"Do-do you think it has to do with the people we overheard?" Hermione asked, looking frightened.

"No," Harry said, voicing what he had decided to believe. They walked a slow circle around the lake, bundled up against the bitter cold. "It doesn't make sense. No one saw us, and why would they come after me in such a public way if they were avoiding attention."

"Would it be a student then?" She asked, looking loathe to think that way. "Someone who wanted you to lose the match?"

"Didn't work out, if so," Harry said with a smile. "But who would want to that much? That wasn't just to stop me. Someone wanted me hurt...or worse."

There was a pause. Both kept to their thoughts, and the only sound was the dry crunch of long dead leaves slowly being mulched by their feet. The shore of the lake was empty; everyone else had opted to stay indoors on a day like this. It gave them license to speak freely, though. No one would overhear them out here.

"You don't suppose it is related to You-Know-Who, do you?" Hermione asked after a time.

"I had thought of that," Harry said, "but Dumbledore didn't think it likely."

"He might just be shielding you from his suspicions," she stated wisely.

"True," Harry answered. "But it doesn't help narrow anything down."

"If it was obvious," she said, "Dumbledore would do something about it."

"They are though," Harry said. "The professors are going to keep a closer eye on things at the next match and at practices."

"You still want to play?" she asked, sounding shocked. "Harry, it's just a game and you could be hurt."

"Quidditch is more than just a game, Hermione," he said. "It's about the team and the house and doing something that you love."

"But-"

"There is always a risk of falling or being hit while playing," Harry cut in. "I'll be careful."

Hermione shook her head, sighing. "Boys," she muttered.

They walked in a quiet thoughtfulness for a moment. Harry began thinking about how someone could have affected the broom and spells he could use to protect himself next time. It was difficult to use spells directly on a broom, their magical configurations were complex and naturally repelled most abjurations. So it had to have been something powerful and disruptive to interfere with the natural action of the broom.

"Oi, Harry!" Hagrid shouted from down the way.

Harry waved back and they approached the half giant, meeting him near where students would often relax by the shore. Even the giant squid was nowhere to be seen on this chill day.

"What're you two doin' out 'ere?" Hagrid asked. "Ye'll catch yet death 'a cold."

"Just going for a walk, Hagrid," Harry said.

"Well, ye up for a cuppa?" the large man asked. "Ye still haven' come by."

"Sure, Hagrid," Harry answered. "Hermione too?"

"'Course," Hagrid said through his bushy beard, a smile shifted aside some of the whiskers.

"How have you been?" Harry asked as they set off.

"Been busy, haven' I?" Hagrid said. "Been some problems in the Forest a' late."

"What kind of trouble?" Harry asked.

"Been some creatures in the Forest hurt and no sign a' how."

"New predators?" Hermione asked.

"Nah, nuffin like that," Hagrid said, waving a great hand dismissively. "Mos' magical predators'll go after whatever, but mos'ly unicorns an' a few bowtruckles, an' not regular like."

"How are they being hurt?" Harry asked.

"Jus' unusual places like," Hagrid said, "but tha's not for the students ta think about, eh?"

He opened the door to his home, a separate dwelling from the school, near the forest. In essence, it was the perfect spot for someone overseeing the grounds of Hogwarts. Harry liked Hagrid's home, messy as it often was. It had a home feel, well lived in and enjoyed. Hagrid had lived here for quite some time, clearly.

Hermione glanced around with a tentative look of appraisal. The walls were covered in items of his trade or interesting hairs and horns he had found. Hagrid looked at her, as though hoping for some approval. She smiled, bringing out his beaming expression.

"Welcome to me home," he said. "Make yerselves at home, a course. I'll get yer tea an some cakes."

Harry and Hermione sat on a couple giant chairs around Hagrid's table. Harry wondered if Hagrid would usually take turns changing which chair he sat in or if some were just reserved for guests. While they waited, Hagrid bustled around, boiling water and grabbing cups, plates, and cakes that lived up to the name rock.

"Nice house, Hagrid," Hermione said. "How long have you lived here?"

"Ah," Hagrid said, pausing long enough to scratch his head. "Can' remember right. Been ages, anyhow."

He served up the tea and cakes before them. The pair eagerly sipped the hot tea, feeling it warm their insides and nibbled politely on the incredibly hard treat.

"Thank you," Hermione managed between bites.

"Yes, Hagrid, always good," Harry added.

"So, Harry," Hagrid began as Harry took a deep drink of the tea. "How're ye after the game an' all?"

"I'm good," Harry said, "Madam Pomfrey healed my leg immediately."

"I mean, what with the fall an' someone tryin' ta hurt ye."

"I'm alright," Harry said. "I made it out okay and they're going to make it safer for the next game."

"Heard you were gonna keep playin'," Hagrid said shaking his head. "Like yer father, eh?"

"Hagrid, I-"

"Glad yer alrigh', Harry," Hagrid said, smiling sadly at Harry. "Were scary is all, it were, seein' ye up there like that an' all."

"I-I" Harry said, "I'm sorry, Hagrid."

"Na' yer fault, 'course," Hagrid responded, taking a swig from his flagon. "It's them that wanted ter hurt ya."

"Flitwick said he was going to use the bouncing spell on more of the ground at the pitch," Harry said, lightly.

"An' it's amazin' ta think no one thought a' that before ya, Harry."

"It really was quick thinking, Harry," Hermione said, looking impressed. "And think of all the students who could benefit from a safer pitch!"

"It wasn't that great," Harry said, scratching his head. "It's just all I could think of. I'm sure anyone would have thought of something."

Hermione rolled her eyes, but they didn't push the issue. They talked for a few minutes about the chances of the Quidditch teams going forward. Hermione looked out the window for a few minutes as the other two spoke. She looked lost in thought when Harry changed the subject abruptly.

"Hagrid, you take care of loads of magical creatures, right?" he asked.

"'Course, Harry," Hagrid replied, proudly. "Take good care 'o them."

"Have you ever heard of giant three headed dogs?" Harry asked. "I can't seem to find them in the library."

"You know about Fluffy?" Hagrid asked, taken aback.

"It has a name?" Hermione asked, suddenly back in the conversation.

"Fluffy?" Harry asked at the same time.

"Well, sure," Hagrid said. "They're a bit rare, new breed. Expect I've got the only one in England here at Hogwarts."

"But why is he in the castle?" Harry asked.

"Can' tell you that, Harry," Hagrid said. "Tha's secret that is."

"But, Hagrid," Harry began.

"More'n me jobs worth, Harry, believe me," Hagrid cut him off. "That's between Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel."

"Oh?" Hermione asked.

"Nicholas Flamel?" Harry asked.

Hagrid looked alarmed at what he had said, saying, "I think it might be time to head off, you two'll have your studies to attend to, an' classes tomorrow an' all."

"S-sure, Hagrid," Harry said. "Thanks for having us."

"Yes, thanks for the tea and cakes," Hermione added.

"Any time, any time," Hagrid said, holding the door for them as they rose to go. "An' no more thinkin' about tha' dog. It's not for you two ta' worry about."

"Fine, fine," Harry said as they left.

"You pay attention to yer flying fer the next game, eh?" Hagrid called after them, shutting the door after watching them a moment.

"Hmm, Flamel, eh?" Harry said to Hermione as they made their way up to the castle.

Hermione pulled her coat close about her, blocking out a sudden gust of wind. "The name sounds familiar," she said, "I feel like I've read it before."

"Not much into chocolate frog cards, I take it?" Harry asked, smirking at her.

"No, not-" she began, stopping to look at him. "Does he have one?"

"No, but Dumbledore does," Harry said, "and I remember it mentioned his name."

"What did he do?" Hermione asked.

"Something to do with dragon's blood," Harry said. "It's been a while since I read it."

"Do you have one?" she asked, sounding excited.

"I might still," Harry said. "I have traded most of mine over the years to get rare ones, but he's a pretty common one."

"Dragon's blood," Hermione said, "Dumbledore is known for discovering the twelve uses of dragon's blood, but…"

Harry pushed open the door to the Entrance Hall, flooding the floor in front of them with that same pale cloudy day light. He was about to reply to Hermione's thought when he stopped. Marching across the hall was a grimace faced Professor McGonagall, a roll of parchment curled in her hand. She brushed past a few other students crossing the hall, making a line for Harry and Hermione. Harry felt a clench in his stomach, fearing she had caught wind somehow of their investigation into whatever the dog was hiding, or was there something he couldn't remember?

"Potter," she began, full of formality that was unusual between the two of them. She thrust the parchment into his hand.

Looking at it, he raised his eyes in surprise. "A broom order form?" he asked.

She continued, "As you have decided to continue on with Quidditch for the Ravenclaw team, the Headmaster has recommended that we make an exception to the rule against first years owning brooms. The school brooms are much more exposed than one you own yourself."

"Oh, th-thanks, professor," Harry said.

"Please inform one of the staff when your broom arrives," she said. "Flitwick and I have a few ideas for spells of protection and the like."

"Ye-yes," he said, "thanks, again."

"Well," she said, briskly, "off with you two. I'm sure you'll have things to do before dinner."

She swept off with the same suddenness that she had appeared, leaving Harry and Hermione a bit speechless.

"Wow," he said after a few moments.

"Your own broom, Harry," Hermione said, smiling over at him. "What are you going to get?"

"I don't-" he began. "I'll have a look through the order form, I suppose. I was planning to get one next year, but if they want me to get one, that works out."

"How are you going to-" she said, speaking carefully.

"My parents left me enough money for things like that," he answered. "I should be fine through school, at least."

"Oh," Hermione said. Changing topics, she said, "Is she always like that?"

"Mostly," he said, laughing. "Come on, we do have some studying before dinner."

"And Flamel?" she asked.

"I'll look through my Chocolate Frog cards tonight," he answered. "We have time to look into him, but Snape's essay won't wait."

They ascended the stairs working their way up towards the library. A few students passed to and fro, trying to make the most of the day before the school week began. Harry caught bits of conversation as people passed, but the pair of them remained quiet, thoughtful on the way up.

At the entrance to the library, Draco and his goons were leaning against the wall.

"Ah," Draco said, "thought we'd see you here at some point or another."

Harry ignored him, planning to walk between them, but the behemoth duo moved to block the way in.

"Thought you'd want to take a break after the…break," Draco said tilting his chin towards Harry's right leg.

"Thought wrong then," Harry said.

"You must think you're something," Draco said, voice low and menacing. "Hero of Ravenclaw. Willing to leap from a broom to catch a snitch. What a laugh. Did you miss your mommy and daddy so much you wanted to end it all? Is that it?"

"Would you let us through?" Harry asked, feeling heat enter his face. "Some of us would like to have passing marks this term."

"Oh, would your parents not approve of a failure?" Draco asked, his smirk plastered across his face. "Oh, I suppose you wouldn't know…"

"Yours must, considering the company you keep," Harry spat.

"Why you little," Draco growled, voice growing louder.

"What is going on out here?" Madam Pince demanded, her voice silencing all of them in an instant.

"We're just trying to study in the library, Madam Pince," Hermione said, quietly.

"Then, come in, quietly," she said, her voice sounding stern as always. Looking at Draco and his gang, she added, "And you three, stop loitering. You are obviously not looking for a book, so get, on your way."

Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle skulked off, obviously unhappy. Harry and Hermione entered the library, finally free of all the random interruptions. Here, it would be quiet, and they could get some serious work done. Finding an open corner, the pair pulled out all of their books and began working on essays and reading for the next day. They didn't say much, but there wasn't much to say. It was the first peaceful moment since the match, and Harry enjoyed sharing it with Hermione.