It's the Common Thread to the Mystery!

"Think about it," you say as you and the rest of the Ravenclaws make your way through the hallways. "The only person who could be strong enough to hex a broom in the middle of a match, is a staff member. Who would have permission to store and tend to a large three headed guard dog in the -" you look around to make sure you aren't being too loud, "-the Forbidden Corridor."

"I don't know if we can be sure..." Jennifer says, hesitant. "The teachers are here to help us. How can you just believe a teacher would willing hurt a student like that Harry could have died!"

"I don't believe a persons position makes them good." You say darkly, thinking back to your life in the Shack. "Think of it this way, we know that the teachers know the guard dog is there. We know that the troll was probably released as a distraction." You begin to count the points out on your fingers. "We know that the teachers, or at least some of the teachers do not trust each other alone with whatever the dog is guarding. We have strong suspicions that a teacher jinxed Harry Potters broom."

You've come back to the Ravenclaw Common Room, and set up in a quiet corner. The rest of the student body is excitedly discussing the quidditch game and ignoring the two of you.

"So... what does this tell us?" Jennifer says exasperated. "You have an inference or two and a fact, why do you even suspect that these things are connected."

"Because I live in the Wizarding World." You answer evasively. "We don't have as many coincidences as muggles, I guess."

"You know I've been around enough wizards, and most of them aren't this ... paranoid." she teases.

You groan. "The last war was bad, Jen, it really was." You take a deep breath. "I don't know if you muggles have really had anything like it. When the last 'Dark Lord' - or You-Know-Who, or whatever you want to call him- was in his prime he split the Wizarding world in two. One in every three Wizards sided with Him. Many of the 'good wizards' just kept their heads down, and he was toppled by just a few Wizards who opposed him." Jennifer is silent watching you with a guarded expression.

"Many of his followers plead innocent due to magical ****, or used money and influence to avoid repercussions. There are many of them still around. They live among us, they can be anywhere. Neither the ministry nor the School are completely safe." You say with a grim candor.

"But, surely the teachers can't want to kill students!" Jennifer says aghast.

Realizing that you might have gone too far, remembering that Jennifer is new to the Wizarding World, you smile wanly.

"No, but there are divisions in our world, and Harry is the symbol of those divisions." You admit "Typically Hogwarts is safe, everyone wants there kids safe at school." Jennifer nods, as she begins to see your point. "But the teachers seemed divided over the... thing that the dog is guarding."

Jennifer nods, "If the teachers are divided why are they agreeing to guard it together?"

"I don't know," You say, "But I intend to find out."

The weeks march steadily on towards Christmas, and You have to decide if you are going to stay over the holidays or not.