All of the muggle-borns are to be gathered in Professor Burbage's office. All of us, even the tiniest among us. We Ravenclaws were second to arrive, after the Hufflepuffs. Professor Flitwick tells us in a hushed voice to join the Hufflepuff students in our year. I'm the only muggle-born in Ravenclaw, so I'm more than happy to join the others. The three Hufflepuffs stop whispering when I arrive. Megan Jones hides her face from me. From the brief glimpse I get of it, I can see her red cheeks. Sally-Anne Perks, Cleve Lace's girlfriend, is jittering. The table nearly shakes in front of her. Justin Finch-Fletchley forces her leg toward the ground, trying to stop it. His face is so pale. I haven't seen him so colourless since he was petrified.

The Gryffindors join late. They are rowdy, mostly, from those who were awake to those who are in pajamas. Full of energy or complaining they are too tired for his meeting, they disturb the quiet room. Hermione and Dean Thomas sit with down with us, with him complaining about being dragged here since no knows for sure that he's a muggle-born since his Dad isn't around.

Don't see why he is so keen to be separated from us, other than that he wants to sleep. If's he right, it would just be five people in our year who are muggle-borns.

All of the Heads of House are here as well, and Professor Dumbledore. They stand at the front, whispering to each other. Professor Snape is here too, although none of his students are. There really must be no muggle-borns in his house.

Professor Burbage stares us all when everyone is settled. She gives a brief speech about how she and the other professors are dedicated to our safety and want to make sure we all feel comfortable at Hogwarts. Everyone is quiet but I'm not sure how much any of us are listening. I'm barely paying attention, instead counting numbers. Even with every muggle-born in this school called into this classroom, no one has to stand.

They start to chat with us going through the years. The first years and second years are talked to in a matter of minutes each. Then, it is on to the third years.

"Something's happened," Hermione whispers to us all.

"Something bad," Dean agrees.

"They didn't even call us in here when people the Chamber of Secrets was opened," Hermione points out.

Justin shifts in his seat. Both he and Hermione were petrified.

"We've been asked not to talk about it," Megan answers, her eyes darting to the other Hufflepuffs at the table.

Sally-Anne, looks and blinks at Justin. He manages to keep his mouth shut as well, which must be quite the feat for him.

"So?" Dean asks, leaning in toward the others. "Just because you've been asked doesn't mean you're going to do it."

Justin sighs, "Robbie Browning, Patricia Stimpson, and Odette Harris were attacked. Robbie and Patricia are in the hospital wing."

I know Odette by name, if only barely. She's two years older than I am and in my house. Mandy's been trying to befriend her for years since Odette wears heavy black boots and thick eyeliner even to McGonagall's classes. I think on average she loses us a house point a day with her uniform violations.

"Odette's not a muggle-born but Robbie and Patricia are," Sally-Anne whispers. "Only the half-blood wasn't hurt too badly. It seems like a mean prank gone wrong, but Cedric was shouting for everybody here about how it was an attack on muggle-borns. He's being a bit... loud about the whole thing."

I find my body tingling. It shouldn't surprise me. Sally-Anne seems to doubt Cedric's account of things, but I suppose I can see why they've called us all here. There are articles in The Prophet about Cedric every day, and if he says something to the press things could look bad. From teachers attacking students, to Sirius Black breaking into Hogwarts, and a werewolf teacher and a basilisk, Hogwarts doesn't seem like it can afford more negative coverage.

"Is he right?" Dean asks.

Of course he's right. Probably. I don't know why Odette would be involved, or Cedric. Hermione knows about what happened to me. It's hard to imagine that not happening to anyone else.

"Slytherins and Durmstrang students," Justin specifies, shaking his head.

"Who?" Hermione asks. I can see the fury all over her face. Dean's is much the same.

The Hufflepuffs look at each other and Justin shrug, "don't know."

Soon enough, the professors come to us, to ask about our experiences at Hogwarts. I lie, just as I'm sure some of the others do as well. None of us are willing to admit the comments that have been made to any of us. Professor Snape is here after all, and he's witnessed some of the unkindness, spread it even. Perhaps that's why he's tagged along. Professor Burbage lingers her eyes on me. Professor Flitwick spares me a glance as well. Only the headmaster has the good sense not to call out what happened at Hogsmeade. I don't need to announce it to everyone if we all clearly know. Hermione doesn't even tell them about it, and she is one of very few people who knows it was me who was hurt. After some more prodding in front of our heads of house, we are told that we will be led back to our Common Rooms later, in a large group.

Dean and Hermione pull away from us, turning to face their desks, chatting in what is an attempt at a whisper but nearly a shout. They are complaining about the comments from Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson specifically. The Hufflepuffs are quiet, staring forward rather blankly.

"I know you know who did it," I whisper to them.

Slowly, they turn to look at me, peering at my face. I feel my shoulders relaxing, my body folding in on itself despite my best efforts. I try not to swallow.

"Know what?" Megan swallows.

"Know who," my voice gets a bit quiet, whispering, "know who did it."

It doesn't make much sense that they would know it was students from Slytherin and Durmstrang but not Beauxbatons. They might not realize it, but I do. It doesn't really matter to me. It shouldn't, at least.

Part of me just hopes.

"We didn't really hear," Justin says as the others stare at him.

I look at them. Sally-Anne is the quietest of the bunch.

"I didn't see Cleve Lace tonight," it's a guess, but I feel as if I am quite good at guessing. At least, I can guess to the best of my ability. The worst of it all, is that I don't want to guess if Draco Malfoy was among the attackers. I can't manage it.

Sally-Anne's face turns a bit red. She sputters.

"I'm not going to say anything," I offer.

She swallows, "we weren't supposed to be out after hours. We saw them leave from inside the clock tower to head toward the Forbidden Forest. They were loud in the courtyard. We could hear... they were talking about Robbie."

"Who was?" I ask, swallowing.

She peers at her hands, "it looked like the Durmstrang students started it. I don't know a lot of the Slytherins, but a good chunk of the Quidditch team was there. Bronwyn Yaxley was the loudest. I didn't really catch much of the others. Theodore Nott and Pansy Parkinson were there though."

She hasn't said Draco's name. Malfoy, at least, probably wasn't one of them.

"I... I didn't know what they were talking about," Sally-Anne whispers. "I mean, they always bother me though. If I had known they were planning something serious."

"They found the muggle-borns bleeding pretty badly," Justin offers, his eyes darting around. "That's what Cedric was shouting about." Megan hushes him, but he brushes her off. "I don't know if it was intentional or they got carried away, but apparently Cedric found Robbie in a tree, barely conscious. He thought... he thought they were maple trees, at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. They were so red."

Sally-Anne's hands shake. I take hers in mine. I'm shaking too.

"I didn't know what they were going to do," Sally-Anne whispers, her voice breaking. "I wasn't supposed to be out though. Hermione and Dean wouldn't get it. Telling on the Slytherins would make it worse."

It's not a brave move, certainly, but we don't often have the luxury to choose the option that will make us the proudest. I mock zipping my lips shut, and I turn back to the desk. Maybe I should be calming down, but I find myself extraordinarily antsy. We continue to sit in the classroom as the other groups of students are asked about any bullying or harassment, or anything of the sort. If Robbie is conscious, I doubt that she is talking. I can't even put a face to that name. Cedric is in sixth year, so perhaps she is in that year as well. Odette is. I wonder if I've seen Robbie, Patricia or Cedric with Odette and I haven't even noticed it.

Soon enough, we are dismissed. Professor Flitwick brings us back to our tower. We follow closely behind the Gryffindors. They are herded by Professor McGonagall with little success on her part. We pick up two strays along the way.

By the time we arrive back at the castle, the common room has more students than I expected. It is past midnight on a Tuesday but exams are ending in two days, so I assumed a few would be cramming. It seems a bunch were waiting for us. Padma looks at me, and I know she's going to try to get gossip for her sister. Professor Flitwick sends everyone up to bed. The students who are around collect their books. Some of the other muggle-borns in an upper year find their friends while the younger ones trudge up to bed. I collect my things, ignoring Padma. She's the only one in our year who is awake.

I assume my silence is what gets her to grab her things and head upstairs.

Professor Flitwick waits as people leave. I pull out my Sagum from the bag. It's a stalling tactic, so I will have to clean it up again. I can't avoid Padma in our room. I don't want to talk. Really, I want to go somewhere calm. I want to be somewhere I can be me.

The Sagum swings, pointing down, in a direction far away from my dorm room above. I feel my heart tug. The last of the Ravenclaws are heading up the stairs, whispering together. I don't think that I'll be able to make it upstairs without bewitching myself.

Professor Flitwick clears his throat. I look up at him, and I swallow. He takes in a sharp breath, holding it. He doesn't want to say it to me either. I feel like we are at a stalemate.

Then, he turns his head. There is the slightest of twitch, of it slipping toward the door. I nod at him, whispering a thank you, before I slip down the tower.

Hiding is a bit difficult in the hall. I pull my thick cloak out of my bag, throwing it overtop of me, my bag, and the Sagum. Beneath it, I'm focused on diverting my thoughts. I let it guide me, but I also think about not wanting to be caught. The Sagum swings twice, saving me from Filch, who is wandering the grounds, and a Gryffindor Prefect, who is muttering to himself under his breath. Eventually, I realize where the Sagum is trying to take me. It doesn't navigate pathways. Thoughts are not limited by walls, like people.

Soon enough, I manage to make it to the lake. I stare at the water. The Sagum tilts as I get closer, until I realize it isn't pointing at the lake. It points to the boat house. Yes, there I will be free from wandering eyes. Someone might still see me through the darkness. This space is so open. At least in the boat house can be alone.

So, I tuck the Sagum into my bag, turn all of my thoughts behind me, and step closer.

~~~~~

You might have seen the next one before. You might not have. Regardless, I'm excited for it to be yours.