Meanwhile, Archimedes flew into the kitchen window while Sirius and Andromeda were having supper. Sirius untied the letter from the owl’s ankle.

 “It’s from Hogwarts,” he said, opening the envelope.

 “I wonder why they sent us an owl this late,” Andromeda moved her chair closer to Sirius, who pulled out the letter and unfolded it.

Dear Mr Black and Mrs Tonks,

 We regret to inform you that there has been an incident that occurred earlier today that we would like to bring to your attention.

 Delphini broke into the Chamber of Secrets by Side-Apparition alongside her house-elf and kidnapped James Potter, a sixth-year student. Mr Potter reported that he has no recollection of how he entered the chamber. We suppose that Delphini placed him under the Imperius Curse.

 Luckily, Marigold Lupin-Black, a seventh-year student and the current Head Girl, was able to save Mr Potter in time. However, Delphini reportedly used the Cruciatus Curse against Miss Lupin-Black, leaving her in a state of coma.

 Miss Lupin-Black is currently under the care of the Hogwarts matron, Madam Hannah Abbott, and we are unsure when or whether she would wake up, or whether she will suffer from any other side effects.

 Delphini seems to have fled the school after the incident. However, we will continue to be on the lookout for her in case she decides to return.

 Once again, we deeply apologise for our negligence that placed two of our students in danger.

Neville Longbottom

Deputy Headmaster

 “I can’t believe it,” Andromeda whispered to herself, horrified. “Those poor kids.”

 Meanwhile, Sirius, who was trembling with fury, crinkled the letter in his clenched fists, cursing Delphini under his breath before turning to his cousin.

 “Andy, you remember what happened to Frank and Alice after that bitch tortured them, don’t you?”

 “How can I forget?” Andromeda said sadly. “I still feel so bad for Neville.”

 “Do you think….?” Sirius trembled in fear; he couldn’t dare say the words out loud.

 “Don’t worry, Sirius, Marigold will be fine. Ted and I were tortured before and we were alright. I’m sure she’ll be just fine.” Andromeda assured him, although she didn’t sound too sure.

 “We better go to Hogwarts,” Sirius said, getting up from the table. “We need to check on Marigold.”

 “We’ll go as soon as we wake up tomorrow morning, it’s too late now,” Andromeda said. “I’ll go ahead and start packing. Will you write to Teddy?”

 “Of course,” Sirius said, leaving to look for parchment and a quill.

* * *

 The next morning, Lorenzo, with Teddy and Victoire tailing behind him, soared towards Hogwarts like three geese heading south.

 Meanwhile, Sirius and Andromeda, who had just arrived at the Gargoyle Corridor, could hear angry shouts coming from the Headmistress’s office; they looked at each other and shrugged.

 “Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore,” Sirius stated.

 The gargoyle turned around to reveal a staircase. Sirius and Andromeda stepped onto it.

 Once they arrived at the Headmistress’s office, Sirius and Andromeda saw Mrs Laird shouting at Professors McGonagall and Longbottom, while Andrew begged her to calm down.

 “How could you be so irresponsible?” Mrs Laird shouted; she appeared nearly mad. “Marigold and James could’ve died! What were you doing while those children were in danger?!”

 “Mum,” Andrew pleaded. “Please, calm down and go home. We can talk about this later.”

 Sirius and Andromeda exchanged surprised glances; they had never seen Mrs Laird so angry before.

 “Marigold might be the Head Girl, but she’s only a child!” Mrs Laird continued, ignoring her son’s pleas. “She shouldn’t have been down there putting herself in danger to save another student! That’s your job!”

 “Mum, please,” Andrew begged. “You’re embarrassing me.”

 Sirius walked up to them. Andromeda stood behind, not knowing what to do.

 “Andrew is right, Catriona,” Sirius said gently. “It’s Delphini’s fault, not theirs. There was nothing Minerva and Neville could’ve done.”

 “No, Mrs Laird is right, it is our fault,” Professor McGonagall said, hanging her head. “We should’ve sent an adult instead of letting Miss Lupin-Black go there.”

 “Mr Black, Mrs Tonks, and Mrs Laird, once again, we’re deeply sorry for our negligence.” Professor Longbottom added. “It’s all our fault that Miss Lupin-Black was in danger.”

 “We don’t even deserve to be professors,” Professor McGonagall began tearing up.

 “No, Minerva, and Neville, please stay. We need you here.” Sirius said, before turning to Andrew. “How’s Marigold? Is she doing any better?”

 Andrew shook his head sadly.

 “She’s still unconscious,” he sighed. “My friends and I have been visiting her every day, and we’re all so worried about her.”

 “If you want, I can bring all of you to the hospital wing,” Professor Longbottom said.

 “We would appreciate that,” Andromeda said.

 Andrew and Mrs Laird, who seemed to have calmed down a bit, also nodded their heads.

 “Follow me.”

* * *

 Sirius, Andromeda, Andrew, Mrs Laird, Madam Abbott and Professors McGonagall and Longbottom were all gathered around Marigold, who was lying on the bed as still as before.

 “When will she wake up?” Mrs Laird asked.

 “We don’t know,” Madam Abbott shook her head sadly.

 Andromeda began weeping silently. Sirius grabbed his daughter’s stiff hand and kissed it; his face was stained with tears.

 Next to them, Andrew watched his best friend, his green eyes filled with concern, begging her to wake up. Mrs Laird was crying hysterically next to him.

 Just then, Lorenzo, Teddy and Victoire stormed into the hospital wing.

 “How’s my sister?” Teddy immediately asked.

 Andromeda shook her head, wiping her tears. Sirius gestured for them to come over.

 Victoire gasped, covering her mouth with her hands, upon noticing Marigold on the bed. Teddy grabbed his sister’s other hand, horrified.

 “Marigold, please…” his voice was shaking.

 “She will wake up, right?” Lorenzo asked pleadingly.

 “We don’t know,” Madam Abbott shrugged apologetically.

 “Please!” Teddy started crying. “She’s my only sister, I can’t lose her….”

 Lorenzo felt like it was all his fault; although he wanted to encourage Marigold to see her own potential, he never would’ve thought she would throw herself into such a deadly situation.

 “Professor Longbottom?” he asked carefully.

 “What is it, Mr Santini?”

 “Would it be alright if we stayed here at Hogwarts until Marigold recovers?”

 “Of course,” Professor Longbottom said. “I’m sure once Miss Lupin-Black wakes up, she would feel more at home with her family and friends around.”

 “We can all stay at the houses we were in while we attended Hogwarts,” Andromeda suggested.

 “Very well, I’m sure the other Heads of Houses would agree. All the houses have extra dorms, after all,” Professor McGonagall said.

 “Andy, are you sure you’ll be alright with the Slytherins?” Sirius said. “Remember what Marigold said about Parkinson?”

 “Yeah, I survived seven years there, after all,” Andromeda chuckled. “Besides, I think it would be nice for Celeste, Albus and Scorpius to have me.”

 “Perfect, we’ll move in right away then,” Mrs Laird said.