Chapter 92: Hermes Is in Serious Trouble
The Wednesday after Hogsmeade weekend, at two in the morning, Regulus pushed open the dormitory door. His boots brushed lightly over the carpet. He had just returned from the Room of Requirement.
He slipped off his robe and draped it over the edge of his bed, only to realize Cuthbert and Alex were still awake.
Cuthbert was propped against his headboard, fingers tapping restlessly against the bedframe, his brows drawn tight.
Alex was curled beneath his blankets, clutching the edge so hard his knuckles had gone pale, eyes wide open in the dark.
Regulus pulled over a chair and sat down, his gaze moving between them. "What happened?"
Cuthbert stopped tapping at once and straightened up, irritation clear in his voice. "Hermes is in the Hospital Wing. We went to see him this evening. He's still unconscious."
"Madam Pomfrey wouldn't say much. Just that he needs several days of treatment. Professor Slughorn went too. When he saw Hermes, his face went dark. Said it was a Dark magic injury."
Regulus tapped a finger lightly against his knee and said nothing.
Cuthbert continued, fists clenching. "He's been drifting away from us for ages. Sneaking around at night, acting shady, who knows what he's been up to.