Another Potter

forty

chapter forty
the prisoner of azkaban

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"The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle," Professor Dumbledore told all the students as Professors McGonagall and Flitwick closed all doors into the hall. "I'm afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Girl in charge. Any disturbance should be reported to me immediately," he added to Percy, who was looking immensely proud and important. "Send word with one of the ghosts."

Professor Dumbledore paused, about to leave the hall, and said, "Oh, yes, you'll be needing. . . ."

One casual wave of his wand and the long tables flew to the edges of the hall and stood themselves against the walls. Another wave, and the floor was covered with hundreds of squashy purple sleeping bags.

"Sleep well," said Professor Dumbledore, closing the door behind him.

The hall immediately began to buzz excitedly. The second Harry saw his sister standing with her friends her ran to her.

"Amy!" 

Amelia turned around and her eyes went wide. She ran to Harry and hugged him tightly. 

"Oh my god, are you okay?"  she asked as Harry let go of her.

"A bloody murderer is looking for you and you're asking me if I'm okay?" he asked as she nodded. 

"Well he was trying to get into your house thing," she said as Harry nodded.

"True," he said as Amelia smiled.

"But I'm fine," she said as Harry nodded.

"Okay," he said as she smiled. "I'll see you later."

"If we survive the night," she said laughing as she walked over to her friends. Daphne grinned as the brunette walked over. "Why are you smiling like that, it's creeping me out."

"I told you you were the girl he liked," Daphne said as Amelia laughed.

"Shut up," she said. 

"Everyone into their sleeping bags!" shouted Percy. "Come on, now, no more talking! Lights out in ten minutes!" 

Amelia and Daphne seized three sleeping bags and dragged them into a corner. Draco, Blaise, Crabbe and Goyle joined them with Pansy and Millicent right behind them.

"Do you think Black's still in the castle?" Daphne whispered anxiously as Amelia sat cross-legged, tying her long hair into .

"Dumbledore obviously thinks he might be," said Millicent as Amelia looked at her.

"How are you feeling?" Blaise asked Amelia. She shrugged. 

"He was in the wrong house for starters so that's funny," she said, "and instead of being nearly killed by a troll, a man with two heads or being possessed by a fucking diary, I'm being hunted down by a murderer. Somebody clearly doesn't want me to have an education."

"El," Draco said as the brunette looked at him and chuckled.

"Honestly," she said, "I don't know."

"The lights are going out now!" Percy shouted. "I want everyone in their sleeping bags and no more talking!"

The candles all went out at once. The only light now came from the silvery ghosts, who were drifting about talking seriously to the prefects, and the enchanted ceiling, which, like the sky outside, was scattered with stars. What with that, and the whispering that still filled the hall, Harry felt as though he were sleeping outdoors in a light wind.