The four boys walked in silence back to the dungeons were they dropped off their books, then accompanied by Blaise, left for dinner. As the group entered the Great Hall, the noise faded and Harry felt himself hiding slightly behind the enormous figures of the Crabbe and Goyle. By the time the group reached the Slytherin table, people had once again begun their conversations.
The group sat in silence, waiting for the meal to be served. Harry looked at the table, uncertain what to say, if anything. When the meal finally appeared, he served himself with relief, now if someone expected him to say anything; he could just use the excuse that he had a mouthful. Skilfully, he downed the nutrient potion without anyone noticing and began his meal.
Harry ate in silence, listening to the chatter around him. He was amused to hear how similar it was to the chatter from years before, at the Gryffindor table. Complaints about classes, gossip about couples, make-up talk, all of it was oddly familiar.
It was the loud sound of a familiar voice moaning "Oh no!" that snapped Harry out of his musing. Harry looked up at the devastated tones of his best friend to see Errol flapping his way into the Great Hall, his flight erratic. The Slytherins surrounding him broke into snickers, remembering the times the ancient bird had made deliveries to Ron in the past.
The snickers broke off and Harry's eyes widened in horror when it became obvious that the bird was making his way to the Slytherin table. Harry moved to stand up just as the bird ceased his flapping, sliding his way across the table, his beak landing unceremoniously in the middle of Harry's dish.
Harry groaned and buried his head in his arms. Just when he had believed he was no longer the centre of attention. He lifted his head when he heard the pleading hoot of the owl. With a sigh he gave the bird a light pat on the head and removed the letter attached to his leg.
Harry offered the exhausted bird some water and a small bit of food. He ignored the glares of his housemates for drawing the laughter of students at them.
Moments later, Harry was smiling at the supportive words written by the woman who was the closest thing to a mother that he had. The warning about Remus was the only thing to draw a frown to his face. Harry bit his lip slightly, the thoughts from the previous night, and the shame Sirius and his father would be feeling about his new placement flashed briefly through his mind. He pushed those thoughts out of his mind and focused on the love that was evident behind Mrs. Weasley's words.
He looked back towards Errol only to find that Crabbe and Goyle had taken over the care of the elderly bird. They were slipping the bird small pieces of meat, interspersed with sips of water. Draco and Blaise were straightening up some of the mess that Errol had made of the table, shooting glares at the owl as they did so. Harry grabbed at a napkin and started cleaning up some of the spilled food.
He was so caught up in cleaning up the mess that it was a bit of a shock to hear Ron's exclaimed "Bloody HELL!"
His head shot up to see the hot-headed red-head being restrained by Hermione, his head glaring at the space near Harry. Harry looked over to see Goyle with Errol in his arms. The bird looked like he was settling comfortably in the arms and did not appear in the least bit stressed.
"Um…Errol?" the bird looked up at Harry's tentative questioning. "Do you want to go to the Owlery before you head back? Or should we take you to Hagrid? He can spoil you for a couple days before you head back."
The owl hooted softly at the suggestion that they go to Hagrid's hut, so Harry moved to take the bird from Goyle. Errol didn't seem inclined to leave the comfort of the large arms holding him, and so with more than a little confusion, Harry stood. Goyle and Crabbe stood at the same time and the unlikely trio made their way to Hagrid's hut. It was about halfway there that Harry noticed that neither Draco nor Blaise had accompanied them.
Harry turned and once again attempted to take Errol from Goyle only to be rebuffed again. With a shrug he continued on towards Hagrid's hut, the two overlarge bodyguards beside him. When he reached Hagrid's, he found himself engulfed in a smothering hug, the half-giant's enthusiasm in seeing Harry caused the new Slytherin to send out a brief thanks that Errol had refused to come to him as he would surely have been crushed in the tight embrace.
It took Harry several minutes to register that Hagrid was talking about Harry's being resorted and assuring him that it didn't change how the half-giant felt about the boy in the least. After a brief struggle Harry was able to free himself from the tight embrace and smiled happily up at Hagrid.
"Thanks Hagrid!" he said with a grin. Goyle stepped up to stand beside Harry, only to be noticed for the first time by the Professor. The other boy silently held out the bird. Hagrid took the bird from the silent boy and before Harry could say a word, he was heading back into the hut, cooing softly at the bird.
"Yeh poor bird. Yeh are just tired. Too old teh be flyin' all over the place," Harry smiled at the soft hooting coming from Errol. He knew that bringing the bird to Hagrid would be the right thing to do.
"Yeh boys comin'? I made fresh rock cakes jus' today," Hagrid asked over his shoulder.
Harry looked at Crabbe and Goyle who appeared surprised by the friendly invitation. The thought of rock cakes appeared to appeal to them.
"Er, no thanks Hagrid. Um, I have to meet with Professor Snape tonight. I need to be getting back inside," Harry quickly declined the invitation, afraid that Crabbe and Goyle might hurt the sensitive man's feelings if they tried his cooking.
As they walked away, Harry could see the longing glances they subtly threw over their shoulders. Once they were far enough away, Harry softly explained, "Hagrid's rock cakes are…well, harder than the rocks they are named after. Even soaked in tea overnight didn't help soften them up."
He heard a soft snicker from Crabbe and unable to help himself Harry joined in. They were almost back to the castle when they were intercepted by Ron, who glared at Harry's two bodyguards suspiciously.
"Harry," Ron said cautiously.
"Hi Ron," Harry felt awkward. He didn't know how Ron was dealing with everything and was afraid that he was going to lose his best friend.
"Um, where's Errol?" Ron asked, just short of sharp.
"We took him to Hagrid. Bloody bird bit me when I tried to take him from Goyle. But when we left he was getting ready to spoil Errol for a few days," a spark of mischievousness edged into Harry as he added, "If you hurry, he might share some of his new batch of rock cakes with you."
Harry laughed as Ron shuddered. "No thanks. Um, still full from supper."
"I um, have to go. Snape's probably waiting for me," said Harry.
"Right. Hermione and I talked last night. I…I don't know if I can't deal with everything yet, but Harry…give me some time?" Ron asked him hesitantly.
Harry nodded. Hope filled him about the future of his friendship with Ron. There was a new spring in his step as he continued towards the dungeons with Crabbe and Goyle on either side.