Severus's Pensieve

Disclaimer: I do not own the wonderful universe that is Harry Potter, nor do I own any of its magnificent characters. I write my stories simply for the pleasure of writing and to further enjoy this spectacular spectacle that is the wizarding world.

Chapter 1: Don't Ever Look Back
October 1981 ---

Marci Lynch was a professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She'd graduated herself a little over four years ago. She apprenticed under Professor Sprout for two years before the elderly witch decided to retire early to America; she decided to flee from the horrors that Lord Voldemort was supplying to Western Europe.

Marci couldn't blame her. Voldemort had plagued Marci's life since she was in her third year. He finally moved out into the public eye, claiming credit for the disappearances, unusual "natural disasters", and the attacks on Muggles and Muggle born witches and wizards.

For the last eight years, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named turned Britain, Ireland, and Scotland into a living hell. People were terrified to let their children go away to school and many were afraid to even leave the safety of their homes. If Voldemort decided to come after you though, locking your doors wouldn't keep him out. Marci in particular had lost everything to the bastard.

She shook her head at that thought. I refuse to dwell on the past, come on Marci, focus on the future, and focus on what you're doing here and now. Don't ever look back. Marci mentally chastised herself for breaking her one and only rule: never think on what you've lost, only on what you have to gain. Unfortunately, Marci didn't feel like she had much to gain tonight.

She looked out over the Great Hall. The number of students attending Hogwarts had dwindled this year. Only about two thirds of the original student body had been allowed to come back to Hogwarts. Parents were much keener on home schooling their children now that they thought they may never see them again. This year's first year class only held fifteen students. It was the smallest class she'd ever seen. It worried her. Hogwarts was her home and if the board of governors ever decided to shut the school down, Marci didn't know where she would go.

Professor Vector, the Arithmancy teacher, interrupted her train of thought and asked Marci, "My dear, how is Miss Bachelder doing in France? Has she finished her apprenticeship with Madam Prideaux?"

Marci smiled at the elderly professor, glad to have a distraction from her morbid thoughts. "Yes, she has, Professor Vector. Beauxbatons has decided to split the Arithmancy classes between the two. Alisha has taken the first through third years and Madam Prideaux has the fourth through seventh years," Marci replied

"That's wonderful! She was always my brightest student. I am glad she is doing well. Is she enjoying the Mediterranean climate there? I can imagine it's not quite what she is use to, coming from Alaska and all."

"Alisha is use to traveling and she's pretty good at acclimating to new cultures. I think she enjoys the warmer weather. She's having a ball exploring France more. She's pretty eager to travel the rest of Europe during summer holiday."

"Wonderful! I was talking to Madam Hooch earlier and she was giving me the latest statistics on Miss Jensen as well. It seems our little Hufflepuff is doing quite well for herself in the Quidditch realm?"

Marci laughed, wondering how Jeanne would react to being referred to as "our little Hufflepuff". It was true though. Jeanne was a Hufflepuff. She was also a pretty petite woman. It was what made her such a successful seeker, besides her raw skill. She was light, tiny, and agile: all the great qualities of a seeker. "Yes, it does seem the Holyhead Harpies are doing well this season, they are undefeated. Last time I spoke with her, she was hoping they would make it to the World Cup this year. She plays Canada in the next few days and I've heard they have really picked up their game the last four years. It'll be interesting to see who wins. Canada's got two new beaters and I've heard they are rather ruthless with the bludgers. Jeanne better be watching herself."

"She was always so quick on a broom. One of the best players Hogwarts has ever seen. I am sure she can dodge whatever those beaters send her way."

Marci laughed. "Yea, as long as her head isn't in the clouds, thinking about Josh."

"Ah yes, that boy does seem to distract her, doesn't he?"

"He does indeed, but I think that he's good for her; he grounds Jeanne in a way I've never seen before. He gets her mind off Quidditch once in a while."

Professor Vector shook her head. "I never thought I'd see the day when Miss Jensen was more interested in a boy than she was in Quidditch; Merlin knows she had plenty of prospective suitors while she was here. The boys tended to gravitate towards her what with her talent on a broom and all." Professor Vector took a drink of her pumpkin juice and took another bite of her pudding. "She never had a second look for any of them though, did she? How did she meet this Josh character anyway?"

"Well," Marci began, wiping her mouth and glancing around for a jug of water, "she was playing as a reserve seeker for the Oregonian Ogres, over in the United States. Josh was the captain and the keeper. When they started dating, Jeanne quit the team. Around the same time she got a call from the Harpies captain, requesting she tryout. Jeanne ended up blowing the other three potential seekers out of the water. I always wondered why she didn't get picked up by a major league team before that. She played for the Ogres for almost a year."

"I am glad to hear that your two friends are doing as well as you are, Marci. Give them my regards next time you owl them." With a wipe to her fingers and mouth, Professor Vector got up, muttering about number charts, and "those blasted Gryffindors". Marci laughed knowing Professor Vector was referring to the years of terror when James Potter and Sirius Black took her class just to have another class with Lily Evans. Marci rested her chin in her hand, trying not to think about her years at Hogwarts. They had not been pleasant. Sometimes she wondered why she had stayed here in the first place.

Marci surveyed the Great Hall again, checking up on her Hufflepuffs. They were all huddled at one end of their long house table; no doubt gossiping about Samantha Doyle. Marci had over heard her Hufflepuffs whispering about the scandal more than once today. The poor girl had been taken out of potions class to be told her parents had been arrested by the Ministry of Magic. They had been caught torturing their Muggle neighbors with two other Death Eaters, Vincent Zabini had been arrested, as well as his wife Priscilla.

As if Professor Slughorn could read her thoughts he leaned over his giant glass of mead and said, "Quite the gossip, eh ma' girl? What with the Doyles and Zabinis? Always thought highly of the Zabinis when they were here, that was before Vincent had married Priscilla, of course. I am sure it's all a misunderstanding. The ministry will sort it out and they'll be pardoned before we know it. Don't worry." She noted that the old man hadn't mentioned anything about the Doyles but that didn't surprise Marci as he'd always dismissed anyone that wasn't well connected or particularly gifted. Slughorn patted Marci's hand affectionately and shook his head, as if all of this were some sort of joke. The man obviously thought of her as some sort of pet still. But Marci had grown up since the days when she was a talented, naive student, easily flattered by the attention of a facetious professor.

Marci drew her hand out from under his, glaring. "Horace," Marci used his first name to show her disdain for his frivolous gossip, "this is a tragedy. A whole family of Muggles is in St. Mungos, with almost irrevocable brain damage from being tortured for hours on end. Four people are in Azkaban and I'm not convinced they are all guilty." Marci's voice had turned cold and she was shooting daggers with her eyes. She was familiar with the Doyles and they were kind, compassionate people; there were no better Hufflepuffs. It seemed almost impossible to Marci that this particular couple were in cohorts with Voldemort.

Horace laughed, obviously not catching on to Marci's icy tone. "Well, I'm sure the Zabinis will be fine, Ms. Lynch, there's no need to worry yourself. Justice will prevail." He took a deep drink from his goblet and rested his hands on his gigantic stomach.

Marci had had enough. It was one thing when the students let gossip run rampant among their ranks, but it was another for a professor to be speaking so flippantly about such situations. She crumpled the napkin in her hands and threw it down on top of her unfinished plate of food. "With all due respect Horace, Vincent Zabini can rot in Azkaban. He was cruel while he was a student here and I do not believe he so easily grew out of his sadistic habits. As for Priscilla, I shudder at the thought of her sharing a bed with that vicious man. But perhaps you think he should be exonerated for his misgivings in the wizarding world as easily as you excused his behavior while he was your ward here. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle have never harmed a single person as long as I have known them and as far as I can tell, they are exemplary people. We shall see who receives their due penalty in the end; as you say, justice will prevail." With that Marci pushed her chair from the table and turned her back on a sputtering Professor Slughorn.

As she walked behind him towards the house tables she heard him muttering, "Well, I've never..." Marci was not ashamed that she had so blatantly disrespected her elder. The man deserved to have a damper put on his idol worship of Zabini and the other Death Eaters that were once his surrogate children in Slytherin. She knew Horace did not favor the side of Darkness but he was not prone to believe the worst of people he once flattered and held in such high regard.

Marci mulled the whole situation over in her head. She had known Vincent and Priscilla while they were at Hogwarts. Vincent was in his sixth year when she'd started at Hogwarts; he was a prefect. Priscilla was in her own year, she'd even been a Hufflepuff like Marci. It wasn't a huge surprise to her that Vincent was a loyal Death Eater; she just couldn't imagine Priscilla being sympathetic to the cause. After all, Priscilla was Muggle-born but Marci wondered if she and Vincent kept that under wraps. It also wasn't a surprised that Vincent had been so attracted to Priscilla. She was beautiful and Vincent did tend to be possessive of beautiful things. Marci remembered the trophies he use to prance about the castle with. They were always beautiful young witches.

As Marci made her way past the house tables she heard bits and pieces of the student's conversations. "I heard You-Know-Who himself showed up before the Aurors got there and there was an epic battle..."

A fifth year Ravenclaw was saying, "Honestly, Justin, if that Mad-eye fellow hadn't have shown up, they probably wouldn't have been able to save those Muggles' minds. Saphira told me that they found the Doyles in the middle of a Satanic worship ritual and they were going to sacrifice the child..."

"That's enough," Marci snapped at the fifth year. "Ms. Johnstone, I expect you to be setting an example for the other students. After all, you are a prefect and I would hate to see you stripped of that title," Marci said acidly. "Ten points from Ravenclaw for gossiping."

Marci swirled back towards the Entrance Hall, leaving the two Ravenclaw students gawking after her. She was irritated at the whole situation and the lack of control Dumbledore held over gossip in the castle. He could easily put a stop to the rumors but he chose not to, for whatever reasons. Marci had no idea how the rest of the student body had found out about Samantha's parents so fast, but that was usually the way it was. There were very few secrets at Hogwarts. Gossip spread like wild fire here.

Hearing about Samantha's parents had been a shock to Marci. Unfortunately, she had been the one to have to tell Samantha. Samantha seemed to have been as astonished as Marci. Apparently she had no idea her parents were Death Eaters, and Marci wondered if they had been under the imperious curse. As far as she knew, Mr. and Mrs. Doyle were admitting to the torture. They weren't even trying to protect themselves. Perhaps, Marci pondered once again, they had been threatened or Samantha's life had been in danger and they were doing whatever they had to do to protect their daughter; as it was Marci possessed a number of letters that hinted at just that. That made more sense than the Doyles being sympathetic towards Voldemort's cause, especially after the letters Marci had received from the distraught parents earlier in the year.

This incident terrified students and staff at Hogwarts. Marci could tell that suddenly students were more wary of one another and less trusting of those they didn't know. They had always been terrified of the Slytherins, knowing some of the darkest wizards had come out of that house, but now they didn't know what to make of one another. If a family that had been firmly rooted in Hufflepuff history could become a supporter of You-Know-Who, then anyone could. Marci was afraid the students would start turning on one another, hexing each other at the slightest provocation, throwing around accusations of being a Death Eater left and right. She prayed to God that that wouldn't happen and that the students would trust one another and stand united.

Voldemort was tearing the wizarding world apart and Marci could barely stand by and watch. It took every ounce of self control not to quit teaching and join the Order of the Phoenix full time, doing operative work for Dumbledore. As it was, Dumbledore had her out on missions during school holidays and weekends. She patrolled Hogsmeade whenever they had students visiting the village. Marci was doing everything she could to raise as much hell for Voldemort as he'd raised for her. She had even fantasized about leaving her position at Hogwarts to work full time missions, as if Dumbledore would let her. He needed a herbologist whom he trusted. Marci grew a number of dangerous and outlawed plants in her private green house. Without some of the produce she provided, Dumbledore would be without many of the potion supplies he needed. Not to mention Marci was skilled at brewing potions. Dumbledore didn't fully trust Horace Slughorn, so he entrusted all of his brewing to her.

Outside the Great Hall, Marci ran into Minerva McGonagall. They were both on their way up to the Headmaster's office for the Order meeting. Marci nodded at her colleague. "Hello Minerva," Marci said courteously. She did not particularly feel like small talk at the moment. Thankfully Professor McGonagall was a no nonsense woman and had little patience for idle chit chat. She did however want to discuss the events surrounding the Doyles.

"What do you think Marcella?" Professor McGonagall asked, not having to explain further. Marci pursed her lips remembering her days as a student. Minerva never had gotten out of the habit of calling her by her full name. It was a habit left over from Marci's days as a student and it was oddly comforting.

"I think there are extenuating circumstances where the Doyles are concerned, perhaps even with Priscilla, but I have no doubt that Vincent is as guilty as he looks."

Minerva pursed her lips in agreement. "It does seem that way. What do you make of Priscilla's involvement and her marriage to Vincent?"

"I don't know Minerva. I spent seven years sleeping in the same room with her and going to classes with her. She was quiet, shy, and beautiful; we know how Vincent loves his trophies." Professor McGonagall narrowed her eyes, disapproving. "She never said a thing about being interested in the Slytherin boy. I don't even think they started dating until after she graduated. She was never one to gossip about boys. She was smart, kind and funny. She stuck up for the younger students and never let broken rules go unpunished, even if it was just a warning. She was a good prefect, just and fair. She treated everyone equally." Marci laughed despite herself. She'd just described the perfect Hufflepuff. "I just don't see that girl turning into a woman who tortures Muggles for sport."

"Perhaps there is more to this story than meets the eye, Marcella. I am sure Dumbledore is making a full investigation into the matter, especially considering the Doyles."

"I hope so. I don't want the Doyles to go down for something they were forced into, whether that was through imperious or threats. I know if Vincent has anything to do with it, they'll take the fall completely and he and Priscilla will get off Scott free. Come to think of it, I wonder if Vincent is willing to throw his own wife under the bus to save himself."

"Let's hope not. Dumbledore may speak on the matter tonight. As for throwing Priscilla under the bus, as you say, I would not put it past Vincent. I cannot count the number of times he let others take the fall for his rule breaking here at Hogwarts. I am sure he is no different now than he was then. I do foresee a problem if they decide to try him formally. He is from an old wizarding family who has been very influential in the community over the generations. He is held in high regard with the minister. His father still works for the ministry. I'm sure, as we speak, he is working on, how do I say this politely, Vincent's ...defense. I'm sure Vincent will be out of Azkaban before the night is up."

"Oh Minerva, phooey with being polite. Vincent doesn't deserve your sympathy," Marci said in a huff, instantly regretting her tone.

"Do not misunderstand me, Marcella; I hold no sympathy for Vincent Zabini. I simply do not wish to so openly declare my alliance where prying ears listen." Minerva inclined her head to a dark alcove at the top of the stairs. A sixth and seventh year Slytherin pair were inside, in a particularly compromising position.

Marci groaned. She did not want to deal with teenage hormones at the moment. Luckily Minerva saved her from the confrontation. "Excuse me, Mr. Campbell, Ms. Dickson. What exactly do you believe you are doing?" Minerva used her disciplinary tone, the one that had chilled Marci to her core when she was younger, the one that said, 'you know you're in trouble. Do not try talking your way out of it'. Apparently the Slytherin couple knew this tone as well. They jumped apart. The boy, Campbell, frantically tried to zip his trousers and tuck in his shirt. Dickson pulled at the hem of her skirt and stood there grinning like it was Christmas come early. Marci stood glaring down at the pair.

"That will be twenty points each from Slytherin, and a week's worth of detentions for both of you. I expect you both to be in my office tomorrow at six-"

Campbell took an angry step towards Minerva, his face turning red. "You can't do that!" he yelled, "I have Quidditch practice tomorrow and on Friday we have a match-" He didn't get to finish.

Minerva interrupted his tirade and said, "I was not under the impression being Quidditch captain allowed you to disregard the rules about public displays of affection, Mr. Campbell. Perhaps that was too mild of a term for what you were engaging in. That will be another five points for talking back. I expect you both in detention, Quidditch or not. I also expect you both to go and see Madam Pomfrey to acquire the necessary charms to protect yourselves. You will also need a firm lecture on the repercussion of your actions should you choose not to use the charms recommended by Madam Pomfrey." Minerva finished her reprimand with a straight face. Marci was doing everything she could to not burst into a fit of school girl giggles. Minerva had basically just given the two students the birds and the bees talk right there in the corridor.

Campbell looked like he was ready to explode. Luckily for him, his companion grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the alcove. "Come on Chris, let's go," she said, giggling.

"Mark my words; I will know if you do not go straight to your common room," Minerva said to their retreating backs.

Marci thought she heard the girl say, "Damn. That's okay; we can kick the firsties out of the study room." Marci shook her head.

"Minerva, you know you can't keep them from participating in...those kinds of extracurricular activities if they're hell bent on doing it." Marci turned scarlet at the last phrase of her sentence.

"Yes. When I send Filch in there to go clean their common room in a few minutes, they will think twice about their behavior next time." Professor McGonagall gifted Marci with a rare grin and turned towards the gargoyle on the other side of the corridor.

"Orange creamsicles," Marci murmured, shaking her head at the image of the couple being interrupted by Filch in a few minutes.

****

Dumbledore met them at the top of the revolving stair case with a grim look on his face. "Welcome ladies. Please come in," he said in subdued tones.

Marci gazed around the office and nodding at all the familiar faces: James and Lily Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Mad-eye Moody. Peter Pettigrew was cowering away from the glare Mad-eye was giving him. There were a number of other people that Marci knew by face but not by name.

Dorcas Meadows was not present. Marci frowned in concern. She had never known her mentor and friend to miss a meeting. Dorcas had taken Marci under her wing four years and helped Marci acclimate to full time Order work. She taught Marci defensive spells, counter curses, jinxes, and protective charms. There wasn't a week that went by when Dorcas didn't stop in for a cup of tea on her way to check in with Dumbledore. Marci frowned again at the grief in Dumbledore's eyes and prepared herself for the worst.

"Thank you all for coming tonight. We have a lot to discuss, but first I would like to inform you all that we have lost one of our own," Dumbledore said, his eyes misting up.

Marci's stomach began to hurt as she realized again that her mentor was nowhere to be seen; she forced her tears to and squared her shoulders. Marci already knew what was coming; no one had to tell her.

"Dorcas Meadows was found dead today. After investigating her death myself, I have found that Voldemort himself came for her. She put up a good fight. Unfortunately, Voldemort was stronger. Her body was recovered, as well as two others. They were Death Eaters. Dorcas did not go down without a fight, and she took two others with her. Let us have a moment of silence for our fallen friend and fellow warrior."

The whole room was quiet. Marci could hear her heart beat as Professor McGonagall blew her nose quietly beside her.

"Thank you," Dumbledore murmured, "now on to our next order of business. Halloween is in one week. We know that Voldemort will call his Death Eaters on Halloween, but we do not know what he is planning. I would like everyone on duty that night. You all have your assignments. I expect you to stick to them. We need to be diligent in our efforts to guard our wards." Dumbledore motioned to a tall, brown-haired man leaning against the desk and said, "Edgar, I want you and your partner to stick as close to the Minister as you can. Do not let him be alone, even in the loo." Turning to Mad-eye he said, "Alastor, can you organize a team of Aurors to assist me, and the rest of the teachers, in patrolling Hogwarts and Hogsmeade?" Mad-eye nodded his head; his magical eye swiveled again towards Peter.

"Usually Hogwarts would host a Halloween ball and feast. Considering the circumstances, and the state of affairs right now, it would be best to stick to a warm meal and a short night this year. I do not want the students wandering all over the grounds after dark. It will be hard enough to keep track of them all inside the castle. I want to set a curfew for the whole castle. All the students need to be in their common room by seven p.m. sharp. That includes Prefects. There will be no rounds that night. I am expecting each of you" -Dumbledore turned to Marci and Minerva- "to hold a house meeting tonight and explain about the curfew. I would also like you each to stand guard outside your common rooms, or even inside, throughout the night on Halloween. I don't want students sneaking out. I will have Horace and Filius do the same. If your students would like to organize a house party to celebrate Samhain then by all means, please allow them to do so. You may order food from the kitchens if you'd like, but please refrain from any butterbeer." Marci and Minerva nodded their understanding.

"Next we need to discuss the current situation regarding the Doyles and the Zabinis. Alastor, do you have something to say on the subject?" Dumbledore asked, turning to the wizened, old Auror.

"I do. There's nothing to discuss. All four of them were caught IN THE ACT," Mad-eye yelled, slammed his walking stick against the ground, in unison with the last three words. Marci jumped and it looked like Peter was ready to wet himself. "They are guilty and I don't appreciate your meddling, Dumbledore. Let me do my job."

"I understand your concern, Alastor. I promise I will not impede upon your department's investigation. I simply want to make sure that the whole story is being heard and that each person's involvement is fully investigated. I want them treated impartially to the act they were caught in, as you so eloquently phrased it." Dumbledore did not give Mad-eye the opportunity to retort. He turned towards Marci, catching the young woman off guard. "Marci, I believe you know the Doyles, do you not?"

"Uhm, well, y-y-yes, I do," Marci stuttered. Taking a deep breath, Marci regained her composure. Looking at the Headmaster straight in the eyes she replied, "I mean, yes sir. I do."

"What do you know of their loyalties?"

"I have met them a couple of times when they've come to visit Samantha. They're a nice couple, friendly and open. They are Muggle-born, both of them. They have voiced their concern for Samantha's safety a number of times in the last couple of years. I received a letter from them just over a month ago. It was very unsettling. They were convinced that Samantha was not safe enough at Hogwarts, but they did not want to withdrawal her from school. They wanted to know if she had been spending time with any students in Slytherin lately, or if she had come to me with any complaints of bullying. I assured them that I had not discussed any of these issues with Samantha and that I hadn't noticed if she had been socializing with anyone outside of the ordinary. They were very adamant about me observing their daughter's social interactions carefully. They didn't want her in the corridors alone or after dark. They even asked for her temporary removal from the Hufflepuff common room. Mrs. Doyle said she wanted Samantha as far away from the Slytherin common room as possible or at least out of the dungeons."

"What's this preoccupation with Slytherins?" Mad-eye growled. "Are they accusing all Slytherin students of being Death Eaters now? Typical," -he spat- "they're just trying to throw the suspicion off themselves." The gruff, old Auror crossed his arms defiantly across his chest.

"Please, Mad-eye! They were HUFFLEPUFFS!" Marci stormed back, taking a step towards the grizzly Auror.

"That means nothing. You of all people should know that Marci! Slytherin does not equate evil and the other three houses are not all saintly!"

"Don't you dare talk to me about that, Alastor! You know perfectly well how that whole situation turned out, and it was not in my favor!" Marci was trembling with anger. She took a threatening step towards Mad-eye. She pulling her wand from her wrist sheath but did not raise it. "And you cannot tell me that the majority of Death Eaters were not recruited straight out of your own house!"

"I have never denied that, Marcella." Alastor put an emphasis on Marci's full name, looking down at the small witch. "I know full well of the reputation Slytherin has in regards to the Dark Lord. I will say it again: just as Slytherin does not equate Death Eater, Hufflepuff does not equate innocence." Mad-eye's voice had retreated to a more normal volume. Marci took a deep breath and realized everyone in the room had taken a step back from the pair. Pettigrew was nowhere to be seen.

Marci pinched the bridge of her nose trying to contain the anger that had bubbled to the surface of her mind. "Alastor. Please listen to me. I spent a long time corresponding with the Doyles about Samantha's safety. They never came right out and said her life was in danger. But Mrs. Doyle was beside herself with fear. I have never seen a woman so upset before. At least take the letters she sent me. Look over them and investigate the possibility that perhaps the Doyles were coerced into Voldemort's service." Marci felt the whole room shutter at the name of You-Know-Who and someone hissed between their teeth.

Mad-eye sized Marci up, perhaps deciding if he was going to refuse her offer. In the end, he nodded his head and murmured, "Aye, give me them letters as soon as you can. I'll look into the matter personally."

Dumbledore sat off to the side of the circle that had formed around Mad-eye and Marci. His eyes were glinting in the dim light of the candles. "Very good!" Dumbledore said, dispelling the tension in the room. "I'm glad you could come to a compromise. Alastor, I'll send the letters over to the ministry as soon as I've had a chance to read them."

"Gideon. Fabian. I would like you two to start making contact with your connections and see if you can gather any information on what Voldemort is planning for Samhain. I want to know as much as possible before the actual meeting takes place. I'd like to have operatives in place at the proper time if there is a need." The couple that stood to the right of Dumbledore nodded their agreement.

"Wonderful! The rest of you know what you're supposed to be doing for the night. If you need assistance, do not hesitate to contact me. James, Lily, Peter, Remus, and Sirius, would you please stay behind for a few minutes? We have things to discuss." With that Dumbledore waved a hand at the rest of the Order, dismissing them. One by one they slipped into the fire place and were gone in a rush of green flames.

At the bottom of the stairs McGonagall and Marci gave a curt nod to one another and went on their separate ways. Marci had scheduled a house meeting for later tonight. She wanted to discuss what had happened with Samantha and reassure her Hufflepuffs that Hogwarts was safe and that there was no need to worry. She also needed to make the announcement about Halloween. Marci groaned. This was not going to be a meeting at all. There would be discord in the ranks tonight.

Footer Notes:

Thank you for reading my fic! I hope you've enjoyed what you've read! Leave me some lovin' (reviews) and let me know what you think. What can I improve and what did I do well?

I am looking for another beta reader. If you're interested, please contact me at [email protected]. I am looking for someone who can be dedicated to the life of this fic. I could be writing it for well over a year or two (or more). I need someone who can check my grammar, find my plot holes, and help me when I have writer's block. If you think you can fill this role please send me an email with a little bit about you, why you love Harry Potter, and why you think you would make a good beta reader. Thanks!