This is a direct continuation of my previous fanfic Hogwarts Mystery Chronicles, so for proper introductions of the characters please read that one. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy this and aren't confused.

Chapter 1: Remembering the Fallen

Later, Claire was walking down a corridor when Penny approached her.

"Claire," Penny said after a pause. "Do remember when Bill had us review the Sea Urchin Jinx, then he asked you Merula Ben and Charlie to stay after the lesson?"

"Yeah," Claire nodded.

"Do you also remember how Rowan and I wanted to stay too, but Bill told us not to?"

"It was for your safety, and Rowan's."

"I understood why, after you told me about 'R' in the courtyard, but Rowan didn't." Then Penny suddenly burst into tears. "Oh, Claire, I did something terrible!"

After Claire helped Penny to a bench, she listened to Penny's story about how she told Rowan about 'R' being a devious organization and Rakepick's actions in the Buried Vault.

"I thought if Rowan knew what you told me, she would understand like I did," Penny said while drying her eyes. "But instead, she started to secretly follow you and that's why I think she was in the Forbidden Forest. Please don't be mad at me…"

"No, I'm not," Claire insisted as she hugged Penny. "You were just telling me the truth."

Then Tonks showed up to let Claire and Penny know that announcements were going to be made in the Common Rooms. So Claire returned to the Ravenclaw Common Room where Flitwick stood surrounded by other students including Badeea, Tulip, Andre, and Talbott.

"During this difficult time, it's imperative that Ravenclaws look to one another for guidance," Flitwick said. "With that in mind, the Aurors have confirmed that the fugitive has left Hogwarts grounds. Thus, the Dementors have left to pursue him and so students may freely leave the castle if they wish. Rowan Khanna was…a gifted Ravenclaw, and we will truly miss her. But hopefully, this lifted ban will help things return to normal. I'll be in my classroom if anyone wishes to talk with me."

Once Flitwick left, Tulip said, "I don't know if I'll have the energy to pull any pranks for a while."

"Maybe I'll try painting a portrait of Rowan to commemorate her," Badeea debated. "Though the present atmosphere will make it difficult for me to concentrate…"

"It's just hard to think that Dumbledore wants us to continue as if nothing happened," Talbott responded bitterly. "What do you think, Claire?"

"I don't know," Claire answered. "This place has too many memories of Rowan…"

"Then let's go down to the Three Broomsticks and have some Butterbeers," Tulip suggested. "I promise I won't have Dennis set off another Dungbomb."

Taking Tulip's word for it, Claire followed her into Hogsmeade into the Three Broomsticks where several other students were including Barnaby Jae Ismelda and Merula.

"Sorry I didn't ask this sooner, Claire, but…how are you feeling?" Barnaby asked.

"Trying not to overthink things," Claire responded.

"Well, I seldom overthink anything," Barnaby joked.

While Claire chuckled, Ismelda didn't look impressed. "So is this how most people deal with death? Stand around and drink Butterbeer while looking distraught?"

"It depends on the culture," Jae interjected. "Different cultures handle death differently, so I think we're all dealing with it our own way."

Merula then stormed over looking irritated. "I've been asked five times 'How are you?' and it's really annoying."

"I'm sure they didn't mean to make it sound annoying," Claire figured.

"No, it wasn't their tone of voice," Merula elaborated. "It was how they asked it, like 'Hi, how are you? I know you watched Rowan die last night, but how are you?' Plus, the faces they made seemed like they were in pain or they really didn't mean what they were saying."

Barnaby looked grim. "You're really bumming me out, Merula."

"Well, deal with it," Merula said firmly. "Rowan was murdered and yet here we are drinking Butterbeer like nothing's happened. Where's Copper, by the way?"

"He didn't want to come," Jae answered. "Took off right after the announcement to lift the ban."

"Then if he chooses not to be here, then why should I?" Merula grumbled.

"Dumbledore said everyone grieves differently," Barnaby pointed out. "So I guess if not being here makes you grieve better, then don't stay."

So Merula left the Three Broomsticks with Ismelda following her.

"Did I say something wrong?" Barnaby asked Claire.

"There's no right or wrong answer to any of this," Claire said as she held Barnaby's hand.

"But you usually know the right thing to say, Claire," Jae pointed out.

"You're right," Claire realized. "That gives me an idea…"

Claire then walked up the stairs and stood above the patrons which she addressed. "Everyone, I know we came here because we're not sure what to do. And even though we still don't, it might help if we remembered Rowan by talking about her."

So everyone started talking about their various interactions with Rowan over the years, from little things to larger moments.

"Rowan always struck me as…a gentle soul," Chiara reflected.

"She was a great listener, and weirdly fascinated by my detention stories," Jae added.

"There was one time when I accidentally Transfigured my quill into a fly, which Rowan helped me catch," Andre recalled looking embarrassed.

"I asked Rowan to sit for a portrait once, but she was too shy," Badeea giggled.

"There were a lot of big words I didn't understand, but Rowan helped me through her tutoring," Barnaby said.

"Once I was looking after the Puffskeins, and I found Rowan sleeping on a pile of them," Liz smiled. "She looked so cute, so I didn't bother to wake her."

"During the Celestial Ball, I saw Rowan dancing with Bill near the fireplace," Diego blushed. "She wasn't half-bad…"

"Every time I talked about Dragons, she was willing to listen to every word without flinching or getting bored," Charlie remembered.

"That reminds me of her cat Fuzzclaw, whom she would talk about for hours," Penny said.

"Not to mention her family tree," Tulip brought up.

Tonks looked astray. "I remember she would always share Sugar Quills and good books to read with me."

Seeing everyone relaxing, Claire tried to smile but something crossed her mind that made her walk over to a fireplace that was away from everyone else. Yet moments later, Charlie Penny and Jae approached her.

"Everything all right?" Jae asked. "Sorry I prompted you to talk about Rowan."

"Don't apologize," Claire insisted. "It's just that hearing you all talk about Rowan made me realize that I didn't spend as much quality time with her as I should have. Even though she was my first friend, after we first met in Diagon Alley to gather supplies for our first year at Hogwarts. She showed me around, I helped her pick out a quirky scarf, and at the train station she volunteered to demonstrate the magic platform.

"After that, she taught me how to play Gobstones and we learned to cast Rictusempra together. In fact, when I was gathering ingredients for the Love Potion recently, Rowan insisted on coming with me to the Hogsmeade Train Station to meet a Witch. But the train was running late, so we ended up talking about our friendship before she used the Tickling Charm on me and I did the same to her. We had a good laugh, and then the train showed up."

"Sounds like the last time you two spent time together was nice, despite the long wait for the train," Penny smiled.

"And those memories you have of Rowan will live on," Charlie pointed out.

"Yes, I suppose they will," Claire admitted. "Thank you, guys."

To be continued…