Hazel MacMillan Yr.2: Chapter 5

Instructions

The next day, we all felt so gloomy without Ruby, which was funny, since we were sworn enemies last year. Aunt Pomona had tried to persuade the Council of School Trustees to let Ruby back into class, and failed spectacularly. However, she did manage to weasel the reason why. “Apparently, when Ruby was little, and at the orphanage, she stole some pretty precious jewellery, and ended up setting fire to the roof and breaking the greenhouse. When she was caught, she went to a Home for Difficult Children before Jasper and Camilla took her in. Also, in some J.E.M.E.s (Junior Easy Magic Exams), which you take before going to magic schools, she cheated for her Beauxbatons test,” Aunt Pomona mopped her forehead. “Not the best resumé,” quipped Elizabeth, raising an eyebrow. “But if we could prove someone else was the thief, then Ruby could come back to class?” I asked hopefully. My aunt shook her head doubtfully. “The staff, or rather, Argus Filch, hasn’t been able to catch him or her yet, so I’m not sure you can, sweetie.” After Potions, I walked along the corridor, thinking so deeply I nearly bumped into someone. “Hey!” Ernie looked up. “Watch where you’re doing, cuz!” I laughed at the slang term of cousin, patted Ernie on the back, and turned to face Carina Malfoy. “Hi,” she said, smiling. “You’re Emily’s friend, aren’t you? I’m her sister.” “I know,” I said. “Where’s your brother?” “Off doing some nonsense,” replied Carina, her nose wrinkling ever so slightly. “Dad’s mad that me and Emily aren’t in Slytherin. That’s why he likes Draco so much. I think he’s fine, once you get under the mean bit of him. Oh, I’ve got Herbology with your aunt. See you later.” I said to Emily that Carina didn’t look too upset, to which she replied that Malfoys don’t like sharing their problems, they just keep them and solve them. “Elizabeth,” Daliyla said, plopping down onto the lunch bench. “I saw that girl, Olivia something, she was nearly crying in the bathroom, but like, angry-crying not sad-crying. Then she said something funny.” “Funny ha-ha or…” began Elizabeth around a mouthful of sausage. “Funny peculiar,” interrupted Daliyla. “She said, ‘I hope they don’t find out.’ Then something about ‘Mum alive, disappointed’. Weird, huh?” We were baffled. Until Emily suddenly spoke up. “What if, she’s doing something bad, and if her Mum was still alive, she’d be ashamed?” she suggested. We all agreed with this logical explanation, but worried about what was the bad thing Olivia was doing. Was she forced, or did she do it of her own accord? Well, we’d have to find out.