Chapter 44: Home

The remaining two months passed by like a blur. In between their thriving card game business and preparing for final exams, they did take the opportunity to discuss all that had occurred at the lake during the fateful day in an empty classroom that was heavily engulfed by multiple *"Muffiliato"* charms.

Simon provided more a detailed explanation of what he learned about the Lake Vault during his research. Simon and Phoebe also shared their experiences in the Vault. While they found that they were able to discuss the battle details that merpeople did not tell Dumbledore about, they were both unable to say a word about the empty chest in the Lake Vault to the others. It seemed like Murcus' generosity to friends of the "one with the right purpose" only extended so far.

"Well, Dumbledore is the most powerful wizard currently alive, so I can understand why the merpeople may be worried if Dumbledore knew too many details about how to break through their sacred site and possibly access their ancient treasures," Cedric noted, "Merlin was a great wizard who cared for all people, but lots of other magical beasts and beings still feared him."

"Then why let us talk about this amongst ourselves," Row queried suspiciously.

"Probably because they think we would be too dumb to do anything with this information!" Sharon suggested, before noticing the looks the others gave her, "I don't mean to say we ARE dumb, just that…"

"No, no, it's okay, you are right. That is probably the reason why!" Simon chimed in, and everyone nodded cheerily in agreement.

After the incident at the lake, Sharon had slowly gotten closer to the group. She was still nowhere as close as the four were with each other, given their many years of friendship, or to the extent of Row and Phoebe, as those two were roommates. However, the children did come to realise they were perhaps a bit too harsh on Sharon. Yes, she was a chatterbox, did not think much before she spoke and was kind of annoying. Maybe she was trying too hard earlier in the school year because she never really had friends, and it came off as off-putting. But she had a good heart, and anyone willing to risk their life to save someone clearly cursed deserved a chance.

"So, what is going to happen to Professor Wiblin?" Fred asked, "Poor bloke got cursed for a good while until the cursed letter for him accidentally cursed me to take his spot and left him in the vault like a lifeless ragdoll!"

"Getting yourself cursed at work is definitely grounds for being fired, especially as a DADA professor," Phoebe said, "It also was not a good look when he got saved by two first-year students and merpeople, so I would say he is going to have a hard time finding a good job after this."

"What a shame," George muttered, and everyone turned to look at him. "What? Professor Wiblin is really straightforward and was likely going to give us easy exams. Now that he is suspended and likely removed once the term is over means Professor Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall is going to write our DADA final exam questions!"

"LOOK WHAT RAVENCLAW DID TO YOU GEORGE!" Fred shouted, "We were having a fun conversation, and you HAD to bring up exams!"

---

Soon, the children found themselves filing into the Hogwarts Express for their journey home.

"You are going back to China this summer again?" Cedric asked Simon.

"Yup, the usual," Simon replied, "Although my mum says he told Master Lian I nearly died in a cursed lake structure, so I would be getting some *extra* training on curse-breaking things…"

Simon still recalled his parents' faces when they came to see him at Hogwarts after dropping off Sue with the Diggorys. As expected, Dirk hugged Simon while bawling about how worried he was. Meanwhile, Jane said she was *impressed* by Simon's curse-breaking adventure and promised to up the ante for his summer training, announcing all this with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Simon gulped at his mum's reaction. That was the consequence of getting into trouble and getting caught in the process.

"That sounds…interesting," said Sharon, working hard on her choice of words.

"That sounds fun!" exclaimed Fred genuinely, "Anyways, George and I are going to spend some of that money we earned from *helping your Aunt Charlotte* to get some new brooms! We need to practice before quidditch tryouts next year!"

"It's okay Fred, just say it is card game money," George interjected, "Sharon knows."

"She does?"

"It just did not make sense to keep her out of the loop when we are likely going to talk about this all the time," Cedric said, "Row's dad drafted up some documents that she signed, and now she has magically vowed not to tell others and will contribute ideas for our next games."

"How come I don't know that?" Fred cried.

"Probably because you were too busy jump-scaring strangers with your weird eyes for the past few weeks?" Row stated the obvious.

"Literally, right after Dumbledore cleared you of remaining detentions because you got cursed at one, you were off-hunting for more detentions," Row added.

"Look, those white eyes were fading back to normal fast, and I hard to make use of this closing window of opportunity!"

"Well, you all better not get into too much trouble this summer," Phoebe noted, putting aside the book she was reading, "But just in case any of you get possessed again, I have prepared these."

Phoebe pulled out seven voodoo dolls that looked eerily familiar.

"You got voodoo dolls of ALL OF US?" Fred grimaced, picking up the redheaded one in Gryffindor robes gingerly before tossing it back at Phoebe.

"Well, as Simon demonstrated, possession is of the mind and not the body so if any of you get imperiused by some dark wizard, I will just stun one of these little ones and call the aurors," Phoebe logically laid out her reasons.

"You made one for…*me too*?" Sharon asked, looking at the wide-eyed doll with curly black hair in Ravenclaw robes. Phoebe wordlessly nodded and found herself pulled into a tight hug by the other girl.

"That is the SWEETEST THING anyone has ever done for me!"

Phoebe's snow-white cheeks coloured furiously as she tried to fight off this uninvited physical contact.

"What is wrong with you? Voodoo dolls are *far* from sweet!" Fred groaned, looking at George for some support.

"True. But can you believe Phoebe Greengrass actually made us something, not as a prank or some sort of *revenge*?" his twin responded.

Simon could not help but agree with the loquacious Ravenclaw girl. Phoebe making voodoo dolls of all of them was somehow the sweetest gesture she had ever done, and was dark enough for it to still be Phoebe Greengrass behaviour.

After pushing off Sharon, Phoebe tossed a Slytherin doll at Simon.

"I can't stun myself if I get cursed."

"Makes sense," Simon replied, and carefully pocketed the doll with raven black hair and a very distinctive poker face.

---

"That is quite a story," Lord Lian thought, stroking his goatee after listening to what Simon had recounted to him.

"It feels great to finally talk to someone about this other than Raze."

"And what a delight that is! Not sure what advice your beast can provide at all."

*"Hey! I am a great listener!"*

The old master ignored the hissing of Raze and paced around his painting.

"It is funny how mind magic works. Rules about not sharing to other people does not include familiars and paintings," Lord Lian said, "But I understand the merpeople's concern as a fellow preserver of ancient magical knowledge. We once too had a strict code in the imperial libraries. Nobody else shall need to know about your little adventure."

The scholar in the painting then turned back to face his young protégé standing before him.

"In the meantime, we should follow this Merchieftainess' advice. You shall master occlumency."

END OF YEAR 1