Teddy’s hands scrabbled wildly against the burning rocks, searching for purchase. Feet smashed into him as the room roared with panic from all sides. He glanced behind him, not able to make out anything except the source of the bright flame.

“Teddy! Teddy! Where are you?”

Teddy’s head rose as he attempted to pull himself up. Had that been Rowel? His legs gave out underneath him leaving him to fall once again onto the scorching ground.

“Rowel, quickly!” Teddy rasped, as loudly as he could manage. He felt ashes burn his throat at the words.

“Is – is that a person?”

Teddy glanced up, weakly, his eyes meeting those of a shadowy figure over him. Were they going to help him or leave him here to die?

“Yes, yes, help!” He wailed.

“Dana, come on, let’s go!” Another voice coughed.

“TEDDY!”

Confused, Teddy felt arms grip his and pull him to his feet as fire tickled at his heels.

“Thank you,” He muttered, his eyes searching through the unusual yellow smoke that swirled around him as his savior ran into the crowds. Were his friends safe? Was he even safe yet? His skin burned in agony as he joined the thinning crowds – people were escaping.

“Teddy! C’mon we gotta get out!” Rowel’s voice roared.

Teddy screamed and ran towards the voice as the fire inflicted unbearable pain under his skin. Who was the bloody idiot who threw that root in? His mind raged with panic and anger. What was that even? His legs struggled over the rocks as he pushed through the sweaty bodies around him.

“There you are,” Teddy rasped his eyes finding Rowel’s tall figure through the smog. “Where’s the exit?”

Rowel ran towards Teddy and grabbed his arm, dragging him towards the slope marking the exit. Students clambered over one another roaring at one another, seeking out their friends... Victorie!

“Rowel, have you seen Victorie?” Teddy demanded, planting to the spot, the ground burning the soles of his shoes.

“Haven’t seen much of anyone,” Rowel said through gritted teeth, trying to pull Teddy towards the exit. “We need to leave, now!”

“What about Abigal?” Teddy persisted allowing his friend to take the lead.

“Your ex-girlfriend?” Rowel roared, sounding irritated. “She’s probably fine, but we aren’t! We need to leave now.”

Teddy didn’t respond his blood raging with smoldering heat through his veins. With very pump, his heart poured out unthinkable pain. He stared wildly around him as they made their way up the steep rocks to the hole in the ceiling. His hands clutched at it madly, seeking purchase on the jutting rocks. Once upon a time this tunnel had been a secret between Rowel and himself. Now, it was a cavern filled with fear and agonizing pain.

“My legs,” Teddy whispered, slowing his pace. Not only did they burn like an everlasting fire, but they were incredibly sore from the Quidditch game last night that had felt so long ago.

“Come on, we have to keep going!” Rowel hissed, pulling him forward.

A hail storm of rubble crashed down from the ceiling sending up flaming gravel pieces flying. The remaining party guests screamed and cried, flinging themselves towards the exit as a large boulder crashed to the ground, shaking the ground.

Teddy turned for a moment as he reached the exit at last, his eyes scanning the scene he had left behind. To his utter horror, a few students were still far behind, struggling to get over the falling rocks. Rowel shoved him through roughly, not waiting for him to pity the others. Finally he tumbled into the fresh air of the corridor.

“We’re out,” Rowel coughed, rubbing his burns. “We made it. We actually made it.”

Teddy rolled onto his back, panting as he stared at the high ceiling. Professors stalked back and forth contemplating what to do. Pain blurred his vision as he let himself relax. Relax as much as he could, that is.

“Boy, what did he throw in the fire?”

Teddy recognized, Professor Vell, the Potions Master, gazing at him intently.

“Did you get a good look at it?” He pressed on, awaiting Teddy to speak.

Teddy tried to recall what he had seen but his mind was already clouded by so many thoughts. He sat up, trying to slow his breathing as well as his thoughts.

“It was some sort of root,” Teddy spoke slowly getting his thoughts in order. “You know, brown, odd shaped. Almost like the rotten thing that grows off a potato after its stale. I dunno – it wasn’t anything special.”

Rowel nodded his agreement as he stood up slowly.

“Do you know who put the root in the fire?”

Teddy turned to see Professor Milldew, the headmaster, striding over to them. He was an incredibly tall and lean man with shaggy dark gray hair meeting his shoulders. His rounded features that usually showed signs of kindness were hard and cold, his dark brown eyes narrowed in intense anger.

“I don’t know.” Teddy said softly. “I saw him but I don’t think I – er – recognized him. Please sir, you have to go help the others. They aren’t safe. The fire’s crazy and rocks are -”

“Mr. Edward Lupin, it is our position to decide how we shall prevail.” Professor Milldew said his tone even. “Do not worry, your fellow students will be safe, I can swear it. Miranda, Alex!” He turned to Professor Brindyhook and Crimson who were comforting wailing and crying students. “I ask of you to risk your life for our students. I ask you to enter the passageway.”

Professor Brindyhook did not respond – he swept over to the opening without hesitation.

“I wouldn’t reject for anything,” Proffesor Crimson noted swiftly.

“I need to speak with some of my students,” Milldew said, his eyes meeting Teddy’s in a knowing way. “Tell me, is there anyone else I should question about tonight’s events, Edward?”

Teddy glanced at the floor. Why me? He wondered, his head spinning. Why today? “I prefer Teddy…” He told the headmaster slowly. “And yes, Rowel… Rowel and Abigal… Er – Dustin?”

Milldew nodded, seeming deep in thought as Rowel approached having overheard them talking. He then gestured Abigal over, her face solid as stone, blankly staring as she stumbled towards them. Teddy met her gaze sadly, knowing just how traumatic this was for her.

“That should be enough,” Milldew said, flashing a grin to comfort their stunned faces. “This way please.”

Teddy followed the headmaster down the corridor Rowel and Abigal quietly falling in behind. Did this really just happen? Is this reality? He pondered. Can this be a dream? His legs failed to keep up, every movement stinging. And why do I have to talk to Professor Milldew? I barely even know what happened! They turned down another corridor, their footsteps echoing through the empty halls.

“Have – have you seen Dustin?” Abigal whispered in a small voice, biting her bottom lip in dismay while her eyes glowed with fear.

Rowel and Teddy shook their heads, looking at their feet. How many people were still down there? Had anyone… died?

Abigal’s face turned a light green as she steadied herself, taking deep breaths to calm down. “He’s probably fine – you know, with his friends and everything, right?” She said a grin perpetually forming on her face to hide how she felt.

Teddy looked away. Did Dustin make out alive? Butterflies, that felt like elephants with wings, fluttered madly in his chest causing him to sway slightly. Who had he lost to the all-consuming fire? Images of terror swam before his eyes – Dustin crushed under a boulder, Victorie burning alive… and Meggie, still drunk and dancing as the flames licked at her heels… He felt himself grow pale, realizing he had left them there… he hadn’t even tried to help. And if they were dead? Teddy would never look at himself the same way. He glanced at Rowel who seemed quite troubled himself.

 Rowel met his gaze and shook his head, practically reading Teddy’s mind. “It’s not our fault,” He muttered for Teddy alone to hear, his eyes betraying his words. “What could we have done?”

Something, Teddy answered mentally. Anything…

“Here we are,” Milldew said as they stopped at a giant bronze bust of an eagle placed in a nook of the wall – its wings elegantly outstretched. “Pig Pimples!” He exclaimed.

Gone was the time Teddy would have chuckled at the Headmaster’s puny choice of words. Instead he glanced at him quizzically. Milldew just nodded towards the statue.

Amazed, Teddy watched as it slowly spun upwards, dragging a spiral bronze staircase with it. Even as a fifteen year old wizard, things still surprised him, despite the dire circumstances. It clunked slowly to a stop as Milldew stepped onto the staircase, gesturing for the others to follow. Up, they went to a large wooden door, accented by a silver knocker shaped in the Hogwarts Crest. Milldew pushed the door open and moved inside Rowel, Teddy and Abigal on his heels.

Never, after five years at Hogwarts, had Teddy been in the headmaster’s office. It was a large circular room, covered in shelves and small tables sporting knick knacks and magical doo-hickeys. A large oak desk stood grandly in the center, facing them. Along the rounded walls, portraits of past headmaster’s snored lazily in their frames while others watched with wide eyes as the students took the seats in front of the desk, Milldew placing himself in the largest of the chairs behind his desk.

“Where did you run off to, headmaster?”

Teddy’s head whipped around. Soon his eyes caught on the source of the noise – a tall woman with dark gray hair in a tight bun was watching them through her frame. She wore glasses lowered knowledgably on her nose in front of her gray eyes. Underneath read the inscription “MINERVA McGONNAGALL.”

“There has been quite an incident in the passageway Severus closed.” Milldew explained, toying with something Teddy recognized as a Pocket Sneakscope – an interesting wizarding tool able to alert its owners of dark wizards nearby.

“In utmost respect, headmaster, I do not see why you opened up these passages again.” McGonnagall said promptly.

Milldew put the Pocket Sneakscope back down upon the desk his eyes meeting hers. “Can one not secretly enter Honeyduke’s in peace anymore?” He said, amusement twinkling in his gaze. “I am here to converse with the children not you, may I add.”

“Professor? What did you mean by Pig Pimples?” Rowel asked politely, his eyes still scanning the room with interest.

A smile played across the old man’s face. “Ah, yes. Just a password but one that indeed captures the essence of Hogs and warts, yes? Pigs and Pimples,” He chuckled. “Just a little play on words is all.”

“But I must address a more serious matter with you this evening, my children. Tonight a tragedy occurred.” He spoke in a soothing voice but Teddy couldn’t help but feel sick to his stomach now that the conversation had taken a turn.  “Why is that?”

Abigal was too stunned to speak, her face as white as freshly fallen snow as she stared at the ground, biting her lip.

“It was a birthday party for Abigal and Dustin,” Rowel said simply. He seemed very comfortable speaking to Milldew. “Teddy told them about the passageway though. You said something about that passage being closed off … by Severus Snape?”

Milldew nodded. “You a very knowledgeable boy, Mr. Luciber. Severus Snape was a previous headmaster of Hogwarts if only for a year.” He explained. “No, Snape’s portrait is not here in my office. It’s a shame… he was convicted as a bad man when he was really a spy for us to defeat Lord Voldemort.”

“Perhaps I should explain this, Professor Milldew.”

Teddy’s eyes traveled to the portrait directly behind Milldew where a face he recognized smiled wisely. His brilliant aqua blue eyes shone brilliantly beyond his half-moon spectacles on his crooked nose. A silver beard fell gently down his chest. Teddy knew this man. This was none other than Albus Dumbledore.

“Severus Snape closed off the passageways to stop students from entering and leaving. Of course he forgot one very important passageway to the Hog’s Head.” Dumbledore said. “Egor Milldew, your very headmaster, decided to open these passages back up, see? Now, back to the matter at hand.”

“Yes, what sort of party was it?” Milldew pressed on.

“It – It was a sort of bonfire party.” Teddy tried to explain. “A Sweet – er – sixteen party.”

Dumbledore chuckled softly and muttered something that sounded like, “Parties these days…”

“Then this boy threw a root in the fire and it just exploded.” Rowel explained leaning forward with wide eyes. “It was bright yellow. You really couldn’t –”

“Headmaster!”

The door burst open. Professor Crimson, Brindyhook and Vell appeared in the doorway, their faces showing identical stunned looks. Teddy caught his breath – this couldn’t be good.

“It was Gubraithian Fire!” roared Professor Vell his face contorted in rage. “A root!”

Milldew stood, his cloak swooshing around his ankles. “What?”

“What is that?” Teddy asked, not really expecting an answer.

Rowel leaned over. “It’s everlasting fire,” He whispered. “Professor Milldew planted a Gubraithian Fire tree awhile back. You know, before we were born. It’s difficult magic. No one teaches how to do it Hogwarts. I suppose the boy stole it from the potion stores. They’re used in potions but - but only really advanced potions. I wonder what Vell was using it for…”

Teddy blinked, taken aback by Rowel’s vast knowledge of these things. Panic suddenly filled his system making him freeze up. “You mean, it’ll be on fire for – forever?”

Rowel slapped his forehead, his face falling into panic. His mouth gaped open like a fish out of water.

“The school!” Milldew roared. “What can we do?”

“It’s okay for now,” Crimson said evenly. “We’ve trapped the fire into the passageway. It won’t hurt the rest of the school. But the tunnel…”

 “That it is the least of our worries at the moment.” Dumbledore told the panicked professors. “We must do whatever it takes to care for the students. They will be in need of us more than ever.”

 Milldew nodded. “Were there students down there?” He asked.

The professors nodded.

At this Abigal lost all the control she’d been maintaining. Tears splattered down her cheeks as she placed her head on the desk, not able to meet anyone’s gaze.

Teddy’s heart plummeted, realizing how scary this was for her – for all of them. His body was frozen to the spot, fear holding him immobile. He looked at Abigal’s face, half hidden by her hair that fell over her face and her arm as a tear streamed down it, her eyes shut tightly as though trying to wake up from a nightmare.

“Didn’t you save them?” Rowel asked, arms flailing.

“As many as we could.” Professor Crimson noted, gazing at the floor.

“Is there a punishment?” Brindyhook asked, swaying on the spot nervously. “For the children?”

“That shouldn’t be our immediate focus.” Milldew decided, sweeping towards the door. “We must tend to the students.”

Teddy had almost forgotten the unbearable pain from the burns he had received tonight. His body screamed in protest as he stood to leave.

“Children,” Milldew said turning towards them. “Calm down your housemates. You need sleep. Do any of you need hospital wing care immediately?

Teddy and Rowel shook their heads.

Abigal, however, was unmoving her face planted on the desk, shoulders shaking from crying.

Teddy gripped her shoulders gently and helped her to her feet. Surprisingly, she didn’t protest, her face hidden in her hands as she silently sobbed. He directed her slowly towards the exit, hoping somehow he could make things better. Make everything go back to normal… He knew that couldn’t happen. Not after everything that happened tonight. And perhaps he should have at least tried to save some of the others, but at that moment, he wanted nothing more than to drop into bed, fall asleep and forget.

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Author's Note:

Hey guys! I wanted to let you know about the cast I added to the story. If you're on the app, unfortunately you won't be able to see it. Therefore, I decided to write it down here so you can see it for yourself! 

Luke Newberry as Teddy

Elle Fanning as Meggie

Georgie Henley as Abigal

Alfred Enoch as Rowel

Addy Miller as Victorie

Elle Darcey- Alden as Lily

Ryan Turner as Hugo

Helena Barlow as Rose

Arthur Bowen as Albus

Will Dunn as James

I'm aware that the actors on this list aren't very well known but it was hard to find the perfect people. The ages of the actors are not really spot on. I mean, the guy who plays Rowel is twenty five! Just try and picture them as fifteen and sixteen year olds. Happy reading!