HP: The Arcane Thief

Chapter 134

The day after the Match was declared a rest day, on which students celebrated and played around the whole time. After all, it wasn't a small matter. The game, due to a combination of factors, was one of the most watched events of the year.

This was just a school level match, even smaller than the minor leagues. And yet, the viewership was comparable to an actual world cup match. And then, in such a match, Axel did something so legendary that made even more of the wizarding population watch it, including those who had absolutely no interest in Quidditch. That's why, the clips of Axel's small but explosive showdown were circulating on all platforms around the world.

This ultimately benefited Hogwarts big time, considering the fact that Axel was a student of Hogwarts. So of course, the school would let the students celebrate.

But too bad, good times never last. The date of annual exams was announced the very next day, forcing the students to come out of their fantasy worlds and start focusing on the sad and boring reality: That they were going to have to study their asses out and cut down their hobbies and other activities.

For most of the students, Grades actually matter a lot. Higher grades allows them certain perks which provide inducement for everyone to try.

Of course, there are always a few students who simply don't give a damn, but these are few in number.

And, of course, there are always some students with no actual life and studying as their only activity, but these are ultra rare. Unlike most students who only start studying a few days before the exams, these students have spent the whole semester preparing for the exams and are determined to get perfect grades in all subjects.

One such student was currently sitting in the library, trying to study.

'There's still so much syllabus to cover.' Thought Hermione Granger. The second year Ravenclaw was trying very hard to concentrate, but, her present company was making it very difficult for her to do so.

"But you have to understand, he's different but he has a good heart," Daphne was saying.

Rose almost banged the table. "Good heart?! He humiliated me in front of the whole school! And others are still just cheering for him, saying he did great! They're treating me like a villain!"

Hermione sighed. "Can you guys try to be a bit quiet? 'Some' people come to the library to actually study!"

"Oh… but I see a lot of students doing mating activities between the bookshelves," said Luna Lovegood. She had a book about magical creatures lying open in front of her.

Daphne looked scandalized. "Luna, you aren't supposed to see those things! You're still too young," she chided.

"Daphne, are you even listening? I am venting here!" Rose protested.

Daphne as she nodded. "Of course, of course. I am listening. I know Axel is a big baddie. But, can you get over it? We need to study."

Hermione looked like she wanted to pull her hair out. "I am going to sit somewhere else," she said, gathering her things.

"Hey, you're not going anywhere." Daphne stopped her. "You agreed to help us study."

Hermione sighed for the nth time. "How did I end up here?"

Hermione, Daphne, Rose, and Luna. Quite an odd group that had formed here. How did it come to be? Well, it all started with Daphne.

Due to their fickle and superficial nature, Daphne had stopped associating with her previous friends, because all they could do these days was fangirling Axel, and it made her nauseous. She had instead started hanging out with Hermione, a fellow Ravenclaw who is a study freak.

And Daphne felt that it had been good for her. No toxicity, no gossip, no talk about boys. She had been able to focus more on her studies. And most importantly, she could keep her attention away from HIM.

Axel Hunt. The boy of mysteries. They're friends now, but Daphne can't even be seen with him in public. It distresses her greatly that he has enemies out there and he has to protect her from them. And then there's the thing with his past. He had been tortured with the Crutiatus. Badly enough that it crippled him. And yet, not one person seems to even know about it, let alone care for him.

She had once seen him shirtless, and no matter how much she admired the view, her prevailing thoughts were of concern for him. He had so many scars! How did he get them? What happened to the ones who gave them to him? Are they still roaming free?

But no matter how much she distresses over it, there is nothing she can actually do about it. She is powerless, and useless. The best she can do is to enjoy the little time they do spend together.

That's why, she tries to think as little about Axel Hunt as possible, which, it must be mentioned, is extremely difficult if you hang out with his fangirls. That's why Daphne thinks Hermione is a perfect friend. All she talks about is studies. Just seeing her schedule packed full of assignments, research, and 'light reading' would make you feel pressured to study as well.

As for Luna? Well, Martina is close with Hermione, seeing that they're both magic geeks. So Martina has tasked Hermione to take care of the girl. Of course, neither Hermione nor Daphne minded.

Luna was like a cute pet. She's so innocent and pure that you can't help but want to protect her. She's an endangered species. And the fact that she's been dumped into the den of snakes called the House Slytherin, the Hat must be getting barmy. Just thinking about how those snakes would treat the innocent girl strokes their maternal instincts. That's why Daphne and Hermione are more than happy to include her into their group.

But Rose, well she is a different case. She doesn't get along with Neville anymore. And since she has been friends with both Daphne and Hermione, and she is especially good at DADA, so of course the girls didn't mind inviting her. But now, things have changed. Rose has been… distracted as of late.

She doesn't pay attention of studies and keeps talking about Axel. All she does is complain: How much of an idiot is for having such great skills and not using them, how full of himself he is, How she had been training very hard to catch up to him, how insensitive he is for not accepting her apology, etc etc.

This is getting on both Daphne's and Hermione's nerves. Whether it's an Axel fangirl or Axel hater, both are bad for Daphne, who wants to stop thinking about him. And Hermione, who is only interested in studies, is also finding it hard to concentrate with Rose constantly distracting everyone.

"Rose, can you just… stop talking about him? Please?" Said Daphne after getting tired.

"Daphne?! Is this because of the crush you have on him? Fine. Don't bother listening. At least Hermione would support me. She also hates Axel," said Rose, turning to Hermione.

"Why do you hate Axel?" Asked Luna. "He is kind. And he flies very well," she proclaimed, nodding to herself.

Rose snorted. Axel Hunt, kind? Only Luna would say something like that.

"Luna, you won't understand why I hate him." Hermione sighed. It has to be mentioned, Hermione also hates Axel with a passion.

Firstly, there's the fact that he somehow came first in class, even after skipping classes, and getting all the assignments done by Daphne. And then there's his relation with Martina. Hermione is simply jealous of that. Martina is her idol and she really cherishes every moment she spends with her genius senior. But Axel… he's always treating Martina as if they're equals! And instead, Martina is the one who appears subservient to him. It makes her wonder if the guy is blackmailing her or something.

Hermione sighed. "Rose, while I'm not particularly fond of Axel Hunt, that doesn't change anything. The point is, exams are drawing nearer and you are always distracting us. Can you please just stop talking in general?"

"What?" Rose looked at her two friends. She had become a social outcast, people were making fun of her on the internet, students also see her as the villain. And now, even her friends won't support her anymore.

"Fine. I won't bother you guys anymore." Feeling betrayed, she got up and started gathering her things.

"Wait Rose—"

"Hey, that's not what I meant—"

Rose didn't listen to their lousy attempts to stop her. After she left, Daphne and Hermione looked at each other with troubled and helpless expressions. The one they blamed was the oblivious Axel, for different reasons.

"Go console her—"

"Go bring her back—"

They both said to each other at the same time and both sighed at the same time. Rose is like this. She gets angry easily and is difficult to coax.

….

Rose walked alone through the corridors. Students would point at her from time to time but she tried her best to ignore it. Despite the dawn of summer, the castle felt quite explicably chilly today and there seemed an air of depression in the corridors.

Ignoring the desolate feeling Rose walked on. She was going towards the Quidditch pitch.

"Rose? Fancy seeing you here! I was only looking for you!" Said Lockhart cheerfully, walking towards her in big strides.

Rose raised her eyebrows. "Professor Lockhart?" She involuntarily took a step back. Because right now, Lockhart was looking like a madman. His condition is worse than ever. And he stank! Rose covered her nose.

"Rosie, Rosie, Rosie. I've been looking for you everywhere!" Said Lockhart, coming closer. "Would you mind coming to the forbidden forest with me? It's quite urgent."

Rose took one more step backwards. Her intuition was telling her that something was wrong. "I… I' m sorry Professor, I have something I need to do," she said, trying to get away, but Lockhart had already drawn his wand.

"Stupify."

!! Rose knew something was off with the man, but she surely didn't expect the man to directly attack him. She tried getting away, but it was already too late..

…

Meanwhile, in a house in an unknown location, Bellatrix Black kicked the furniture in annoyance.

"It's already past the time limit, Gorski!" She yelled, glaring at the former History professor.

Jacob Gorski, who always appeared to be in control of the situation, actually looked distressed as well. His thick eyebrows were knotted in a frown.

"Minister, this is really an unpredicted development. They should have been here by now."

Bellatrix blasted the furniture with her wand this time. "Then why aren't they here?! You have had me set so many wards, and station some of the most powerful wizards in the world right in the middle of nowhere, for what?! Do you think it costs me nothing?! Is this even necessary?!"

"It IS necessary," Gorski had a severe expression on his face. "I've told you. I'm not considered weak, and they want me alive. To get me, they would send some of the best they have. The force we've prepared is absolutely necessary. But… as for why they're not here yet… there could be several reasons."

"Oh? Like what?!" Asked Bellatrix, crossing her arms.

"Like the conflict with the Royal Family might have gotten at a crucial point, making them unable to spare forces to Hunt me. Or…"

"Or?"

"Or maybe something more important has distracted them. I won't know unless you let me check what's happening in the outside world!" Said Gorski in protest. This minister had caught him unprepared and hasn't allowed him any leeway ever since. She doesn't even let him near a newspaper.

"No! Forget it!" Belatrix rejected him immediately. "You're a prisoner, don't forget."

Gorski sighed. "Even prisoners of Azkaban are allowed newspapers. What can I even do with it? Cut you?"

Bellatrix clicked her tongue. She wasn't allowing him because information is power. And she doesn't know anything about Atlanteans. That's why she's been taking every precaution. But now, what choice did she have? She was running out of time. She threw him a copy of the daily prophet.

Gorski slowly began browsing through the news with a calm look. But, as soon as he saw the very first news, his eyes almost popped out.

"Fuck!" An uncharacteristic exclamation came out of his mouth.

"What is it?" Asked Bellatrix, also surprised, but Gorski was too damn stunned to respond.

"The more important thing…" He murmured. Gorski understood at once why they hadn't come for him.

But what the hell?! He was just an injured little boy the last time he had seen him. AND he had strictly told him to keep a low profile!

Then, WHY AND HOW THE HELL IS AXEL HUNT ALL OVER THE NEWS?!