Hogwarts '06/7

[Q.Araignee]

Rowena stopped- noticing that Arven was no longer with them, and not in sight. "Misty, hey wait!" She started running again to catch up and get her attention. "We've...got to...help...Arven..."she cried with the little spare breath she had.

[Scarlet Lioness]

"Where'd she go??"

Misty turned round and ran back. Being as careful as she could, she didn't want Lupin or what they thought was Lupin to see him.

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

Bruno and Dinas stared at each other a moment - then both burst out laughing. Dinas went over to pick up his wand, and Bruno put his away.

"What brings you here, Minister?" Dinas asked.

"You know very well what brings me here - I'm making sure this whole thing doesn't blow up in your face - our faces," he added.

"Everything is going occording to plan, I assure you," Terrin said calmly.

"Is that so? Why then was I forced to curse the entire staff in order to find the one that you forgot to do yourself as you were ordered to!"

"I would have got to Lupin in time!"

"There wasn't any time! Lupin would have gone to the media and exposed us."

"The Prophet wouldn't report any allegations like that - the Ministry have them wrapped aruond their finger," said Dinas.

"Even so - we can't risk this all falling to pieces - and it very nearly did today."

"I presume Lupin is well and truly all under control then?" Terrin asked.

"Of course," replied the Minister, "and he will be blamed for the incidents today. And..." he lip curled, "whatever foul state those students he was chasing last time I saw him end up in."

The Minister walked away, and disapparated the step after he got off the Hogwarts grounds.

[Scarlet Lioness]

Misty found Arven barely conscious on the ground.

Looking around she noticed the bottom of a robe around the corner.
"Rowena, stay here..make sure she's ok. I'm going to check out over there" She pointed towards the little bit of robe.

[Q.Araignee]

Rowena nodded, a bit pale and out of breath but more concerned with Arven.

She drew her wand from her pocket- unwillingly to be found defenseless- and began by attempting the 'Enervate' Counter-Spell.

Focus...please let this work...

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

Dinas rushed around the school, looking for the imperiused Lupin.

[Scarlet Lioness]

Her heart was thumping against her chest.

Please be someone...NORMAL!

She poked her head from behind the corner...

[choki]

Arven slowly stirred. Opening her eyes slowly, she saw Rowena, who then hugged her tightly with a cry of joy. She coughed a bit. The overjoyed Rowena quickly released Arven from her "death" grip.

[Q.Araignee]

"Oh, sorry Arven...you're all right!"
Rowena couldn't stop herself from beaming, and stood up to brush the dust off her robes. She looked to the corner Misty had disappeared around, but turned back around at the sound of footsteps running down the stairs. Gripping her wand tightly, she called out in a voice which sounded much braver than she actuallt felt. "Who's there?"

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

Dinas rounded to corner, nearly colliding with Misty.

"Girls!" he exclaimed. "You're alright?"

"Just... I think," said Misty, "a few cuts and bruises."

"Who did this to you?" Dinas asked to make it appear as though he did not know the answer.

"Professor Lupin."

"Lupin! Are you sure?"

"It's hard for one to forget..." murmured Arven weakly.

"Then stay together, girls. I shall have to go after him."

"He went that way," said Misty, pointing to the right.

Terrin followed the path.

[Scarlet Lioness]

"I'm coming....you two stay here..." Misty ran after Terrin...

"Professor, wait up! I'm coming with you..."

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

"It would better if you waited behind, Misty. It's dangerous for you girls to split up with a madman on the loose."

[Q.Araignee]

"Well, then we'll all go- I'll carry Arven if I have to!" said Rowena defiantly, drawing herself to her full height whilst ignoring Misty's words. "We'll be in more danger if you leave us here all alone than if we come with you- you're a fully qualified wizard, and can do magic we...well, I...could never imagine."

[Scarlet Lioness]

"No, Professor. I'm Head Girl, I need to prove myself. I'm coming." Misty said, keeping her voice firm. "And I think, that Rowena and Arven are coming to. We've figured this out. We need to help solve it."

He kept walking. Misty and the others followed behind him-ready for anything.

[choki]

With Rowena lending a support, Arven was able to follow the group though both of them were tailing at the rear end. She remained silent throughout the journey. There was something different about Arven... her eyes were giving a cold look instead of her usual reserved look. Just as the group was about to turn in a corner, she gave a small smirk before pointing her wand at the leader of the group - Dinas.