Chapter 19

                                    

                                          
This was bad. It probably looked like Alethea tried to break into the Gryffindor common room. Hesitantly, Alethea willed herself to make eye contact with the Headmaster, who was peering down at her from behind his half-moon spectacles. The direct eye contact with Dumbledore made her nervous, but she was able to conceal it pretty well. 
'I myself am too confused as to what happened. All I remember was leaving the feast to go to the loo, and Vi came to ask me to help out Elizabeth and said something about her being attacked.' Alethea started to tell honestly, with Dumbledore nodding with a wistful look in his eye. 
'I think just after I reached the top of stairs I blacked out, and I didn't wake up until good ole Ronald here kicked me.' She lied to the crowd, directing a glare to Ron at the mention of him kicking her. Ron winced at the passive aggressiveness that was directed at him. Meanwhile Dumbledore had a sceptical and unbelieving look plastered on his aging face.
'Is this the full truth Miss Grindle?' He questioned her raising a brow. He knows. He knows I'm lying. Suddenly in the back of her mind she felt a prickling sensation. Knowing it was Dumbledore trying to gain entry into her mind so he could read it, acting defensively, Alethea quickly shoved him away. Tilting her head to the side slightly, Alethea stared into his eyes warningly. 
'Certainly is Professor. If I can remember anything else, I'll inform you myself.' Alethea said to him, lying right through her fake smile. Dumbledore looked slightly taken aback by his unsuccessful attempt at reading her mind to see what truly happened. But he quickly composed himself before anyone noticed his slip up. Except Alethea of course saw it, and because of how observant she is, Hermione did too. Looking between the Ravenclaw and Headmaster questioningly. 
More sets of rushing footsteps echoed up the stairs as they rushed toward the group. It seemed that Alethea wasn't the only one who heard the people approaching, because the crowd of Gryffindors parted like the Red Sea. 
'What is the meaning of all this Albus!' The easily recognisable stern, Scottish accent sounded alongside the many pairs of rushing footsteps. McGonagall came to stand beside Dumbledore, with both Lupin and Snape a step behind her. Typical to Snape's fashion, he had a large scowl plastered on his face, and kept swooshing his cape dramatically. 
Without verbally responding, Dumbledore pointed with his wand between the torn up portrait and Alethea, who was still sitting on the floor mind you. Alethea rolled her eyes at his very suggestive response. After all three Professors had allowed their eyes to flick over to the painting, they finally noticed the girl sitting against the wall (because for some reason no one has helped her up). Before you say anything she was not being self centred, it was the fact that both Sirius and her would be caught if she didn't fake fainting.
'Miss Grindle!' Exclaimed one voice.
'Alethea?' Questioned a second.
'Grindle.' The third stated simply.
These were the reactions from each of the Professors as soon as they realised who appeared to be in the centre of all of the trouble. Alethea smiled sheepishly at them all as she made eye contact with each of their very different expressions; McGonagall held an appalled and slightly worried look, Remus' face held nothing but concern, and Snape....well he stayed in his emotionless state, although his eye brow was slightly raised. 
'Lovely feast tonight, don't you think Professors?' She asked them nervously, scanning their faces, to tell whether or not they were mad. 'I erm...particularly enjoyed the sticky date pudding. It was just su-'
'Miss Grindle, please stop talking, unless there is something of use you wish to share.' Dumbledore interrupted what Alethea was saying. Not wanting to fight the Headmaster, she instead shut her mouth promptly and narrowed her eyes at him and his probably grubby beard.