she is behind this then the horror stricken words of a practically sobbing Prime Minister are not only believable but likely true as he looks on in shock at the injured and the dead. "My God! I never wanted this but I couldn't stop myself from orchestrating this debacle!"
The man was either Imperiused or heavily influenced using magic of some sort or Harry's dear cousin coached him well in how to react should the plan go to hell.
The Muggles suddenly go quiet, even those injured who'd been moaning in pain. The tension in the room ratchets up several notches as Kingsley Shacklebolt enters. As he does he instructs someone to call for the Obliviators. He says nothing else as they wait other than telling one of the Order members taking one of the injured in a side along apparition to St. Mungo's to bring back at healer or two to see to the wounded Muggles.
Harry takes up a position with wand trained on some of the guards thinking he might be late for his Saturday manning the complaints desk.
Should Have Been In Hogsmeade
Author: Georgia Copperpot
Date: 10-20-16 19:52
Edwina makes a face at Sylvestor that reminds him of the disapproving expression a great aunt perpetually wears. He rolls his eyes. "What?"
"You don't see me complaining about not getting to go to Hogsmeade."
Sylvestor snorts. "You aren't the one who was supposed to be there today instead of here."
"No one made you stick your bare bum out the train window."
"I didn't think it was a big deal or that we'd be caught."
Plopping down beside them Libby points out, "You got in a lot of practice for the broom races."
"Broom races that I might not be picked for."
Bertie, sitting beside Libby, goodnaturedly says, "But you might be so practice is good plus you got in some Quidditch."
Sylvestor sighs. "You lot just don't understand. Hogsmeade. I should have been in Hogsmeade."
Libby grins. "At least Fitzwilliam didn't go without you."
"Not because he was being, what's that word? Charbitle."
"Charitable," Edwina corrects.
"Yeah, that. He's in the hospital wing with a stomach virus or he'd have been the first out the gate this morning."
Edwina shakes her head. "You're hopeless." To the others she suggests, "Let's go get supper."
Libby, Bertie, and she leave a moping Sylvestor sitting on the pitch sidelines, discussing the now ended workshop and how they'd each done in each of the various broom races, which included obstacle courses, that Coach Krum had for them today.
Rule-Breaking
Author: Ethan Somerset
Date: 10-20-16 20:11
Ethan wandered into Honeydukes, thinking he would buy some treats and bring them to Oliver, who as a second year, wasn't yet old enough to visit Hogsmeade. At first, Ethan thought he might grab a couple of things and then be on his way, but he ended up getting a basket and buying more than initially planned.
The sweetshop was very crowded, especially as it was nearing the end of the day and the visiting Hogwarts students would soon be required to return to the castle. Ethan stepped around the long queue at the registers to reach for a chocolate wand, when he did a double-take. Standing in line was Oliver, who was wearing a sweatshirt hoodie in a bid to disguise himself, in case anyone might recognize him and realize he wasn't supposed to be in the village.
Ethan marched over and pulled down Oliver's hood. The boy gave a start and nearly dropped his overflowing basket. "Uncle Ethan!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"I think the question is, what are you doing here?"
"Shopping for sweets?"
"That's not what I meant and you know it," Ethan stated. "How did you get past Professor McGonagall?"
Oliver opened and closed his mouth, not sure if he should give up his secret, especially since he might incriminate his friends in the process. One day, he'd been waiting for a staircase to change and had overheard some rather drunk occupants of a painting discuss a hidden passageway to Hogsmeade. He'd passed the information along to Rand, who'd brought Grace in on the news. Based on the somewhat incoherent ramblings of the drunk figures in the painting, the three had ultimately managed to figure out where the secret passageway was located, and just in time for the first Hogsmeade trip.
The plan had initially been to just see if the passageway really led into the village, but upon seeing that it led straight into Honeydukes, they decided to push their luck and see if they could get away with buying sweets. Oliver offered to be the one to venture out into the open, while the others remained hidden.
"Well?" Ethan asked, when Oliver didn't immediately reply.
"It was really crowded," Oliver finally said. "I guess she just didn't see me."
"I know for a fact you spent the morning at the flying workshop, so you didn't slip by when student traffic into the village was at its thickest," Ethan countered. He looked around and asked, "Where are they?"
"Who?" Oliver asked. He knew exactly who his uncle meant, but he feigned innocence. As long as Rand and Grace stayed hidden, then they wouldn't get caught. Too bad they were so out of sight, though, that they didn't even know he'd just gotten busted. They could be making their escape back to the castle but were probably waiting for him to return with the tasty loot.
"Fine," Ethan finally said. He didn't see his nephews friends anywhere. "Put that basket down and come with me."
Oliver started to say, "But…", but he didn't when he saw the look in his uncle's eyes. Ethan also abandoned his basket and marched Oliver out of the sweetshop. They went next door, where Briar was serving her last-minute customers. She looked surprised to see Oliver, knowing he wasn't eligible to visit Hogsmeade yet, but she also noticed how displeased Ethan looked and suspected what had taken place.
After ringing up the last customer, she came around the front counter.
Ethan spoke first. "Oliver snuck into Hogsmeade. He's pretending like he arrived here alone, but he avoids eye contact when he's lying, so I suspect there's more to his story."
"There's not, and I don't," Oliver countered. He made deliberate eye contact with his uncle, and then quickly looked at Briar to prove his point. She stared back, but he couldn't maintain contact for very long and eventually looked down at his shoes.
"Is there anything you want to tell us, Oliver?" Ethan quietly asked.
Oliver glumly answered, "No."
"Is Grace here?" Briar asked, in a kind but also no-nonsense manner.
"No," Oliver answered, but he thought, Not technically. She was next door, if she was anywhere, but hopefully she was already back at Hogwarts.
"Fine, Oliver," Ethan said. "I'll be writing to your parents tonight, and you just lost Gryffindor twenty points. We're heading back to the castle now."
Oliver looked petulant, but he didn't want to make things worse by protesting. Besides, if Rand got caught, then that was probably another twenty points Gryffindor would lose. He also didn't want Grace losing points or getting in trouble with her mother.
Ethan gave Briar a quick peck on the cheek and said, "I'll let you know if I find anything else out." He marched Oliver back to the castle after that, with plans to inform Professor McGonagall about Oliver's rule-breaking and to see if Rand Prinsloo and Grace Valentine were where they were supposed to be.