ohmigosh, how could i let Indie slip my mind!!! been watching too many Castle re-runs...

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Chapter Twenty Five -

The silence of the grounds was broken, by spontaneous and incoherent chatter, as Indie walked slowly toward the greenhouses. There were many things on her mind, none of which made sense at all really. There was her recent talk with Dumbledore, the man who, more often than not, spoke as if he were creating a crossword – cryptic and ambiguous. Then there was the dream that led her to Dumbledore; what meaning could be found, Indie wasn’t entirely sure. And then there was the meeting with Harry after class.
With her head down, nobody would see the small smile that appeared, and the light shade of red that now colored her cheeks.
The sun warmed her as she got closer to Herbology, and the chinwag that was illegible moments before was getting nearer. She could recognize the voices of a few of her classmates; she had the unfortunate company of the Slytherin fifth years also.
“Indiana Stewart!”
The calling of her full name made her stop abruptly, causing a couple of the snide Slytherins to collide with her. However, the voice led her face to break into a smile and her heel spin all the more urgent.
“Dora!”
What on earth was bringing her to Hogwarts? Agreed, security was getting tighter, but that surely didn’t require Auror escorts around the grounds.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, as she made her way over to the pink-haired visitor. However, Tonks didn’t exactly look impressed with Indie’s first question.
Riddled with sarcasm, and an additional smile, giggle and hug, she replied, “Yes, I’m fine thanks, how about you?!”
Indie had definitely missed her friend, even though she’d only been back at school a few days. Throughout the summer, they’d gotten extremely close, something that she was now extremely grateful for.
“Glad to hear that!” Indie said, her sarcasm equaling that of Tonks, “But honestly, not that I’m bothered of course, what brings you to Hogwarts?”
Beginning to walk toward the greenhouses, Tonks motioned her to follow, but at a safe distance from the mainstream students headed for lessons. But, with hair like that, they were going to draw attention regardless.
“We don’t want you to be late for Herbology,” Tonks said as-a-matter-of-factly.
Indie nodded, “Oh yes, because it’s such a thrilling subject!”
The pair exchanged laughter, as they continued to walk slowly, arms linked, as Tonks’ face fell slightly. She dropped her head, searching for the answer on top of her black boots. When she found nothing, she looked back up at Indie.
The worrisome look on her normally bright face took the blush from Indie’s cheeks instantly.
“What’s happened?”
Alarmingly, all Tonks could do was shrug in reply.
“That’s just it,” she added, “We don’t know.”
Worried, confused and her mind whirring with scenarios, it was almost impossible for Indie to muster up any words.
“What do you mean, ‘we don’t know’?” she whispered, almost whimpered, as she considered the possibilities of what she was being told.
Sighing, Tonks stopped Indie in her tracks, stood in front of her with her hands on the younger girl’s shoulders.
“Yesterday morning,” she began, “Scott left Headquarters to run an errand of some sort; he was very secretive about it.”
Scott? Her brother?! The seriousness of Tonks’ visit was now arising, as she continued on, her eyes beginning to water.
“I don’t think anyone really knew what he was supposed to be doing. Heck, he probably didn’t even know. Look, the point is, he was meant to be back this morning…but he wasn’t. We can’t find him anywhere, least of all in London. We came to you…hoping that – erm, you could – I suppose…find him, somehow – I don’t kn- think that – he hasn’t been…I don’t know…”
It was a lot to take in, and for Tonks, even harder to experience. Tears had stubbornly made their way down her face, her eyes fearful. Yet, she gazed hopefully and forlornly at Indie, who was robbed by shock of words.
Looking away, the young girl couldn’t fathom the idea that her oldest brother was in trouble. The thought was almost too ridiculous to apprehend, but here she was, served with the notion.
“Dora, have you any idea, whatsoever, of his intentions or plans?” Indie’s small voice broke into the silence. Tonks shook her head, sniffing back more tears.
“That’s your trick,” she added, a small laugh following.
Biting her lip, Indie took a small step back, her own emotions beginning to surface.
“Don’t go far, okay?” she cautioned Tonks, “I won’t be long…I should be out of Herbology soon; I’m sure I have some Nosebleed Nougat in my bag…”
A small wink left Tonks heading slowly back to the castle and Indie toward her class. It looked like she’d have to postpone her meeting with Harry.

Again!