Jamia was frozen in the doorway of the hospital wing for a few moments after Frank had swept past her. She didn't know what to do. She knew Frank had every reason to be upset with her, but she also knew that her family wasn't happy about her decision to stop aiding in their plans.

Her mind buzzed with what was happening. A spell was coating the castle, students were missing from the hospital wing, and there was definitely a heavy feeling in the air. Her mother had to be here, but where? She wouldn't dare step foot inside the castle... Would she?

After all she had done, the answer was unclear.

Jamia bit her lip. She had to be near, but not here. She hopped her mother wasn't too close.

Jamia backed out of the hospital wing. She needed to find her mother. She needed to end this. Without another thought, she bolted from the hall.

---

"Gerard!" Frank yelled as he slid into the school library. He knew he would be scolded by the librarian, but this was one of the first places Frank had thought to look. Quite often, Gerard would study with some Ravenclaws here in preparation for upcoming lessons or homework.

"Gerard!?" Frank's voice became more of a whispered yell now.

He moved down rows of shelves, feeling a strange eeriness surrounding them. Around the middle of the library, Frank saw another spot of slumped over bodies. He swore lowly, shifting his footing before running towards them.

When he came upon them, he could almost immediately recognize the four students that were either slumped over the desk, leaning against one another, or sprawled out across the floor.

Ray was slumped in top of an open spells book on a small table at the front of the group. On the ground beside him, arm dangling on the table top in a strange position as she leaned against the same table, was a Gryffindor girl Frank shared classes with. He believed her name was Sara something or other. Leaning just slightly against her was another Ravenclaw, Kenny. Sprawled out on the ground just a foot or two away was a blue haired Gryffindor, Josh; their house chaser.

"You guys too?" Frank asked out loud after several attempts to wake them. He straightened his posture, feeling a wave of dread wash over him. Something weird was happening... Why was everyone asleep?..

His mind suddenly jumped to the instance where Jamia shouted a protection spell and pushed him down on the stairs.

"What all does she know?" Frank asked out loud, though no one could hear him.

He spun around in a circle, unsure where to go or what to do next. He was actually beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed. He had just been relieved from the effects of a potion that clouded his thoughts since Christmas. Now that it was cleared, so much was suddenly happening that it was hard to comprehend. What the hell was happening around him, as well as in his head? He reached up and tugged at his hair.

"Keep it together!" He muttered to himself through gritted teeth. He couldn't freak out when he still needed to find Gerard. His eyes shut tightly as he attempted to sort through his thoughts.

When he opened in his eyes, he was surprised to be greeted by a ball of light. It was small, blue, and hovered around Frank's chest level. He tilted his head at it, trying to distinguish a form out of the light. However, there was nothing distinguishable in it.

"Jamia?" Frank looked around as he asked, "Gerard?"

The light suddenly flickered. It shot from side to side, leaving a trail of fading whispy blue light behind it. When Frank turned back to it, the light bounced in the air before beginning to move away from him.

"Who's doing that?" Frank asked, pulling out his wand. The response he received was the school shaking once again. Frank struggled to remain on his feet, while the four unconscious students shifted positions slightly. Books fell off of the shelves and overhead chandeliers swung from side to side but, as abruptly as it started, it quickly stopped.

Frank took a second to regain his breath before looking back at the ball of light. It now floated at the end of a row of bookshelves, as if waiting for Frank to follow. Unsure of what other options he really had, he cautiously stepped forward to follow it.

"I hope that's you, Gerard." He whispered with uncertainty.

The light began to move again once Frank grew closer. It lead him down rows of shelves and out of the library. He followed blindly as it lead him through several halls that eventually spilled into the castle's main entrance.

"Where am I going?" Frank asked with irritation. He still had no idea what was really going on here.

In response, the light suddenly dove to the side. Frank leaned over the stone railing of the front steps of the castle, seeing it tuck itself into a dark corner. Frank attempted to get a better look at it, but found himself falling forward as if someone had grabbed the front of his vest. He cried out as he fell into the dark, landing with a dull thud. He sucked in a sharp breath, ready to release a string of non-magical curses when a voice carried through the air.

"Where are you taking me?" Jamie's voice demanded.

"Your mother requests you." Frank's eyes widened at the sound of that voice. Professor Howell? It sounded like him, but there was something just slightly off about his voice...

"So she is here?" Jamia had a knowing tone underlying her question.

"She has been for days." Professor Howell replied.

Their footsteps echoed, as if they were walking down the castle steps. "How much of that time has she been using you?" Jamia's question was almost a whisper, but Frank was still able to catch her words.

A heavy audible sigh, "Have you really not brushed up on your unforgivable curses? Who do you think slipped the headmistress the thing that got her out of the school, you stupid girl."

Frank remained hidden as he heard their footsteps cross over the grass. He shrunk further into the dark spot he had fallen into as the professor and Jamia started walking along the grass.

"Where exactly is my mother hiding?" Jamia asked. Frank could see her head held high, but her eyes were cast downward.

"I'm taking you to her." Even Professor Howell's posture was off as he walked. It was just different, but Frank couldn't put a finger on it.

"If she's really controling you, must she speak in third person?"

"Bite your tongue. Her magic is spread out enough with the other two she had to subdue."

Frank watched as the two continued across the grass, out of his sight. Other two? Could he have meant another professor... Or, possibly, Gerard?

Frank rose to his feet before pulling out his wand. The ball of light had vanished as soon as he fell, so this was the best lead he had. He sucked in one quiet breath before quietly stepping forward in order to follow after Professor Howell & Jamia from a safe distance.