Lovely Bones

“Let me guess. Stefan Nott?” he said, his tone seething venom. “I am almost certain about it - and with everything else I have been hearing about him.. we have to be careful how we do it. Did you know he tortured Emilia at Halloween with some friend of his? That’s why she was in hospital for so long.” he said, lowering his voice. “If he or his family get wind of what we have on him, they’re going to make sure they somehow discredit the information we have. I believe Elijah is telling the truth but his word won’t be enough. We don’t have actual proof or witness to Tristan’s murder. ” His frown become more prominent with every word. “But we do have proof for what he did to Emilia on Halloween. Maybe if we can make Emilia talk, the information she offers can make the officials dig deeper.” A pause as he pondered who they could possibly trust but could come up with no names, he was especially wary after his Uncle had been murdered. They hadn’t been close but he was family. “I think it’s best to leave school, and go to mom and dad directly. They’ll know how to proceed.” He made a face at his sister. “Oscar won’t like this idea.”

Amelia looked up when he mentioned Stefan’s name. How did he know? Everything had suddenly gotten confusing and she opened her mouth to bombard him with questions but was stopped by his explanation. “I didn’t know...” she shook her head with disgust. The more she found out about him the more it ignited her hatred towards him. “He needs to be stopped, I don’t care about his family. Parkinson was a coward and left but we could still do something. I’ve been following their group of friends and they are all purist pricks. I just-” She sighed exasperatedly, understanding he had a point about the witnesses, but they couldn’t let that stop them, not when they were finally so close. “If Emilia agrees, then perhaps that’s the best option we’ve got. I don’t think Dumbledore could do much if it’s our word against theirs, but you are right, it should be different with mum and dad... as for Oscar, he doesn’t need to know.” 

“Because he’s our brother who is an expert in holding grudges and we will have him around us for a long, long time.” he smiled, although it immediately faded at the words that followed. “I know you are not scared but - what?” He looked at her blankly for a moment before the meaning of the words hit him. “No..” he said slowly. He believed her, of course he did. But he didn’t want to. To think that a student had murdered another and was still walking about free in the castle was terrifying. “No, Mel, it can’t be.”

“Yeah, I know, but still. I told him not to tell you... do I need to start using unbreakable vows with the two of you?” She said with a shake of her head and she furiously took another bite of her bagel. “As I said, Os, he did it. He’s done more horrible things that I wouldn’t be able to mention right now, but if we don’t do something about it then it will surely happen again.” Amelia stated before taking her wand out and pointing it at his face. “You will keep your mouth shut about this.”

Doris smiled at her friend, “Great, because I’m probably going to fail potions at this rate.” She laughed softly, but looked at Amelia with furrowed brows. “Yeah, of course you can. What’s going on, Ames?”

“Believe me, me too.” Amelia said with a half smile. She glanced over at the house elves who were once again busying themselves with dinner preparations and motioned for Doris to join her at one of the tables. “I’ve been distracting myself trying to figure out who killed Tristant and... and I think I’ve finally found out something.”

“You’re too groovy to be a groupie.” She countered with a wink. “If your parents work there then you can always get advice from them. You’re going to kick ass and take names. Put the bad guys I catch  in azkaban.”

“Isn’t that what they are called though? I heard some muggles talking about groupies of this muggle rock band and I thought it sounded fun. I also heard them talk about a mile high club, and I don’t know what that is, but it also sounds pretty fantastic.” She explained with a grin. The mere idea of it brought her joy even if she didn’t know what she was talking about, but unfortunately she had to leave all that to the side. “I better, or else there’s no point in trying.” 

“But why?” glenda asked, giving amelia a weird look. “Who are you and what have you done to careless Amelia?” she laughed. “You can’t be that determined to beat Gryffindor. Potter only makes a small percentage of the team.”

“Because I want to win for once, it’s not that difficult to understand. I’m surprised you are actually not all in considering how you boast about hating him.” Amelia said with a disapproving shake of her head. “And I haven’t done anything to old Amelia... she’s still here somewhere.” 

“Want a buddy?” She asked sincerely. Doris was struggling in potions and could use the help. Looking at one of the house elves, she smiled, “Can you make us some brownie batter, please, Silky?”

“I -uh, well sure?” Amelia replied, unaware that she had made her answer sound more like a question. She looked down and waved at the elf as well with a grin before turning to her. “That was easy, but... I have to be honest with you about something, just promise not to tell?”

“Oh wow. You may not want to be an explorer but you’re absolutely going to rock the world.” Doe replied, a large grin on her face. “I think I want to be an auror. Justice and all that.” She echoed the other’s sentiments.

“Yes, but not as a groupie.” Amelia mused before sighing. “I’d rather see justice getting done, so I think the Wizengamot will be a good place for me. It’s also where my parents work. I can see you being a good auror.” 

“Ugh, shut up Amelia, people might hear you.” she said, pulling her off to another corner of the common room so no one would hear. “Fine, yes, but nothing happened!” 

“No! I want to know details from start to finish... I’m just trying to take advantage of the situation.” Amelia commented with a bright smile. “Hufflepuff has to win the quidditch cup and you could help by bringing the Gryffindor captain down.”

“Because it’s Ed, he doesn’t know to shut up. But I am glad he brought this up because I really wanted to ask if you were out of your bloody mind.” he sighed. A frown appeared on his features as she said it was about Tristan. “What about him? Mel - you better not be keeping me in the dark about.. whatever the hell is going on.” 

“Alright, I just came up with a better question, why do we have tolerate him?” Amelia wondered with a roll of her eyes, shrugging at his comment. “Maybe I am, but clearly I’m not the only one. I’m not scared, Oscar.” She lowered her voice, trying not to bring attention to herself and began to poke her bagel with a fork. “He did it.”

“Ed.” he said, not too convinced by her brushing off the topic. “I don’t know what you both are up to but you better tell me now.”

“Why can’t he ever keep his big mouth shut about anything?” She shook her head before slamming what was left of the bagel on her empty plate. “It’s about Tristan.”

Doris reached out to tickle the pear at the entrance to the kitchens and held the portrait hole open for her friend, but frowned. “Why’s tonight going to be a long night?”

“Because I lose track of time when I’m high up in the clouds.” She mused, sticking her tongue out before entering the kitchn through the portrait. “I just have some studying to do later,” she lied.

“Studying.” She echoed with a grin. “Hmm… wait, you’re changing your future? What brought on this? Wanna talk about it?”

“My once great dream of travelling the world as a groupie after Hogwarts has changed. I would now much rather join the Winzengamot.” She commented. “I feel like justice is more important than playing rock and roll world explorer.”

“Not really but the teachers seem to believe that they should be the only things on our minds now.” She said shrugging “I wouldn’t mind if they were cancelled.”

“Exams are the last thing on my mind at the moment, can’t even bother with the idea, if I’m honest.” she commented. “Me neither, I say we start a movement to get them cancelled.”