Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban-with Newt
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Chapter 11: The Firebolt
Harry didn't know exactly how he managed to get back to the Gryffindor common room that fast. All he could think of was the conversation he just heard. Why did no one ever told him about this? All those people, Dumbledore, Hagrid, McGonagall, Fudge. Why didn't they tell him that Black was his father's best friend, his godfather and most importantly, the reason his parents were dead?
Ron, Newt and Hermione watched Harry nervously all through dinner. They couldn't talk to him about that conversation because Percy was near them. When they went upstairs to the common room, Harry immediately went up to his dormitory and headed straight for his cabinet.
From the pile of books, he pulled out the one he was looking for: Album with photo of his parents. Harry sat down on his bed, drew the curtains around him, and started turning the pages and searched until he stopped on the picture of his parents' wedding day. There was his father grinning widely with the untidy hair Harry inherited and his mother, looking extremely happy next to his dad.
And next to his dad was him. Harry now looked closely at the photo and saw that although very different, there were very faint traces of him left on the photo, compared to the one in the wanted poster. He didn't look pale and sunken. He looked handsome and was laughing. To think this man would have sold his parents off...
Harry slammed the album shut and stuffed it back into his cabinet. He then took off his robe and glasses and got into bed. The dormitory door opened and he heard a voice.
"Harry?" said Ron's voice uncertainly.
But Harry lay still, pretending to be asleep.
"Leave him Ron. He probably wants to be alone right now." said Newt quietly. And the two of them left.
Harry never felt so much hatred towards another person.
He could see Black laughing at him through the darkness. He could see that scum blasting Peter Pettigrew to thousand pieces and heat him mutter "My Lord. The Potters made me their Secret Keeper. I knew they would do that!" and he started to cackle, followed by the high laughter Harry heard whenever the Dementors drew near.
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Harry hadn't gotten to sleep until daybreak. He had awoken to find the dormitory deserted. Harry saw that Newt's suitcase was next to his bed, so Newt must have been sleeping. Every other beds were empty. Harry got dressed and gone down the spiral staircase to a common room that was completely empty except for Ron, who was eating a Peppermint Toad and Hermione who was busily working on homework.
"Where is everyone?" said Harry.
"Gone! It's the first day of the holidays, remember?" said Ron, watching Harry closely.
"It's nearly lunchtime. I was going to come and wake you up in a minute. Also, is Newt still sleeping? I mean, Newt normally never sleeps that long." said Hermione.
Harry slumped into a chair next to the fire. Snow was still falling outside the windows. Crookshanks was spread out in front of the fire like a large, ginger rug.
"You really don't look well, you know," Hermione said anxiously.
"I'm fine," said Harry.
"Harry, listen," said Hermione, exchanging a look with Ron, "you must be really upset about what we heard yesterday. But the thing is, you mustn't go doing anything stupid."
"Like what?" said Harry.
"Like going after Sirius Black." said a voice from the staircase.
Newt was coming down with his suitcase.
"Look Harry, you have every right to be angry. But still, you shouldn't be so reckless and go after him. That's begging for suicide!" said Newt.
"Harry, please tell us you are not going after Black." begged Ron.
But Harry ignored them all and said nothing.
"Harry. Black is not worth you dying!" said Hermione.
"Just promise us you won't do anything stupid." urged Newt.
Harry sighed. They all didn't understand the situation.
"Do you all know what I hear whenever the Dementors come near me? I hear my mother screaming and refusing to step aside for Voldemort to kill me. And if you found out someone who was supposed to be a friend of hers betrayed her and sent Voldemort after her how would you feel?"
"Harry, there's nothing you can do! The Dementors will catch Black and he'll go back to Azkaban and good riddance!" said Hermione.
"Black wasn't affected by Dementors. You heard Fudge. How is that punishment?" said Harry.
"Harry, the point is there are people out there whose job is to catch Black. So you shouldn't go and catch him, no matter how personal this is." said Newt.
"Besides, if Azkaban isn't enough, what are you suggesting?" asked Ron. Then he looked at Harry with shock. "You… You're not saying you want to kill him!?"
Harry didn't respond.
"That's absurd. Harry wouldn't want to kill anyone would he?" asked Hermione, ending with a touch of fear.
Newt placed his hands on Harry's shoulder. "Harry. I understand this is a very personal matter. But still try to act rationally. You have to be sensible."
"Harry, please." said Hermione, her eyes now shining with tears, "Black did a terrible, terrible thing, but don't put yourself in danger. That's exactly what he wants. Harry, if you go looking for him, you would be walking into his hands. Your parents wouldn't have wanted you to get hurt. They would have forbid you from looking for Black!"
"Oh I don't know what they would have wanted. Because thanks to the piece of scum, I never met spoke to them." snapped Harry.
That brought silence. "Look," said Ron, obviously trying to change of subject, "it's the holidays! It's nearly Christmas! Let's go down and see Hagrid. We haven't visited him for ages!"
"No!" said Hermione quickly. "Harry isn't supposed to leave the castle, Ron."
"That's a great idea." said Harry, sitting up, "I need to ask why he never talked about Black all those times he told me about my parents!"
That was not the outcome Ron wanted. "Or maybe not. It's bit cold to go out. Maybe a chess?"
"No, let's visit Hagrid," said Harry firmly.
So they got their cloaks from their dormitories and set off through the portrait hole and walked to Hagrid's.
Ron knocked, but there was no answer.
"He's not out, is he?" said Hermione.
Ron had his ear to the door.
"I think he's in there. I mean, I can hear noise."
They all put their ears to the door too. From inside the cabin came a series of low, throbbing moans.
"Hagrid!" called Harry, thumping the door. "Hagrid, are you in there?"
There was a sound of heavy footsteps, then the door creaked open. Hagrid stood there with his eyes red and swollen, tears splashing down the front of his leather vest.
"You've heard?" he bellowed as he flung himself onto Harry's neck. Hagrid being at least twice the size of a normal man made Harry almost collapse. If it wasn't for his 3 friends who pulled Hagrid away and heaved him back to the hut, Harry would have fall. Hagrid slumped over the table and sobbed uncontrollably.
"Alright Hagrid what's wrong?" asked Harry.
Hagrid didn't answer but pointed at a letter on the table.
Newt picked it up and started to read. Only time Harry remembered Newt being that angry was when Malfoy insulted Buckbeak.
"This is outrageous! How can they do this!" Newt growled.
"What is it?" asked Harry.
Newt handed him the letter, still looking very angry.
Harry, Ron and Hermione began to read the letter.
Dear Mr. Hagrid,
Further to our inquiry into the attack by a Hippogriff on a student in your class, we have accepted the assurances of Professor Dumbledore that you bear no responsibility for the regrettable incident.
"Well, that's okay then, Hagrid!" said Ron, clapping Hagrid on the shoulder. "Why are you angry about this?"
But Hagrid continued to sob and Newt, still looking enraged, said "Continue reading."
However, we must register our concern about the Hippogriff in question. We have decided to uphold the official complaint of Mr. Lucius Malfoy, and this matter will therefore be taken to the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. The hearing will take place on April 20th, and we ask you to present yourself and your Hippogriff at the Committee's offices in London on that date. In the meantime, the Hippogriff should be kept tethered and isolated.
Yours in fellowship…
There followed a list of the school governors.
The trio now understood why Hagrid was crying and Newt looked enraged.
"But Hagrid! Buckbeak isn't a bad hippogriff. He'll probably go off." said Ron.
"Yeh don' know them gargoyles at the Committee fer the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures!" choked Hagrid, wiping his eyes on his sleeve.
"Do you guys know who the head of that Committee is?" asked Newt, who calmed down a bit but still looked angry.
"No." they all answered.
"Walden Macnair." spat Newt.
"Who is he?" asked Harry, wondering who the man could have done to get that much contempt from Newt.
"One of the most evil disgusting excuse for a human who ever walked on his earth. He takes pleasure from killing Magical Creatures." said Newt.
"That's horrible!" gasped Hermione.
"Yeah. He also served Voldemort during the war. Probably so he could go around killing things." said Newt. "And guess who is best friend is? Old Lucius Malfoy."
"No wonder! Malfoy and his friend are finding ways to discredit Hagrid!" said Ron.
A sudden sound from the corner of Hagrid's cabin made Harry, Ron, Newt and Hermione whip around. Buckbeak the Hippogriff was lying in the corner, chomping on something that was oozing blood all over the floor. Newt immediately rushed over and started to gently pet the Hippogriff.
"I couldn' leave him tied up out there in the snow!" choked Hagrid. "All on his own! At Christmas."
"And it's a good thing you did Hagrid." said Newt.
Hagrid started to cry louder.
"You'll have to put up a good strong defence, Hagrid," said Hermione, sitting down and laying a hand on Hagrid's massive forearm. "I'm sure you can prove Buckbeak is safe."
Newt sighed. "Malfoy practically has the ministry on his pocket. With all the bribing and his friends up in the high places, I don't think things are very bright for poor Buckbeak."
"But we have to do something!" exclaimed Ron.
"Maybe Dumbledore could help." said Harry.
"He has enuff on his plate ter worry. With Dementors around the castle and Sirius Black running around. " groaned Hagrid.
Newt, Ron and Hermione looked quickly at Harry, as though expecting him to start berating Hagrid for not telling him the truth about Black. But Harry couldn't bring himself to do it, not with seeing how miserable Hagrid looked.
Hagrid howled still more loudly. Harry and Hermione looked at Ron to help them. Newt was still petting Buckbeak with a sad eye while feeding him something.
"Er…. shall I make a cup of tea?" said Ron.
Harry stared at him.
"It's what my mum does whenever someone's upset," said Ron looking sheepish.
At last, after many more assurances of help, with a steaming mug of tea in front of him, Hagrid blew his nose on a handkerchief. "Yer right. I can't afford to go ter pieces. Gotta pull meself together…"
"I've not bin meself lately," said Hagrid, stroking Fang with one hand and mopping his face with the other. "Worried abou' Buckbeak, an' no one likin' me classes."
"We do like them!" lied Hermione at once.
"It's my favorite class you know." said Newt and Harry could see Newt genuinely meant it.
"Yeah, they're great!" said Ron, crossing his fingers under the table. "Er… how are the flobberworms?"
"Dead," said Hagrid gloomily. "Too much lettuce."
"Oh no!" said Ron, his lip twitching.
"I'm so sorry to hear that Hagrid. It really hasn't been so bright lately." said Newt, sounding actually sorry that the Flobberworms died.
"Those ruddy Dementors are making me feel terrible. Feels like being make in Azkaban." said Hagrid, with a shudder.
He fell silent, gulping his tea. Harry, Ron, Newt and Hermione watched him breathlessly. They had never heard Hagrid talk about his brief spell in Azkaban before.
"It's so horrible. I see days me father died, day I let Norbert go…. Day I was expelled." said Hagrid sadly. "You feel like you will never be happy again. Feel like there's no point in livin."
Then he said quietly, "Thought of jus letting Buckbeak go… Maybe he might fly away. But what would I say when they ask me? It would be breakin a law. I don want to go back ter Azkaban."
The trip to Hagrid's, though far from fun, had nevertheless had the effect Ron, Newt and Hermione had hoped. Though Harry had by no means forgotten about Black, he couldn't brood constantly on revenge if he wanted to help Hagrid win his case against the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures.
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The next day, the Quartet spent their day in the library, preparing their defense for the case.
"I'm going to send the committee about my view of what happened. Though, I don't think it will have much effect." said Newt.
The four of them sat in front of the roaring fire trying to find an information about a relevant case.
"How about this?" said Hermione. "A Manticore savaged someone in 1296, and they let the Manticore off… Oh wait. That was only because everyone was too scared to go near it…"
So far, the preparation for the defense has not been so good.
Meanwhile, in the rest of the castle, the usual magnificent Christmas decorations had been put up, despite the fact that only very few students remained on the castle. Thick streamers of holly and mistletoe were strung along the corridors, mysterious lights shone from inside every suit of armour, and the Great Hall was filled with its usual twelve Christmas trees, glittering with golden stars.
On Christmas morning, Harry was woken by Ron throwing his pillow at him.
"Oy! Presents!"
Harry reached for his glasses and put them on and saw that there were heaps of presents under the tree. Ron was already there ripping the paper while Newt was near looking for his.
"Another sweater from Mum. Come on mum. What part of I don't like marron don't you understand?" groaned Ron.
"Alright! Thanks gramps! I wanted this book!" said Newt happily as he picked up the book that said "A-Z guide of Leporidae care."
Harry checked his presents. Mrs. Weasley had sent him a scarlet sweater with the Gryffindor lion knitted on the front and some christmas cake. As he moved all these things aside, he saw a long, thin package lying underneath.
"What's that?" asked Newt.
"Dunno." said Harry as he pulled the package towards him.
Ron looked at shock. "Is that a broomstick?"
"Only one way to find out." said Harry as he opened the package. Then, Ron and Harry gasped.
It was a broomstick. But not any broomstick: A Firebolt. It was just as beautiful as the one he saw from the Diagon Alley. It had a smooth handle and a streamlined birch twig.
"Who sent it to you?" said Ron in a hushed voice.
"Look and see if there's a card," said Harry.
"Nope. No cards." said Newt as he checked the wrapper.
"I wonder who sent you this." said Ron.
"It probably wasn't the Dursley's." chuckled Harry.
"Well it certainly wasn't from any of us." said Newt.
"Maybe Dumbledore? I mean, he did give you the invisibility cloak." said Ron.
"No. That was just him returning what was mine. He wouldn't spend hundreds of Galleons on me. I'm pretty sure he can't go around giving something like this to students. " said Harry.
"Maybe that's why he sent it secretly! In case some git like Malfoy said it was favouritism." said Ron. Then he jerked his head up, grinning widely. "Malfoy! Wait till he sees this. Oh, I should borrow Colin's camera. I want to take a picture of this."
"Nevermind picture. Who sent me this?" said Harry.
"Maybe Professor McGonagall? I mean, she did send you your Nimbus. Not to mention, she's a hardcore Quidditch fan." said Newt.
"Or maybe…." said Ron looking thoughtful. Then he snapped his fingers. "I know Lupin!"
"What? That's ridiculous. If he had money to buy a top class broom, he would have gotten himself few nice robes already!" said Harry.
"But he does seem to like you. And he was away when your Nimbus got smashed, and he might've heard about it and decided to visit Diagon Alley and get this for you." said Ron.
"Away? He was sick!" said Harry.
"Yeah but he wasn't in the Hospital Wing. I was there for detention remember?"
"Lupin really was sick." Newt said rather forcefully. "He probably needed to go to St Mungos. Not the infirmary. He was sick, it was probably not the one who got you this broom."
"Guess you are right. I mean, Lupin probably couldn't afford this."
"What're you guys talking about?" Hermione had just come in, wearing her dressing gown and carrying Crookshanks, who was looking very grumpy, with a string of tinsel tied around his neck.
"Don't bring him in here!" said Ron, hurriedly snatching Scabbers from the depths of his bed and stowing him in his pyjama pocket.
But Hermione wasn't listening. Newt quickly got out some catnip and put some on Seamus's bed as Hermione dropped Crookshanks on that bed.
"Is… Is that Firebolt?!" gasped Hermione. "Who sent you that?"
"No idea. No card." said Harry shrugging.
To his great surprise, Hermione did not appear either excited or intrigued by the news. On the contrary, her face fell, and she bit her lip.
"What's the matter with you?" said Ron.
"I don't know," said Hermione slowly, "but it's a bit odd, isn't it? I mean, this is supposed to be quite a good broom, isn't it?"
Ron looked annoyed. "Quite good? It's the best broom out there!"
"So it must've been really expensive…"
"You think? Probably cost more than all the Slytherins' brooms put together," said Ron happily.
"Well… who'd send Harry something as expensive as that, and not even tell him they'd sent it?" said Hermione.
"Who cares?" said Ron impatiently. "Listen, Harry, can I have a go on it? Can I?"
"I don't think anyone should ride that broom just yet!" said Hermione shrilly.
"Hermione, I know you are bit shaky on broom but Ron's pretty good you know. No need to be afraid." said Newt.
"That's not the point! The point!" said Hermione.
Then, shrill, tiny, whistling was filling the room. The Pocket Sneakoscope had become dislodged from Uncle Vernon's old socks and was whirling and gleaming on the floor.
"I forgot about that!" Harry said, bending down and picking up the Sneakoscope. "Wonder what's wrong with it."
"Dunno." said Ron while keeping an eye on Crookshanks. He pulled out Scabbers and gently petted it. Scabbers looked really thin and looked as if he lost few patches of fur.
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Harry and Ron spent rest of the day examining the broom. Hermione was looking at them darkly while Newt was looking at Hermione suspiciously.
At lunchtime they went down to the Great Hall, to find that the House tables had been moved against the walls again, and that a single table, set for twelve, stood in the middle of the room. Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape,Sprout, and Flitwick were there, along with Filch the caretaker. Hagrid wasn't there, probably crying in his hut.
There were only 6 students. Harry, Ron, Newt, Hermione a Gryffindor 1st year and a Slytherin 5th year.
"Welcome! Since there is so few of us now, I felt like there is no need for house tables! Sit any where you like!" said Dumbledore.
Harry, Ron, Newt and Hermione sat down side by side at the end of the table.
"Crackers!" said Dumbledore enthusiastically, offering the end of a large silver noisemaker to Snape. Snape reluctantly tugged one and with a huge bang, a large witches hat with stuffed vulture appeared on his head.
Harry and Ron tried there best not to laugh while Snape looked furious. He still remembered the incident with the boggart. He pushed the hat to Dumbledore, who happily put on the hat.
"Dig in!" he advised the table, beaming.
As Harry was helping himself to roast potatoes, the doors of the Great Hall opened and Professor Trelawney came in.
"Sybill, this is a pleasant surprise!" said Dumbledore, standing up.
"I have been crystal gazing, Headmaster," said Professor Trelawney in her misty voice. "I saw myself abandoning by solitary lunch and joining you. How could I refuse the fate?"
"Welcome then! Let me get you a chair." said Dumbledore.
And he did draw a chair in midair with his wand, which fall between Professor Snape and McGonagall, who both seemed rather unhappy with the sitting.
Professor Trelawney, however, did not sit down. She scanned the table and suddenly let out a soft scream.
"No Headmaster! If I join the table, we shall be thirteen! Nothing could be more unlucky! Never forget that when thirteen dine together, the first to rise will be the first to die!"
"We'll risk it, Sybil," said Professor McGonagall impatiently. "Do sit down, the turkey's getting stone cold."
Professor Trelawney hesitated, then lowered herself into the empty chair, eyes shut and mouth clenched tight, as though expecting a thunderbolt to hit the table.
Professor Trelawney looked around. "Where is dear Professor Lupin?"
"I'm afraid the poor fellow is ill again," said Dumbledore. "Most unfortunate that it should happen on Christmas Day."
"But surely you already knew that, Sybil?" said Professor McGonagall, her eyebrows raised.
Professor Trelawney gave Professor McGonagall a very cold look. "Of course I did. But one should not parade that one knows all. I normally act like I do not posses the inner eye."
"You don't say." said Professor McGonagall tartly.
"I doubt," said Dumbledore, in a cheerful but slightly raised voice, which put an end to Professor McGonagall and Professor Trelawney's conversation, "that Professor Lupin is in any immediate danger. Severus, you gave him his potion?"
"Yes, Headmaster," said Snape.
"Good, Then he should be up and about in no time… " said Dumbledore as he turned to the 1st year Gryffindor. "Derek, have you had any of the chipolatas? They're excellent."
Professor Trelawney behaved almost normally until the very end of Christmas dinner, two hours later. Full to bursting with Christmas dinner and still wearing their cracker hats, Harry and Ron got up first from the table and she shrieked loudly.
"My dears! Which of you left his seat first? Which?"
"Dunno," said Ron, looking uneasily at Harry.
"I doubt it will make much difference," said Professor McGonagall coldly, "unless a mad axe man is waiting outside the doors to slaughter the first into the Entrance Hall."
Ron couldn't hold in his laugh which made Professor Trelawney look very annoyed.
"Well, we better start heading up. Hermione, Newt coming?" said Harry.
"No. I need a word with professor McGonagall." said Hermione.
Newt suddenly gasped. "Hermione, you wouldn't." whispered Newt.
Hermione didn't say anything but kept her mouth tightly shut.
"What? What are you talking about?" asked Ron.
"Nothing. You two should head up. I will try to talk Hermione out of it." said Newt.
Ron and Harry left the great hall, looking confused.
When they reached the portrait hole they found Sir Cadogan enjoying a Christmas party several other portraits.
"Merry! hic! Christmas! Password?"
"Scurvy cur," said Ron.
"And the same to you, sir!" roared Sir Cadogan, as the painting swung forward to admit them.
Harry went straight up to the dormitory, collected his Firebolt and the Broomstick Servicing Kit Hermione had given him for his birthday, brought them downstairs and tried to find something to do with the Firebolt. But the broomstick was in such a perfect shape, he didn't need to polish the broom.
Harry and Ron sat down and admired the broom until the portrait door opened.
Newt came in looking very anxious. "Harry! Harry I tried my best but Hermione wouldn't listen! I'm so sorry!" Newt frantically apologized.
"Newt, what are you talking about?" asked Harry.
But Newt couldn't answer because the portrait door swung opened and Professor McGonagall and Hermione came in. Newt groaned.
Hermione walked around them, sat down, picked up the nearest book and hid her face behind it.
Harry wondered what Professor McGonagall was doing here because she normally only came to the Common Room to give announcements.
"So that's it, is it?" said Professor McGonagall, walking over to the fireside and staring at the Firebolt. "Miss Granger has just informed me that you have been sent a broomstick, Potter."
Harry and Ron looked around at Hermione. They could see her forehead reddening over the top of her upside down book.
"May I?" said Professor McGonagall, but she didn't wait for an answer before pulling the Firebolt out of their hands
"Hmm… No card, no message of any kind?"
"Yes."
"Well in that case… I"m going to have to take this Potter."
"What!" said Harry, scrambling to his feet. "Why?"
"It will need to be checked for jinxes," said Professor McGonagall. "Of course, I'm no expert, but I daresay Madam Hooch and Professor Flitwick will strip it down..."
"Strip it down?" repeated Ron looking at Professor McGonagall as if she was mad.
"It will only take few weeks. You will have it back when it is completely jynx free."
"There's nothing wrong with it!" said Harry, his voice shaking slightly. "Honestly, Professor!"
"You can't know that, Potter," said Professor McGonagall. "not until you've flown it, at any rate, and I'm afraid that is out of the question until we are certain that it has not been tampered with. I shall keep you informed."
Professor McGonagall turned on her heel and carried the Firebolt out of the portrait hole, which closed behind her. Harry stood staring after her.
"I'm sorry Harry. I tried to talk Hermione out of it. But she completely ignored me." said Newt.
Ron rounded on Hermione. "Why did you go and told McGonagall about it?"
Hermione threw her book aside. She was still pink in the face, but stood up and faced Ron defiantly. "Because I thought, and Professor McGonagall agrees with me, that that broom was probably sent by Sirius Black!"