Have I Been Here Before?

Gavin did not stay by the Black Lake to wait.

That stretch of grass was still some distance from the Hogwarts boundary.

Apparition was restricted around Hogwarts, so wizards could not Apparate directly to its perimeter. They had to rely on House-elves.

Gavin put the two broken pieces of his wand and the Two-Way Mirror into his Dragon Hide Bag, picked up the small case, and left the lakeshore.

Dinner was already over. Warm yellow light shone from the castle windows, and figures occasionally passed high above. No one noticed what was happening on the other side of the grassy slope.

With every step Gavin took, the charred base of the Amulet on his chest rubbed against his wound.

His left shoulder was no longer bleeding heavily, but the spot on his back that had struck the stone wall hurt more and more.

Gavin kept walking for over ten minutes before he finally saw the old iron gate in the outer stone wall. This was where he had agreed to meet Mr. Rowle.

Beyond the wall lay rough grassland stretching toward Hogsmeade, with dark hills farther off. The light in Hagrid's Hut glowed to the east. The regular supply route should have been closer to that side.

No one was there.

Gavin sat down against the stone.

Dibby had not arrived yet. He needed to treat himself first.

Gavin took a package of dragon meat from the very bottom of his Dragon Hide Bag.

Once he lifted the Preservation Charm, a faint mineral scent drifted from the oiled paper.

Normally, he would have added at least plenty of black pepper, butter, and spices.

Right now, he could not even be bothered with salt.

He used the Severing Charm to mince the dragon meat, seared it with flame, and began eating.