Chapters 81-90

New Plans, Some Crazier than Others

‘It’s such a mess,’ Alina declared.

The Order of the Noble and Venerable Knights of Dumbledore’s Army (that officially didn’t exist anymore) had convened in the Room of Requirement. For today’s meeting cosiness and chocolate had been required. The room had produced a circular chamber surrounded with squashy sofas and many soft cushions. A kind house-elf had provided gallons of hot chocolate and everyone had contributed sweets, both the magical and the Muggle kind.

‘You can say that again,’ Ebe commented morosely.

‘Seconded,’ Cato chimed in, trying to ignore the newest edition of the Daily Prophet that was lying on the table.

‘Thirded,’ added Joe Flamel.

‘Uh…Alina?’ Myrrdin spoke up. ‘I—well, I understand that—if—you don’t want to talk about it. But—’

‘Yes, Merlin?’ Alina smiled at her shy Gryffindor friend.

‘Did you—I mean—they say it was torture—’ he stuttered.

Alina pondered the question.

‘I don’t know,’ she answered at last. ‘I don’t think so. It didn’t feel like I think torture would feel. Mind, it did hurt. And it was awfully embarrassing.
‘Look, I knew I’d done something wrong. The students from the old families were very angry at me. And though we did have a lot of fun, I understand that they hated asking for help. If you were Slytherin, you wouldn’t like to, either. Not with how everyone treats Slytherins normally. Not you, I mean, you’re different, because you’re knights. But the others. If you’re Slytherin, you’re automatically a snake, a slug, slime, you name it. It gets old real quick.’

Thoughtfully she twirled her braids. ‘And I don’t really understand what’s the big deal about the chamber. I mean, all of us played there that afternoon after Crooks showed up! We took turns in shackling and manacling each other. Vaisey even taught me the Alohomora spell so I could free myself again.’

Suddenly a small smile appeared on her face. ‘You know what? I guess Vaisey was helping me. He was completely focused on my wand. And I saw that he crossed his fingers. I think he helped me capture my wand.’

‘Ohhhhh,’ squealed Geilis. ‘I bet he likes you.’

Crudass made gagging noises, while Alina blushed even more. ‘But I’m much too young for him to like me!’

Pretty Terrwyn shook her head. ‘Maybe you are now. But look at Professor Snape and his wife. She’s twenty years younger than he is! Once you are twenty, Ciardha will only be twenty-seven. That’s almost nothing.’

‘Really?’ Alina’s eyes were shining.

‘Hrmp—hrmp,’ Ebe cleared his throat. ‘While Alina’s love-life is certainly fascinating, we’re here to talk about something.’ He indicated the paper. Blinking letters formed the headline ‘Muggle-born Witch Tortured in Slytherin Dungeon—Did Snape know?’.

‘We need A Plan.’

Everyone nodded.

‘Even I think that the Slytherins have been punished enough,’ Crudass declared.

‘Thank you, I think,’ replied Alina wryly.

Crudass rolled his eyes. ‘Not you, silly. You’re the victim.’

‘Thanks again, but as I said, I don’t think I am. And I’m a Slytherin, too. Believe it or not, I’m proud of my House.
‘And furthermore,’ Alina added, ‘This is not about me. This is about House-unity. And about my Head of House.’

‘At least now that he’s married that horrible probation is over and done with,’ Geilis said emphatically.

‘Yes,’ Terrwyn agreed. ‘But can you imagine how awful that is for Miss—for Madam Snape, I mean?’ She eyed the article with disgust.

‘Even the competition for the House Cup isn’t fun anymore,’ Adrastus—a usually competitive Second Year Gryffindor—announced. Sighs of agreement answered him.

Suddenly Cato shot up, index-finger pressed against his nose, his eyes gleaming with yet another of his crazy ideas. ‘That’s it! House-unity. The House Cup! What we need, is a really, really big sign in favour of House-unity. Of all four Houses.’

Curiously enough Crudass caught on first. ‘You know what, Cato? That is the craziest idea I’ve never even thought of.’

Alina was next: ‘They’ll never agree to that.’

Cato nodded. ‘They won’t. But do they have to? The question is, can we find a way to achieve the result we need on our own?’

Silence filled the room.

‘I’m not sure if it’s possible at all,’ Joe Flamel said at last. ‘But you know? If we managed to do that…all of us would have a place in the annals of Hogwarts forever.’

‘You think so?’ Prue breathed.

‘And we’ll all of us have detention until we graduate,’ Crudass added. Then he grinned boldly at the other knights. ‘Annals of Hogwarts, huh? I like that. Even if it’s for the Slytherins. If Snape is able to take away so many points from his own House, Gryffindor should be willing to part with a few points, too,’ he offered magnanimously. ‘Or even more than a few.’

oooOooo

‘Shhh, Prue?’

The meeting was over and the knights dispersed swiftly, in unobtrusive groups of two or three students, carefully separated according to their Houses.

‘Yes? Ali, what’s up?’

Nervously, Alina plucked at her nose. ‘I need your help. There’s something I need from the Room of Requirement, and I’ve noticed you’re really the best about getting the Room to do exactly what you want.’

Prue, by nature a cautious girl, frowned. ‘What is it that you need? I hope it’s nothing dangerous?’

Alina quickly shook her head. ‘No, it’s not.’ She fidgeted uncomfortably. ‘It’s about my father. I told you that I don’t know who he is. My mother simply won’t tell me. But…lately…I’ve been thinking that he must have been a wizard. And that he maybe went to school here, too.
‘I want the Room to help me find out who my father is.’
‘Or was,’ she added in a small voice.

‘Oh, Ali. Of course I’ll help you.’

Decisively Prue turned towards the Room.

‘Room,’ she said. ‘I want you to show us something that will help Alina Petrel find out who her father was.’