006 | ❝Anybody in here?❞

🎈🎈🎈

When Carter was younger, his father would tell him stories about Hogwarts. The different halls of the castle, the different levels, and the secret room. Carter still didn't know every inch of the castle, he doubted his father ever did but that's what made Hogwarts more interesting. Each turn was a new adventure, something new to learn. Carter was alone walking the halls of Hogwarts, Clarissa and Jessica probably back in their house common rooms, it was nearing bed time and Carter knew he could get in trouble if he was caught during this time but he honestly didn't care.

Carter was good at sneaking around, he did it a lot when he was at home. Carter had tried going to sleep earlier but it was hard, the anniversary of his fathers and grandfathers death was almost upon them and all he could think about was them. Carter let out a groan running his fingers through his black hair as he turned a corner, some of the paintings calling out in annoyance for Carter to turn his light out. Carter paid no attention to them but made sure to keep the light away from is face so that they wouldn't be able to recognize him if they were to tell a professor or prefect that he was out when he wasn't supposed to be.

Carter was far from the Hufflepuff commons, he was sure that maybe the Prefects wouldn't be able to find him. Of course, Carter wouldn't be surprised if they did catch him, it was their job after all to patrol all the halls. Carter let out a sniffle and decided to take a seat on the ground, his back pressed against the stone wall of the castle and the tip of his wand still lit brightly. Carter began tapping his foot, his head between his legs as he remembered what had happened to his father and grandfather the year before he had started Hogwarts.

To this day they had never found how had cast the spell that killed Richie and Marcus Tozier along with so many other wizards and witches. Carter shook his head, image after image flashing through his head as he remembered seeing the bodies, the way his mother and grandmother had cried out when they had heard what happened. Carters mom had tried to get him to look away but it was too late, the image had been ingrained into his mind.

As the thoughts carried through his mind the light on Carter's wand went out causing him to quickly look up. His was was still held in his hand, the grip tightening a bit when he heard a tapping sound he had half a mind to call out is anybody there? but he knew that was stupid. If it was a Prefect or a Professor he would get himself caught. The tapping sound came again, the hall was dark and none of the painting seemed to mind the tapping as they were completely asleep in their portraits. Shaking his head and letting out a sigh Carter whispered, "Lumos." causing the tip of his want to light up again.

Carter looked around to see if he could figure out where the tapping sound had come from but there was nothing. Pursing his lips together Carter pushed himself up pointing his wand in different directions only to see that there was still nothing. Carter shrugged his shoulders deciding that he should be going back to the Hufflepuff commons now. As Carter walked back the tapping sound came again bring Carters attention back to it. Turning around Carter pointed his was in the direction only to see that he was still alone.

The tapping continued this time, looking around Carter decided to go and see what was making the noise, maybe it was Peeves? Licking his lips Carter slowly walked towards the tapping sound stopping in his spot only when the tapping sound has stopped. It was completely quiet, and then he heard a scream, loud calling out for help that caused him to jump. Carter wanted to call out for a teacher but Carter wasn't sure there was anytime to call one. Gripping on to his wand Carter broke into a run finally coming to a stop in front of a door that was cracked open, the cry for help had stopped.

Carter could feel his hands shaking, he was too late, licking his lips Carter slowly lifted his arm and reached for the door. His hand gripped the cold doorknob the cool metal calming his nerves, he slowly turned the doorknob and pushed the door open. The room was cold and dark the only light coming from the moon streaming in through the windows and Carters wand. "Anybody in here?" Carter asked walking into the classroom, there was no answer.

Carter walked further into the classroom, a chill running down his spin and when he looked around the classroom he noticed that one of the windows was open. The red curtains swaying around due to the wind, Carter made his way over to the window and was about to close it when he heard a noise behind him that made him freeze in his spot. Slowly he turned his head at the sound, like somebody dragging their feet but still, there was nothing. Turning back to the window Carter reached for the top of the window when he saw something out in the distance.

Right at the edge of the forbidden forest, one of the big trees appeared to have a body hanging from the neck. Carter let out a gasp sticking his head out of the window to get a better look but just as he blinked the body was gone and he heard another sound behind himself. Carter pulled himself back in and quickly shut the window shaking his head, "You're just tired." Carter said to himself.

Running his hand through his hair Carter turned his eyes widening when he saw to burnt bodies standing before him. Carter fell back as they started walking towards him, he wanted to scream, call out for help but he couldn't it was like something had a hold of his voice. "Carter." One of the bodies called out in a rough voice, Carter couldn't bring himself to look at either one of the bodies.

They were terribly burnt, the bodies barely recognizable, "Stay away!" Carter tried to say but he couldn't. All Carter could do was push himself away from the scene finally making his way out of the classroom the bodies had disappeared and Carter found it easy to breath again. Carter held his wand up ready to strike as he slowly stood back up his whole body now shaking he turned away from the classroom to run only looking back when he heard the sound of somebody laughing. Before him was the body again, the one he had seen hanging from the tree earlier.

He could see it all much clearer, a clown with red hair, a big forehead and yellow eyes, red painted lips that connected to lines going up his eyes and red nose to match his lips. The body was hanging, swinging, a big smile on the clowns face and Carter was slowly backing away shaking his head, tears slipping down his cheeks. The clown slowly began to lift his head, Carter who was to scared didn't stick around to see what the clown was going to do, instead he turned and made a run back for the Hufflepuff commons.