I Told You Gavin Was Good at Fishing

When Gavin came down the dormitory stairs, he saw that familiar sight again.

Justin was sprawled on the softest sofa in front of the fireplace, sunk deep into the cushions. His head lolled to one side, and the shadows beneath his eyes looked like two strokes of charcoal.

The pose was familiar.

So was that face—

Familiar enough that Gavin stopped in his tracks.

The last time Justin had appeared on that sofa in that pose, the Diary had been the reason.

His condition then had been almost identical to this.

Thinking of the missing body, Gavin immediately drew his wand.

Justin had been staring into space when he saw a wand tip aimed at his forehead.

It felt about as reassuring as having a revolver pointed at his head.

He sprang upright.

"What are you doing?!"

"Checking." Gavin traced an arc above Justin's head with his wand. "Take a deep breath. It'll be quick, and it won't hurt."

"Checking for what?"

"Traces of Dark Magic, mental contamination, curses, Love Potion residue." Gavin paused, thinking of the Horcrux. "And reinfection by certain things."

Justin stared at him blankly. "What was that last one?"

"You're better off never knowing."

Ernie walked over with a glass of Pumpkin Juice. He looked at the wand, then at Justin, and spoke in a remarkably calm voice.

"No need to check. I know why he's like this."

"Why?"

"He and Susan broke up."

Gavin's wand froze in midair. He looked at Ernie, then at Justin—

Justin didn't deny it. He just sat back down and buried his face a little deeper in the cushion.

"You're sure it isn't Dark Magic?"

Ernie glanced at Justin.

"If heartbreak counts as Dark Magic, Hogwarts would have to seal off at least three corridors a week. Last time that