135 Closing Hogwarts

The World stood still for Harry, Ron, and Matthew as they watched the pale, cold, and unmoving Body of the bushy-haired girl on the Bed. Matthew was deep in his self regret and just stared at the body until a white light entered the Infirmary. A silvery-white phoenix arrived in front of Professor McGonagall who stood beside the three boys with a sad look and glassy eyes while they processed what they saw.

"Minerva gather all the Students in the Great Hall. I have something to tell the Student body." Came the voice of Professor Dumbledore from the white glowing bird. Once the Message stopped the Patronus disappeared in thin air.

"I will accompany you to the Great Hall. But first, we need to stop at the Gryffindor Common Room to get the other students." Said McGonagall heavily, "The Headmaster will address the Students. You will also follow us, Mr. Mason. Professor Flitwick knows that you are with me."

"Yes Professor." Said Matthew with a quiet voice.

"What will happen now Professor?" asked Harry with a lifeless voice.

"I don't know Mr. Potter. The School will probably be closed. For how long I have no idea." Explained the Professor as she guided them to the Gryffindor Tower.

Once arrived she gathered all members of the House and addressed them, "We will head now to the Great Hall together where the Headmaster will explain the Situation and address the future of the School."

The Gryffindors realized that the Situation must be serious as they followed McGonagall through the ancient Castle. Silently whispering with each other they arrived at the Great Hall, where the members of Hufflepuff and Slytherin were already present since their common Rooms are closer to the great hall. A few minutes later the Ravenclaws also arrived and Matthew joined them at their table.

Whisper spread through the whole Hall as rumors spread among the Students until the Door to the Teacher Lounge opened and Professor Dumbledore stepped into the Hall. The Great Hall suddenly became dead silent.

"Today is a dark day for everyone." Said Dumbledore, looking around the Great Hall, he seemed far older than ever and the twinkle in his eyes dimmed, "There is much I would like to tell you today. A few hours ago we were still happily anticipating the Quidditch Match today, but the events took a dark turn. We lost two of our own who should be standing here right now." He announced with a grave voice.

Many Students paled and began to look around in order to find the Identity of the Deceased, some even had tears in their eyes. After a few moments, his friends realized who was missing and stared at him with sadness in their eyes.

"Yes, it pains me that I have to announce the Death of two Ravenclaw Students namely Hermione Granger one of the brightest Witches to ever walk through these halls, and Penelope Clearwater a highly respected Prefect who always helped her fellow students. Without them, Hogwarts won't ever be the same." He revealed.

While the majority of the Students looked sad at that news there were some Slytherins who chuckled and nodded as if someone did something good. Amongst them was Draco Malfoy who muttered, "Good riddance of the worthless Mudbloods." But he quickly shut up as he felt Dumbledore's ice-cold gaze on him.

"The last time a Student died in Hogwarts was 50 years ago under similar circumstances, also through the opening of the Chamber of Secrets. The Ministry choose to apprehend the same Suspect as last time and transported him to Azkaban. But since his guilt was never proved, I have to announce with a heavy heart. Hogwarts will be closed from today on for an in-definitive period." Said Dumbledore as he watched the Students through his half-moon glasses.

'Shit. Hermione is dead. Hogwarts is closed. And the Timeline is completely screwed. Even if I reveal Ginny and the Diary now as the culprits, I would be in a bad light. I let this shit happen after all even though I knew the truth. Everything is wrong. I am so sorry Hermione.' He ranted inside his head as his sadness turned into anger, 'And that fucking Ferret mocks her. And the stupid Ministry again captured Hagrid without any proof. Why is this happening? Where did I go wrong.'

While Matthew had his inner hate monologue Dumbledore continued with his Announcement, "The Hogwarts Express will leave tomorrow morning. Until then please pack your things and prepare yourself for your travel home. Don't leave the Common Room. The Castle is to my greatest regret no longer Safe for anyone." Added the white-bearded Headmaster with a deep sigh.

"We will have Dinner now since we are already here. Afterward, you will follow your Head of House back to your Common Room where you will stay and prepare yourself for your Departure tomorrow." He ended his Announcement as he waved his hands and Food appeared in front of the Students.

Even though the tables were filled with a feast, the atmosphere inside the Great Hall was troubled. Many Students were just silent and eat their meals while staring at their plates. There were only a few hushed whispers here and there. Meanwhile, Cho sat down beside Matthew and lay a hand on his.

"Matthew how are you?" she asked with a concerned Voice.

"Not now Cho. I just can't talk about it right now. I can't believe she just died like that." He replied with a sad smile.

Cho wanted to add something, but decided and just sat and eat beside him while giving him comfort alone through her presence. Once the Students finished they follow their Head of House out of the Great Hall. While Matthew followed the group of Ravenclaws behind Professor Flitwick, he spotted a head full of Platinum Blond Hair in the Group following the dark twirling Ropes of Hogwarts Potion Master.

That was the moment when Matthew's darker emotions amplified through his grief took a hold of him. In his anger, he wandless cast one of the nastier Curses he knew. Even though all his anger and wrath he was aware enough to not use something like the unforgivables although for a moment he wanted to. No, he was aware enough to secretly cast a curse he had from the Last Scroll he collected in Azkaban. The Curse was one related to nightmares and fear, it would torture the Malfoy heir with his greatest fears for months. They would become stronger and stronger and corrode his mental state until only insanity remained.

He didn't regret that he just basically ended a life. In his opinion the future death Eater deserved it and nobody would be able to prove that he was responsible for it since the Curse should be unknown to anyone and he didn't use a Wand for it.

He followed his fellow Ravenclaws to their Common Room. He was the walker at the end of the Group and they kept their distance from him. Just as he wanted to enter the Common Room behind the others he got stopped by Professor Flitwick.

"Do you want to talk to me, Mr. Mason? If you want we could head to my office and discuss the events of today with a cup of tea." Offered the small Professor.

"No thank you, Professor. The wounds are too fresh. I don't think I am in the right state of mind for now for such a discussion." He said realizing how dark and angry he just acted a few minutes ago dooming a Student to insanity. 'Was that a normal reaction?' he pondered before he realized he was still standing before Professor Flitwick, "Maybe once we return to school in a few weeks or months? If." He added.

"Okay, but please talk with someone once you are ready, Mr. Mason." Said the Half-goblin concerned.

"Yes Professor. Good night." He said as he stepped into their Common Room where he ignored the sad stares and looks of pity from the other Students. While he entered his Trunk inside their Sleeping Dorm.

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