CANYON MOON ▇▇▇▇ VOLUME ONE
━━ ❛ 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 ❜

chapter no. 009!

HEAD OF AUROR OFFICE FOUND DEAD

     As of late June, a long-time Ministry employee, Davey Gudgeon, was promoted as Head of the Auror office in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. While only being in the granted position for nearly five months, Gudgeon has proven to be successful in his field. Forty-three known killers and Death Eaters have been captured and taken to Azkaban due to his triumphant efforts to keep the Wizarding community safe. Many were enthusiastic about him being the Head and admired him greatly.

     Gudgeon was well on his way to being one of the best Aurors of our time until late last night. According to Magical Law Enforcement Patrol chief Bob Ogden, who was on the scene, it appeared that the Head Auror was murdered in his own home. While Ogden was not allowed to disclose much information about the case, he confirmed that the family members were being notified. The Ministry will not stop until they find the culprit behind this horrendous attack.

     Many have already started speculating that Gudgeon's murderer is a Death Eater. While no one can confirm this, we have heard from unknown sources that (ctd. page 2, column 4)

     Her eyes read the article for the ninth time before turning the page, her sky-blue eyes resting on the printed words that haunted her deeply.

     (ctd.) Gudgeon had recently discovered the hiding place of many Death Eaters and was about to tell someone before he was killed in his god-daughter's bedroom. Some wizards suspect that his murder may be connected to the hidden murders of Alastrina and Demetri Depraysie back in January. The Depraysie's were murdered in their home on January 3, in front of their daughter, Fawn Depraysie, a current student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The case of the Depraysie murders has remained concealed and unsolved and has, coincidentally, been re-opened and made public as of recently.

     To further add to this theory that many have begun to put stock into, Davey Gudgeon is also the godfather of Fawn Depraysie and took her in after her parents were killed. It is also rumored that no one knew about the Depraysie's death until now because it has ties to the re-awakening of He-Who-Must-Not-Ne-Named.

     Hopefully, the Wizarding community will be receiving some answers soon.

     Balling up the newspaper in her hands, she angrily threw it across the Owlery. Sliding down the old cobblestone wall, Fawn pulled her legs up to her chest and buried her head in them. The blonde let out a small sob, tears coming to the surface as cries racked their way up her spine.

     She'd skipped classes today. Never before had Fawn Depraysie missed a single class. Even if she was sick—she still showed. Today, however, was different. Fawn had no motivation or will to face anyone of the sort. Avoiding the whole school was easier than one would think if one knew where to hide.

     Footsteps approached the silent owlery post, and the blonde looked up, her bottom lip trembling as she saw Professor Dumbledore standing before her. Glancing away, she squeezed her eyes shut and sniffed.

     "I'm incredibly sorry for your loss, Miss Depraysie," the Headmaster spoke gently. "How're you doing?"

     Fawn's eyes snapped up, and she gulped. "I mean, it's January all over again. He killed the last member of my family, just like he said he would. Why should I be surprised?" she asked, a bitter edge evident in her tone of voice.

     Dumbledore frowned deeply, his twinkling blue eyes narrowing the tiniest bit. "Because you love him," he said softly, "and when we lose someone we love, we hurt. We grieve." The Ravenclaw nodded absentmindedly, her vision blurring. "Are you attending his funeral tomorrow?"

     She nodded again, brushing away her tears. "Bob Ogden is a good friend of Davey's. He's coming to pick me up before dinner. I assume you already know that," she mumbled, glancing up at the man.

     Pressing his lips together, Dumbledore nodded and folded his hands together. "If you wish to talk to anyone about how you feel, my office doors are always open, Fawn. Do not forget that." He spoke quietly, placing a hand on her shoulder before leaving.

     She leaned her head against the wall and sighed heavily, watching the white puffs of air exit her lips. December was approaching quickly, and the school grounds grew icier daily. The grass was frozen over in the early morning, so it wasn't long before snow made its grand opening.

     The sound of panicked footsteps echoed loudly, and Fawn wiped away her tears, sniffing as a familiar face sprinted into the Owlery. Standing up, she furrowed her eyebrows as Hermione came running towards her at full force, wrapping her arms around her tightly, and they wobbled side-to-side at the sudden impact of their bodies colliding.

     "Her—"

     Before she could utter the rest of the girl's name, the Gryffindor pulled away and pressed her lips against hers. Immediately, Fawn grabbed onto her waist and pulled her closer. All thoughts of Davey, the funeral, and the heartbreak she felt vanished as her eyes fluttered shut and she melted in Hermione's arms.

     The two of them hadn't kissed since their date at the Three Broomsticks, and neither had made a move to try to since they were always with either Harry and Ron or in class.

      So, in honor of finally getting the opportunity to kiss the girl she had begun falling for, Fawn took full advantage of it. Parting her lips, she moved them against Hermione's, breathing in her presence like it was a drug. Being this close to one another sent a spiral of warmth that ignited their bodies. Their lips molded perfectly together, and Fawn felt herself melting into her touch, her muscles relaxing more as she felt Hermione's hand run through her hair slowly.

     Eventually, they both pulled away, breathless.

     "Can I ask you something potentially ridiculous?" Hermione asked, clearing her throat as she gazed up at the blonde. Fawn nodded as her breath evened out, giving the girl in front of her a curious look. "Can I come with you? I know you leave tonight, but I want to be here for you. I completely understand if you want to be alone and go to the funeral alone, but—"

     "Yes," Fawn breathed, interrupting the girl in front of her. "Yes, please."