the_debt_of_time

the time being. All students must return to their Houses without delay. Access to outside
areas of the castle is strictly forbidden until further notice."
"What's happening?" Alice asked, deferring immediately to Lily and Remus, both
of whom were transitioning into prefect mode and ushering the Gryffindors out of the
stands.
Lily frowned, dodging a stampede of flustered first years. "Who knows?"
"Remus?" Mia whispered as she approached him. "Are you all right?"
He shook his head, looking on edge. "No. They've forbidden access outside the
castle. I'll be out there in less than two hours." His eyes flickered toward the Whomping
Willow, which could be seen just over the edge of the stands in the distance. "Why would
they forbid anyone to go outside the castle?"
Mia's mouth turned down in concern. "I don't know, but I'll find out."
After leading the students back to Gryffindor Tower with Lily, Remus left
immediately for the hospital wing, where he was to meet Madam Pomfrey who would take
him to the Whomping Willow. As the sun began to set beneath the horizon, Mia watched
nervously from the common room window where she could see the treetops of the
Forbidden Forest.
"He'll be all right," James said as he approached her, fiddling with something in his
hand.
"What's that?"
James smirked. "Snitch."
She chuckled softly. "You're a Seeker now?"
"Nicked it. Didn't get much else out of today's game. Wanted a souvenir," he
admitted, shrugging. "Why do you think they closed off the grounds?"
"I don't know. But I'd really like to find out. I'm worried about Remus. Before
Dumbledore made the speech cancelling the game, an Auror came and spoke with him,"
she told her brother, brows furrowed in concern. "Something must have happened out
there."
"I didn't even know Aurors were here," he said quietly. "You think it's about what
the Prophet's been saying? About the... maulings?"