Chapter 11:Hogsmead

Willow's Head

The rest of the week went by fine without any disturbing dreams. Every night after everyone was asleep, she would go back into the forest were she would play her wooden flute and sing the Gaelic songs her Mother sang to her so many years ago.

It was the Saturday before the dance, time to go to Hogsmead, and Harry still hadn't asked Hermione to the dance. "When are you going to ask her?" Willow asked him in a whisper at breakfast. "I try, it's just I always get so nervous," he whispered back. "Try today at Hogsmead," she whispered. "Come on guys, we better get going," Hermione said sitting down next to Harry, grabbing a piece of toast and spreading jam on it. Willow stuck a dry piece of toast in her robes pocket and they headed towards the grounds.

When they got to Hogsmead they went straight to the sweet shop. Willow was overwhelmed when she saw the many barrels and shelves filled with jars of various sweets. "You have to try these," said Harry shoving a jar of cockroach clusters into her hands. "What are they?" Willow asked cautiously. "Just chocolate covered almonds," Harry said innocently. "I'm pretty sure almonds don't have antennas, thanks," she said handing the jar back to him. They eventually left the shop with their pockets full of everything from sugar quills to fizzing whizzbees.

"Let's go to the Three Broomsticks," Hermione suggested, "you have to try a butterbeer." They walked into the busy pub and took a seat at the back. "I'll go get the drinks," said Hermione standing up and walking over to the front counter. Willow turned to Harry as soon as she was out of earshot. "Harry, you need to ask her," she said to him. "Will, I don't know," Harry said unsure. "Here's the plan," she continued ignoring him, "I'll pretend to go get parchment, and while I'm gone, you ask her," she said smiling. "Will, I-"

"Oh, Hermione, I have to go get parchment, I'll be right back," said Willow standing up from her chair as Hermione sat down. "I'll go with you," Harry said also standing up. "No, your not," she said pushing him back in his chair and giving him a look. She walked out and headed towards the parchment shop. Willow was walking past an alley when she heard a yelp in pain and cold laughter. Malfoy and his goonies were casting curses on a graveling dog. "Leave him alone," she shouted as she walked towards them. Malfoy turned around and said, "Well look here, if it isn't O'Conner."

"Leave the poor thing alone, Malfoy," Willow spat. "Why should I?" Malfoy asked, putting his hand on her arm. "Don't touch me," she said pushing his hand away. "Come on, O'Conner, we could be friends-" She couldn't take him anymore, she cupped her hands together and said a Gaelic incantation. Malfoy looked at her with wild eyes, "Are you crazy?" he cried. She opened up her hands and a glowing orb of blue light sped towards him and hit him in the chest. He was thrown across the alley and hit the hard brick wall. He fell in a heap on the ground. "Leave now, Malfoy," Willow ordered as she watched Malfoy struggle to his feet. "Let's go," he ordered to his frightened goonies and swept past her without looking back, leaving her in the dark alley with no other company than a dog, laying huddled in a dark corner. Willow crouched down and looked at the creature.

"Hi, there," she cooed. She cautiously held her hand out. The dog curled up his lips and snarled exposing long, sharp fangs. Willow withdrew the piece of toast she had put in her pocket earlier and held it out. The creatures ears perked up and its nose quivered as he eyed the morsel. He whined and licked his lips hungrily. Willow said sweetly, "Come on, now, I won't hurt you." Cautiously, he crawled to her, ears flat against his head and his eyes never off her. It sniffed it gingerly and then ate it in one bite. "Good, boy," Willow said stroking its head. The creatures eyes lit up and his tail began waging furiously disturbing the dust on the unswept cobblestone street. Willow suddenly noticed something about his eyes, the bluer than blue color seemed, familiar. She brushed off his silky white fur. "Why don't you come with me?" she asked it. It barked happily as though it understood. "I think I'll name you," she thought for a moment, "Storm, you like that name?" Storm barked.

Willow and Storm walked back to the Three Broomsticks and went to the back booth where Hermione and Harry were sitting. "I see you picked up a friend," Hermione said looking down at the dog. "I found him in an alley, Malfoy and his friends were torturing him. His name is Storm," Willow said taking a swig of the butterbeer Hermione had pushed towards her. "He looks like those creatures we've been studying in magical creatures class, the Arius," Harry said. "You're right," said Hermione. "We'd better head back to the carriages, it's getting late," suggested Willow, and they all got up and headed towards the door. Everyone except Storm. "Where'd he go?" se asked curiously. The person in the booth closest to them was their teacher Tom. "Tom," Willow said walking up to him, "have you seen a big white dog?" He sat there a minute just looking up at her. "Ya," he said turning away, "its under the table."

Hermione, Harry, and Willow looked under the table. Laying by Tom's feet was a his dog Wendell. "That's not the one I'm talking about," she said standing up. "Then I can't help you," he said looking back at her, "See you at school." With that he stood up and walked out the door.

In Tom's Head

Tom and Wendell walked out of the Three Broomsticks and down the dirty cobblestone road. "Wendell, I think I have a clue as to who the Key is."