Maja sidestepped one of the creatures as it made a swipe at her, closing the gap between herself and Gerard. “How very hospitable of you,” she said, banishing it with a flick of her wand. “I thought that maybe these creatures were supposed to be my welcoming committee. Your company is much preferred.” Much as she enjoyed the challenge of fighting off creepy spell-resistant things, it was true – at least until Gerard started asking questions. “Rumor has it you have some exciting cursed objects floating around the school. I couldn’t resist,” she answered lightly. One of the creatures made a grab for her ankle and she kicked it viciously away. “No one told me you had – what are these, zombies? If I’d known, I’d have shown up sooner.”
“I am very relieved to hear that,” she said, and blasted one. Her satisfaction was short lived, however, as Gerard began to explain about the house elves. So this was perhaps a bit more serious than hazing or a prank gone wrong. “What’s your theory: curse, disease, or infection?” she asked. “Have there been any signs of transference to anything other than the elves? And –” She was cut off from her line of inquiry, however, by an explosion, and a shower of red sparks shooting up in the distance.