Waiting at the Hog's Head

Getting the younger students out had been something of an objective for the Upper School students. Trowa was one of those desperate to get the students out before something awful happened to them. He’d gone through the tunnel before Rafael but he could hear the Gryffindor’s footsteps behind him. He could hear the mumbles of reassurance he whispered as they worked their way down the long, exceedingly dark tunnel. The Room of Requirement had done what the legend had said it would. Trowa hadn’t believed it at the time and the magic-sceptic had been equally as floored as he’d been by the door that had appeared – promising their salvation. Trowa at this point didn’t know whether that salvation was worth staggering down a tunnel in the middle of the night while people overhead battled it out for Merlin only knew what. Then again, if it got the kiddies to safety then it would be worth it.

“Explain to me again,” He called out to no one in particular, “Why this was a good idea?”

Trowa heard a sigh of exasperation from Millie, a little girl who seemingly knew everything there was to know about Hogwarts. With her bright blonde hair piled up on top of her head and her thick-framed glasses perched on the end of her little button nose – she was the cutest little thing. Trowa had already ruffled her feathers that night and she looked about ready to beat him with the book she clutched against her chest. He’d asked enough stupid questions to sink five ships and a couple of German U-Boats. However, she seemed particularly amused by Trowa’s faux-idiocy and so he continued to indulge her. It wasn’t that he enjoyed listening to her berate him for not reading Hogwarts: A History, it was that it seemingly kept the morale up amongst the students. She’d scold him, a round of “Shut-Up, Millie!”’s would resound within the group and all would be well again.

“Look!” Liam shouted out before Millie had a chance to open his mouth. “Light!”

Liam bolted from the rest of the group and it wasn’t long until more students took off after him. Trowa cursed his rotten luck. Only he could find himself stuck with a bunch of kids that wouldn’t listen. Then again, he didn’t blame them. He wanted out of the tunnel just as much as they did and so he too hurried along a little bit.

Trowa emerged from the tunnel just as Liam was picking himself up off of the floor. Trowa managed to keep his footing and he turned around to lift some of the younger students out of the mouth of the tunnel. Rafael was further behind but it looked as if they’d seen the light too. It wouldn’t take long for them to emerge either, hopefully.

“Blimey!” Liam exclaimed from beside Millie. “We must be in the Hog’s Head! My father comes here all the time! Can’t think why though...”

Trowa laughed and straightened up after he lifted the last of his lot out of the tunnel. Trowa ran his fingers through his hair as his other hand went to the pockets of his robes. He frowned when he realised he’d forgotten to pick up his cigarettes that evening and he shuffled his feet, his tongue flicking out to lick his lips. He needed to relax – maybe have a drink. Knowing Rafael...he probably had some cigarettes in his pocket – especially if the rumours about his ‘hell-raising’ brother were true.

The energy in everyone was slowly lessening and lessening. The little girl that Rafael had, had hold of had long since fallen asleep, her head having fallen onto his shoulder. Though, to keep spirits up...the boys had begun to sing. The only thing Rafael wished was that it was a clean song instead of,

“I hate this army, it makes my feet feel flat, I must be barmy – because I’m a still twat – only a bunch of wollies would fight Napoleon. A-boom-de-ay, a-boom-de-ay...”

Rafael didn’t mind as much as he should have done, perhaps. It made him smile to hear the poorly-stifled laughter that sprang up within them as they reached a particular line. Thankfully, those that were ahead – Trowa and his band – found light and Rafael was thankful it wouldn’t take much longer to get his Gryffindors to safety. He knew by the tone of the singing that they were getting a little bit antsy and the girls seemed to be shrinking towards either Rafael himself or some of the elder boys. Much like Trowa’s lot had done, as soon as the boys saw the light, they took off. Rafael called out to them but they took no notice and continued on.

Just like Trowa had done, Rafael picked up his pace and he jogged towards the exit. However, unlike Trowa, Rafael tripped on his way out. He stumbled, managing to crash into the table nearest the tunnel exit. Amazingly enough, the girl that had fallen asleep had not stirred. Rafael put a hand on her back to check whether or not she was still alive. Thankfully she was – she was just out for the count.

It didn’t take long for everyone to scramble out of the tunnel. Rafael righted his glasses and glanced down there to make sure everyone was out before straightening up and looked at their new surroundings. As one of Trowa’s lads had said...they were in the Hog’s Head. Rafael had sat in there a few times but he didn’t think he’d actually use it as some sort of base. He felt slightly better knowing that they were safe now but there was the possibility that the Death Eaters were going to flood into Hogsmeade. Rafael didn’t want to take that chance. They needed somewhere for these children to go. The Hog’s Head wasn’t going to cut it unfortunately.

The children were heading towards the booths, the hot leather looking seemingly comfortable to their lidded eyes. Rafael laid down his charge in one of the booths and helped a few others up. Some even curled up on the carpets though it didn’t look as if anyone could really sleep. Rafael sighed and made his way over to Trowa. Rafael took his wand from his pocket and flicked it at the fireplace. A fire bloomed immediately and the warmth radiated into the pub.

“It’ll be alright,” Rafael told him. “I’m sure of it.”

Mira had followed closely behind Renny in the passageway with a small group of young children. It was strange to be responsible for the lives of little children. Where at first she had thought all she wanted was to run now she was sure that this was what she was supposed to be doing. Saving these children. Unfortunately not much saving was being done while Renny and some adult blabbed on about the safety of her least favorite person - Chase Moor. Not that she wanted her dead, but they were wasting time here. Before she could raise her concerns they were on to a new subject and Mira was distracted by Rafael talking.

His voice was calming even now. It will be alright

"It can't be safe here." Mira said loudly to interput adults conversation. "Is there another place they are bringing children? We can't be the only ones." That seemed impossible they could be the only heroes in this blasted castle. Renny was back at the castle but Mira had to make sure the kids already brought here made it to true safety.

(Renny's already back in the castle, Mira)

(Opps, editing)

Reid had not even noticed the other girl that entered with Renny, because she and her gaggle of kids have been obscured by the first group. Now he began ushering the children towards him, and they walked uncertainly forward. "It's okay, you guys. Mt friend Calvin went down the hall and into one of those rooms. They're going to relax and stay safe. Why don't you go join them?"

One of the older boys nodded and reached down to grab his sister's hand. They began the procession and Reid turned his attention to the remaining spitfire. He nodded his head sadly. "As far as I know, we're the only safe place right now. Until we get word otherwise, we have to keep them here. There are wards protecting the Hog's Head at times like these."