Echoes Beneath the Bridge
Terry burst into the Ravenclaw common room with his usual enthusiasm for breaking news.
"Hey! Did you hear what happened?" he exclaimed urgently.
Harry and the others were gathered around a table in the middle of a strategy session. Hermione had asked for help since Harry and Draco had progressed too quickly in locating key sites, while she and Daphne were overwhelmed by the number of laws they had to review. That was why the two boys had agreed to assist.
Fleur, sitting to the side, looked somewhat irritated. She occasionally cast quick glances toward the group, trying to hide her discomfort, though not very successfully. The four of them tried to ignore her, but it was clear that her presence disrupted the atmosphere a bit.
When Terry appeared with his trademark tone of someone bringing a fresh rumor, even Fleur looked up, intrigued.
"And what now? Did they bribe you again to spread propaganda?" Draco asked without looking up from the thick law book open before him.
"It's not that. This time it's serious," Terry replied, his expression so grave that it immediately drew everyone's attention.
"They found two witches dead in Hogsmeade."
Silence fell instantly. Everyone's eyes lifted from their books and fixed on him.
"What?" said Harry, frowning.
"What exactly happened?" Hermione asked with visible concern. Even Fleur leaned closer to listen.
"No one knows for sure," Terry explained, lowering his voice. "Madame Rosmerta, the bartender at The Three Broomsticks, was returning home early this morning. They say she worked all night, as she usually does on weekends. When she crossed the small bridge over the river, she noticed something odd underneath. At first, she didn't think much of it, since vagabonds sometimes sleep there. But this time... something felt off. She looked down and saw them."
He swallowed hard before continuing.
"Two women... mummified. She recognized their clothes; they were her neighbors. They say they were young, but their bodies looked as if time itself had completely consumed them."
"Mummified?" Daphne repeated in surprise.
"And do they know who did it?" Fleur asked, now entirely focused on the story.
Terry shook his head.
"No, but many suspect the one who escaped from Azkaban: Peter Pettigrew. A few days ago, someone claimed to have seen him near Hogsmeade, but no one believed it. Now, after this... it's hard not to fear the worst. Only dark curses could cause something like that. If he really is one of 'you-know-who's' followers, it might be possible."
"The investigators from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures ruled out any creature involvement. There's nothing living that could cause that kind of effect," Terry added.
Harry, who had remained silent, frowned thoughtfully. There was something about that description that didn't sit right with him. Finally, he looked up at Hermione and Daphne.
"Just in case, don't leave the castle until they find out who's responsible," he warned firmly. Then he gave a brief glance toward Fleur, making it clear that she should also be cautious.
Satisfied after dropping his explosive piece of news, Terry hurried out of the room to keep spreading it among the students. Harry watched him go with a mix of exasperation and resignation.
"He'd definitely get along with Aunt Selene," he thought wryly.
"So…" Harry said, turning his attention back to the group and fixing his eyes on Fleur, who had now fully joined them. "What's going on with you?"
Fleur sighed with visible annoyance before answering.
"I was abandoned."
All four exchanged confused looks.
"Luciel and Katerina spend all their time solving riddles and enjoying each other's company. I can't be the third wheel. So... I'll join you," she declared proudly, as if granting them a privilege.
The four stared back without much enthusiasm, which immediately made Fleur soften her tone.
"Please..." she added with a hint of pleading.
Since arriving at Hogwarts, Fleur had learned that her beauty was both a blessing and a curse. She was popular among the boys for obvious reasons but despised by many girls for the same ones. Most who approached her did so to curry favor with her cousin, not with her. It was exhausting.
Normally, she would be accompanied by Katerina and Luciel, her cousin and childhood friend, but the two of them were currently in that romantic phase where every moment seemed reserved for each other. Fleur felt out of place, and though she didn't like to admit it, being alone in a foreign school wasn't pleasant.
That was why seeing this group of Ravenclaws—who, unlike the rest, treated her like a normal person—was a small relief. She also noticed that these four seemed utterly incapable of staying still for more than a minute. They were always investigating, planning, or getting into trouble... and, for some reason, that amused her.
Harry looked at his friends, who simply shrugged indifferently.
"Well," he said with a smile so polite it looked suspiciously fake, "Draco and I have to continue our investigation. Why don't you help Daphne and Hermione with theirs?"
Fleur, not noticing the trap, nodded happily.
"Of course, I can help a lot," she said with a bright smile.
Daphne and Hermione exchanged a look that clearly said: poor innocent soul.
"Perfect," added Harry with a satisfied air, placing the heavy volumes in front of her. "You just have to read all the English magical laws and find one that helps our friend Hagrid save his hippogriff, Buckbeak."
Draco did the same, stacking a few more books in front of her.
"Then, good luck," Harry said cheerfully, leaving at a brisk pace. Draco paused for a moment, giving her a teasing smile and a slight shake of his head, as if pitying her fate, before heading in another direction.
Fleur watched them leave, puzzled, then looked at the towering pile of books in front of her. She glanced up at Daphne and Hermione, who had dark circles under their eyes and weary expressions. Both gave her a look that silently said: welcome to our nightmare.
Daphne even patted her shoulder with solemn compassion.
Fleur let out a deep sigh and looked at the first tome. She didn't even know all the laws of her own country, and now she was buried under another's. Still, she took a breath, opened the book, and began to read with a mix of indignation and resignation. Even if reluctantly, at least she was helping.
…
Meanwhile, a brief meeting was taking place in the Headmaster's office.
Professor McGonagall, as Deputy Headmistress, stood beside Dumbledore's desk. The old wizard remained seated in his armchair, hands clasped together, his gaze fixed on the guest before him.
Across from them sat Selene Greengrass, composed and elegant, her legs crossed. She wore a neat dress made of light yet finely crafted fabric that emphasized her noble bearing without seeming ostentatious. Her blond hair was gathered in a style that highlighted her refined features, and her expression—serene, with only the faintest hint of a smile—radiated quiet authority.
Selene was the first to hold the new position of student caretaker or guardian. An official title had yet to be decided, but the role was clear: one of the students' parents would take turns with other representatives to act as a bridge between the School Board and the students, ensuring their well-being, safety, and that their concerns were heard.
It was a measure introduced after Hogwarts' recent reorganization. During inspections, several dangerous areas had been discovered within the castle, and many students had taken the opportunity to voice their complaints: grievances about Professor Snape, protests over the constant changes in the Defense Against the Dark Arts post—which had gone years without a coherent curriculum—and even remarks about Filch's excessive strictness.
All of this had led to the creation of the new position.
In truth, however, the initiative had been born from the mothers of Wanda's group, eager to observe more closely the environment in which their children were studying.
"I apologize for arriving several days late since the start of term," Selene said calmly, folding her hands over her lap. "But as you can imagine, being a member of the Wizengamot has kept us rather busy with those meetings."
Dumbledore watched her intently, his blue eyes gleaming behind his half-moon spectacles.
"Yes, I understand," he replied quietly. "And I fear those meetings will continue, at least until Peter Pettigrew is found."
"Indeed," Selene agreed, without losing her composure. "That's why I've temporarily left my seat in the hands of another."
McGonagall, standing upright with her hands clasped before her, raised an eyebrow.
"Is it wise to leave your position in the Wizengamot just to come to Hogwarts?" she asked seriously.
"Of course," Selene replied without hesitation. "And I'm certain my replacement will do a fine job."
Then, in a barely audible murmur, she added, "Provided he doesn't get too distracted."
"Then we are delighted to welcome a former student among the staff," Dumbledore intervened with his usual courtesy. He knew he couldn't oppose the creation of this new role, as it had been established by direct decision of the School Board. In other words, it was meant to oversee him.
It was clear that the true intent behind it was to reduce his authority within the school—something even he could not overturn.
Hogwarts had always answered only to its Headmaster. Not even the Board could alter the ancient magic binding him to the castle; that authority remained solely with whoever held the office. But the creation of this new role served as a reminder that the Board now wished to involve itself far more in life within the school walls.
"I'm also glad to be back," Selene said with a gentle smile. "It's nice to see my old professors… and some old classmates."
She looked at McGonagall with respect, remembering her days as a student under her guidance, and silently hinted at the other "classmate" she referred to: Severus Snape, who had been in the same house as she was—alongside her husband.
As the meeting ended, Selene rose gracefully, inclined her head in polite farewell, and exited the office.
Dumbledore followed her with his eyes until the door closed softly behind her.
"Albus, are you all right?" McGonagall asked, noticing the faint tension lingering in the room. She knew perfectly well that Selene was there, at least in part, to keep an eye on him.
Dumbledore raised a hand dismissively.
"Minerva, please assist Mrs. Greengrass in getting settled in the castle. And remember to inform the students that if they need to talk or unburden themselves, they may go to her. That will be her primary duty."
McGonagall nodded in understanding and left without another word.
Once alone, Dumbledore remained silent for several seconds. Behind his glasses, his eyes lost their earlier warmth and narrowed slightly. He walked over to the Pensieve resting on a stone pedestal in the corner of his office. With a faint motion of his wand, he drew a thin silver strand from his temple and let it fall into the liquid surface.
A fleeting image appeared: two mummified women beneath a bridge in Hogsmeade.
The Headmaster frowned; the memory sent a sharp pain through his temples. He closed his eyes for a moment, muttering something under his breath, then reached for a small lemon drop from the bowl on his desk.
The candy melted slowly on his tongue, leaving behind a weary sigh. Everything seemed to be piling up at once… and he knew this was only the beginning.