Chapter 13: The Local Wildlife
Link, Hagrid, and his dog Fang spent the next few hours hiking through the muddy castle grounds at their leisure with Hagrid acting as guide, pointing out all the features that the school bounds had to offer. While they walked Hagrid remarked as to the recent heavy rainfall.
'Never seen anything like it before. Whole valley 'll drown if this keeps up.' said Hagrid as they sloshed through an ankle-deep body of water that seemed to cover the whole eastern lawn.
After they went around the walls, Hagrid showed Link the school's vegetable gardens as well as the animal yards including the Cucco pen. Just watching them all strut around like they owned the place almost made Link go berserk right there, but he managed to restrain himself for Hagrid's sake. Once Hagrid had finished showing Link around the interior lawns surrounding the keep, they walked over to the Black Lake. Link was pleased to learn that fishing was permitted (much to Navi's dismay). In fact, the groundskeeper himself held the record for largest fish caught. When Hagrid told him it weighed over fifty pounds, his mouth dropped open in shock. Hagrid got a good laugh out of this.
He can't be serious! The largest fish I've ever caught was a 17-pound Hylian Loach. Then again, they do have pretty big Octo's in this lake…
'I don't see the big squiddie.' said Hagrid, frowning slightly as he looked over the choppy water, 'Usually you can see him gliding along the top o' the lake. Well, must be all this new water we're getting...'
'Hmmm…I wonder where he could be Link?' whispered Navi slyly. 'I wonder, I wonder…'
He attacked us! It was self defence! Thought Link, avoiding eye contact with Hagrid as he scratched the back of his neck.
They also revisited the Whomping Willow which was still recovering from being smashed into. Hagrid remarked that the tree would need at least another two months before its limbs had healed. While they were at the tree Hagrid asked him if he had been sneaking out of the Gryffindor Tower and he dutifully shook his head.
'Humph.' snorted Hagrid, an amused look in his eye. 'O' course, o' course.'
Hagrid explained the territorial nature of the Whomping Willow and how it could sense intruders if they got in range of its powerful limb like branches.
'Link promise me you won't try to tease that tree.' whispered Navi sternly as they followed Hagrid away.
'…'
'Link, you- ' began Navi but she fell silent when Hagrid started talking again.
'Ya' know I figured there was somethin' about ya' back when you jumped on that boat.' said Hagrid looking down at him, 'Somethin' different about ya'.'
Link was silent. He had really only done it to look cool in front of Luna, truth be told.
'Then ya snuck out on yer first night. I dunno, I thought ya was doin it just to be a troublemaker. Maybe ye' were. But I don't think a common troublemaker would go on a tour with me. Look at a bunch of plants n' things.' said Hagrid seriously.
He didn't know how to respond to that so he said nothing.
'Well, come on. There's one more thing I can show ya'. It's the treeline to the Forbidden Forest. We're not going in the forest proper mind you, but we can poke around the outskirts.' said Hagrid as he resumed walking again. He followed and before after a messy journey through the steadily deepening water, they were at the marshy boundary to the Forbidden Forest.
He and Hagrid stood as close as they could to the Forbidden Forest without having to get their legs wet. The forest looked rotted. Trees that had died from the drought or were killed off by the flood had fallen over into a foot-deep expanse of brown, debris clogged water. Normally Link would have expected the woods to be filled with the sounds of birds yet the Forbidden Forest was oddly silent except for the sound of floodwaters still escaping into the Black Lake.
'It didn't used to be like this. Floodin' seems to have washed all the good stuff out. Nothin' but…well things ya' don't want after ya'.'
Hagrid sighed, 'I can't even go in very far now. The muds so thick ya see?' Link nodded. 'Got to be careful at the best o' times in the forest.' said Hagrid looking back in.
Link already knew some of the dangers that lay within but he had barely explored the massive forest. That would have to change though. There was definitely corrupting magic at work, he could feel it. He had seen this all before.
All I need to do is recover the crystal and in time the forest will heal. He thought as he surveyed the marsh.
'Er. Tell you the truth I'd been meaning ter' ask you somethin'.' Link looked up at Hagrid, when he saw the serious look in Hagrid's eye's he felt his heart race a little.
Does he know something about the rainstorm?
'Back when I was a student at Hogwarts-' started Hagrid his voice cracking, 'I had this pet see.'
A pet? What is he…
'But it wasn't just a pet to me. It was my best friend. I took care of it from birth.' continued Hagrid, choking up a little.
Oh God, that Octo wasn't his pet was it?
'And it was real clever, too. It could even talk-'
It could talk?
' -and it understood me an' everything. Anyway, when we were walking aroun' the school, I heard this little voice coming from your green hat thing there.' said Hagrid pointing at his hat.
Uh oh.
'I ain't sayin' you have got a little creature in there or nothin'!' said Hagrid quickly upon seeing his panicked expression. 'I don't mean to put you in a spot either. I guess you just remind me of me I guess.'
Link stood there, not saying anything.
'It doesn't bother me none and I think ya' know what yer' doin.' said Hagrid looking back into the swamp, 'You just got to be careful though. Not everyone understands…'
For a moment it looked like Hagrid was about to say more, but then he shook his head and turned back to him.
'Anyways, let's get back to the castle. It'll be supper soon and ya' went and missed lunch already. You must be starved.'
With that the two walked back to the castle, leaving the swamp behind them. Once they reached the Great Hall Hagrid said goodbye and Link smiled and waved. To his shock Hagrid took the gesture with surprising emotion and nearly went for a hug which he dodged by ducking and running away.
'He's nice Link.' said Navi as Hagrid lumbered away. 'I like him.'
'Mmm.'
Link spotted Luna sitting alone again at the Ravenclaw table and she waved him over. As he took his usual seat beside her, he once again noticed a few stares from the other Ravenclaws and a few Slytherins whose house tables were next to each other but he didn't care. After what Hagrid had said to him, he had much more important things on his mind.
He and Luna greeted each other as he sat down. Just as everyone was getting settled, Dumbledore stood and the hall fell silent.
'Everyone, I know we are all looking forward to our dinner so I will be brief. Sometime today our caretaker Argus Filch's keys went missing.' said Dumbledore. Filch, who was standing at his side, looked murderous.
'I cannot understate the severity of a missing master key ring; therefore, I would ask all students to please keep their eyes open. If you find these keys, please turn them in to your Head of House. If a student has the keys and is hiding them-' Dumbledore's eyes swept over Link and he felt a brief thrill of fear '-the consequences will be severe. Thank you.' said Dumbledore sitting. Once he had sat, the tables filled with food and conversation picked up again.
That was fast. Thought Link nervously as Luna loaded up her plate, unconcerned, So much for taking my time. I should explore the whole castle tonight, top to bottom. Once I'm finished, I'll leave the keys where they'll be found and that will hopefully be the end of it.
'I was wondering Link, I don't think I've ever seen you eat anything. Don't you get hungry?' asked Luna as she poured gravy into the miniature caldera she had spooned into her mashed potatoes.
'Mmm.' he replied, half nodding.
'I see. Well as long as you're not starving I guess.' she said shrugging to herself.
'Oh, look Loony and the Mutey are on another date together.' said a nearby Ravenclaw to his friends who chortled.
'That's Terry Boot.' said Luna once the laughter had subsided, pointing to the boy with her fork. 'He's not very clever so he picks on the first years to feel smart.' Link nodded sagely.
Terry snorted 'I suppose everyone in your year must be an idiot too then because they all make fun of you as well.'
'Well maybe they are.' said Luna simply. Terry rolled his eyes and went back to talking to his friends.
'Anyway, what are you doing tomorrow? Do you want to come to the library and study with me? We could do our charms homework together.' she said looking at Link who nodded.
'Great! How about we meet after lunch then?'
He nodded again.
Tonight; explore. Morning; avoid suspicion. Afternoon; study. Evening; conquer forest. Sounds like a plan to me.
Back in the Gryffindor first year's boy's dormitory, Link, Colin and the others were getting ready for bed. Of course, Link didn't actually sleep. So, in order for him to fool his fellow bunkmates he would put on his night clothes and climb in bed and wait. Usually they were all in bed by 11:00. By 12:00 they should be sound asleep. However just to make sure, he would play the Goron Lullaby on his ocarina. The Goron Lullaby would make anyone sleep deeply. Then he would be free to leave without anyone being any the wiser.
I'm so clever. Thought Link smugly as he lay on his bed, looking up at the ceiling. I'm two steps ahead of everyone!
'Hey Link you left your "Witch's Secret Shampoo" in the bathroom again.' said a snickering first year, who threw the pink, rose shaped bottle to him.
Link blushed as he caught the shampoo bottle and put it back inside his nightstand drawer.
Did Navi have to pick the most embarrassing brand possible? He thought angrily as the other boys snickered around him.
'Hey Link!' called out Colin as he walked in, 'Guess what? I got my pictures developed! They move and everything. Want to see?'
This ought to be interesting Thought Link, sitting up as Colin pulled out a dark purple binder from his trunk.
'Here, take a look!' Colin walked over and opened the binder for him. Flipping through the pages, Link saw that in the short time he had been at Hogwarts Colin had taken hundreds of pictures. Most of them were of Harry Potter trying to get away but in the top row of the first page there was the photo that Colin took of the opening ceremony boat ride. The picture featured Link, throwing his arms up to shield himself from the camera flash, a stunned looking Ginny, and a dazed Luna blinking with her mouth slightly open.
Link laughed and gave Colin a thumbs up. However, looking at the photo he couldn't help but feel uneasy for some reason. But after seeing the other photo's in Colin's scrapbook and everyone's laughing reaction to them, he promptly forgot his concern and instead focused on his upcoming mission. Exploring the castle.
Link crawled under his covers and waited. Navi had made him promise that he wouldn't get impatient and sneak off early, so he was stuck twiddling his thumbs. Colin was usually the first one to fall asleep. Then the other four would drift off. Minutes then hours passed until after what seemed like an eternity, his bedside clock read midnight. Slipping out of his sheets and tiptoeing over to his green tunic, he grabbed his ocarina and played the Goron Lullaby.
After the song was finished and the enchantment took hold, Navi piped up, 'Excellent! Change and let's go. We've a lot of ground to cover, and not a lot of time to do it in.'
He held up the ocarina again.
'No, Link. We can't mess with time anymore than we need to.' said Navi patiently.
He grumbled as he pulled on his tunic and boots, just as he was pulling on his hat Navi landed on his head and was covered. He was ready.
Ducking through the dormitory door, he saw that the Common Room still had some older students studying and chatting amongst themselves. Pulling on the Stone Mask, he walked across the room to the door. Before he could reach it though, an exhausted looking Harry stumbled in, his glasses crooked on his face. Yawning, Harry staggered over to the staircase. Before the portrait closed, Link slipped past him and into the hall.
Guess Harry finished his detention.
'Alright Link, every locked door, every room, top to bottom. Ready?'
He pulled off the stone mask and started to do some warm up stretches. His magical stamina was getting low.
I'm going to need to kill something with my axe soon.
After a deep breath he took off down the hallway.
Link quickly ran through the room, flinging open the cupboards and peering beneath the desks. It was a strange place, filled with clocks of all makes, shapes, and sizes. The incessant ticking was almost deafening.
If I had class in here, I'd go crazy. He thought as he tipped over a clock shaped like a mermaid.
Nothing.
'Another room down Link, lets keep it up.' said Navi under his hat.
He nodded and ran out of the room. Once in the hallway he stopped to listen. When Hogwarts was quiet, like it was now, he could hear the pointed boots of the wizards on the stone floor from a mile away. Of course, that didn't include the caretaker's cat Mrs. Norris…
I expected more security tonight, seeing as how the master key set was just stolen. I wonder where everyone is?
He ran down the hallway before stopping in front of a bathroom door. It was a girl's bathroom with a large "Out of Order" sign on the door.
I-I guess I should search everywhere. Still though…
'…'
'Link?' whispered Navi, 'Clock's ticking, come on.'
He glanced around the hallway nervously before approaching the door. Just as he reached for the door handle, it started to open. Yelping in surprise, he backed away as Ginny stepped out.
Laughing nervously, he threw his hands to his hips and tried to look innocent as Ginny entered the hallway. She looked at him briefly, before pushing past him, an empty expression on her face. Surprised, he looked at her eyes as she walked past. They were glassy and dull.
Is she sleep walking?
He watched perplexed as she calmly walked away down the hall before disappearing around the corner.
'That was close.' breathed Navi. 'But what was she doing here of all places? She definitely noticed you, too. Hell, she practically knocked you over.'
He gulped.
'Well, I'll think about it later. Keep exploring Link, we're on the clock.'
He nodded as he ran past the bathroom.
No need to tempt fate twice.
'But.' started Navi in her teasing tone 'What will sweet Princess Zelda think, when she finds out - And she will find out, trust me - about what you almost did, Link?'
As Navi started laughing, he imagined flushing a certain fairy down the toilet.
It was almost daybreak by the time he and Navi had went through the locked doors to the castle. He had come across many bizarre rooms and strange objects but no crystal shard. There were still a few rooms that he didn't find a way to open, Navi guessed they probably needed a password, and no doubt he had missed a secret passage or two, but under the present circumstances he was pleased with himself.
I can't believe I almost got caught by Ginny in the girls 2nd floor restroom. I would have never lived it down.
There was only one thing left for him to do.
Creeping stealthily through the passageways, he silently moved towards the Entrance Hall. As he descended the Shifting Staircase he kept his ears peeled and his Stone Mask at the ready in case he needed to beat a hasty retreat. In the distance he heard what sounded like a sawmill cutting through some especially thick and dry old lumber.
Running on his tip toes as quietly as he could manage, he moved down the corridor towards the source of the sound. Peeking around a corner, he spotted the snoring caretaker Filch, dead asleep on a wooden chair, his hands clutching a nasty looking spiked club while Mrs. Norris lay curled at his feet, also asleep.
Filch was sitting facing towards his prized pot collection, that lay tantalizingly out of reach behind the display glass. Rigged up to the cabinet door was an elaborate series of ropes, pulleys, and counter weights that, if disturbed, would cause a massive bell to sound.
Link scratched his chin as he studied the contraption.
'Don't do it Link.' moaned Navi, 'It's not worth it.'
'Shhhh!' he whispered, This will take every ounce of my concentration.
'Give me a break…' Navi sighed, but he ignored her.
Looking around the room, he saw that for all of the mechanical complexity at work here, it all depended on the bell itself ringing. Normally he would just cut the rope, but it was under tension. If the rope was tampered with in any way the alarm would sound. But, without the bell to sound the alarm, it was just an over designed tripwire.
I have to take out the bell then.
Pulling out the Bow of Hero's, he charged an ice arrow and aimed for the very tip of the tongue of the bell. Taking a breath, he steadied himself. If he was off by even an inch, he'd hit the bell and he'd be toast.
'Link! Are you sure about this? Won't the arrow just hit the bell and-' Link ignored her and fired.
At the moment of striking its target the air around the arrow froze into a giant block of ice, completely encasing the bell. Before the tongue could strike it was flash frozen just half a foot from sounding his doom.
He looked down at Filch and Mrs. Norris. Filch was still slumped over in his chair, snoring loudly and Mrs. Norris curled her tail but otherwise kept dozing. Grinning broadly, he unlocked the cabinet door and opened the display. Sure enough the ropes went slack but with nothing to trigger, they hung there useless.
'Just take one, Link. We don't have the time and we can't take the risk for you to haul thirty pots out.'
He nodded.
Navi's right, but which one to take? Decisions, decisions.
Looking through the available pots, he selected the biggest one in the collection. It featured two red haired students hanging from chains in the dungeon, screaming in agony as they dangled above roaring flames.
Taking the pot out carefully and setting it on top of his head, he ran back the way he had come, careful to keep his balance. Running up the Shifting Staircase, Link went to the very top ledge and looking down, grinning savagely.
'Don't forget to return the keys.' reminded Navi who had flown out of his robe and onto the ledge handguard. He nodded and set the pot on the balcony. Taking the keys from his pocket he placed them inside the award-winning pot.
All was still for a moment. Letting out a tiny, mad giggle, he lightly coaxed the pot over the edge. The pot slowly rotated as it fell, tumbling end over end. As it passed down the stairwell, it narrowly dodged through the shifting staircases; almost as if they were moving out of the way for the ceramic missile. To Link it lasted seconds that almost seemed to stretch into minutes. A timeless period of beautiful freefall. Finally, it hit the stone floor far below and exploded into a million hand painted shards. Countless hours of loving artistic dedication and craft, gone in a micro instant. It was glorious.
Link closed his eyes and exhaled, clutching his heart. Leaning back upright, he replayed the exquisite sight over and over again in his mind, committing every detail of his vandalism to memory.
'Link, you need help.' whispered Navi seriously as he felt tears start to form in his eyes.
His moment of ecstasy was interrupted by an echoing howl of rage from the bottom of the stairs. Filch had awoken, and boy did he sound pissed.
Time to go.
Jumping away from the balcony, he began to run back to Gryffindor Tower.
He can't catch me, I'm faster than anyone. I'm- His thoughts were interrupted by another howl. Louder than before.
Link felt his confidence fade and his face drain of colour. Something that he hadn't considered until just now was that the castle had many secret passages and shortcuts. Shortcuts that Filch was rumored to know better than any other member of the faculty. Picking up the pace, he started to sprint as though Ganon himself was chasing him. Over his shoulder, he started to hear noises. Pounding feet, wheezing breath.
No. It couldn't be. There's no way!
Flying down the corridor, he nearly ran through the portrait as he came to a stop.
'Wattlebird! Wattlebird!' said Navi fearfully as Link checked behind them.
The corridor was empty, but in the distance they could hear frenzied cries. The sound of a blood mad beast on the hunt. Abandoning any pretense of calm, Link started to rapidly poke the Fat Lady's face. Stirring groggily, she awoke with a snort.
'Huh? What? What is it?' said the Fat Lady blearily.
'Wattlebird!' cried Navi frantically.
'Oh, its you. The green boy with the weird voice-' started the portrait in an annoyed tone.
'DEATH!' shrieked Filch, much louder and nearer than Link would have thought possible.
' -you know it is customary to sleep at night-' she continued, puffing herself up as she looked at him haughtily.
'THIS TIME! THIS TIME!' bellowed the nearly unrecognizable voice of Filch. He sounded more animal than man.
'-I certainly try to. But you seem to think that-' she continued wagging her finger.
The stone mask won't work on someone who's enraged! He's too alert, he'll see through my illusions!
'Hey! Listen!' shouted Navi in her most severe tone. The line caused Link to flinch reflexively. 'Open this door! Wattlebird!'
'Why, I never…'
The portrait door opened and he dashed in. Just before slamming it shut, he saw Filch's looming shadow appear on the far wall.
With the portrait shut the blood curdling cries of Filch were suddenly cut off, but it was a moments respite. Link moved without hesitating.
In a few seconds he'll be at the door. I have to move fast! If I'm not in my bed, it'll be a dead give away!
Taking the stairs three at a time, he catapulted himself up to the boy's dormitory. Sprinting into the first-year dorm, he breathlessly glanced around the room. His bunkmates were still sound asleep, blissfully unaware of the approaching storm.
Goron's Lullyby is still affecting them. For now.
Throwing off his tunic, he heedlessly pulled on his pyjamas as fast as he could. While he changed, Navi fluttered away into the depths of his bedding. Once he was in his nightclothes, he dove under the covers of his bed and waited.
There was a second of silence. Then another.
A third second passed.
Then the portrait door opened.
'WHERE ARE YOU!?' screamed Filch, his terrible voice piercing through to every room in the tower. 'YOU RED-HEADED BASTARDS! COME OUT! COME OUT!'
Filch had come to deliver his reckoning. Link recoiled as he heard Filch hobbling up the spiral staircase, his voice growing louder as he grew closer. The other boys in the room awoke slowly, the ocarina's enchantment over them broken by the noise.
'Wha-what's going on?' said Colin sleepily.
'ARGH!' bellowed Filch as he moved past the first year's room and Colin threw his covers over his head, shaking in fear.
Everyone in the room lay frozen as they listened to Filch hound down the Weasley twins. Before long he had them in his clutches and was hauling them down the staircase.
'Well Fred, this is the end.' said George off-handily as he was hauled bodily down the stairs.
'That's putting it lightly, George.' returned Fred, stifling a yawn.
'SHUT UP!' screeched Filch.
Sorry Fred, sorry George. Should your spirits be broken, I will lay them to rest. Thought Link guiltily.
As quickly as he had appeared, Filch was gone. Fred and George were hauled out of the tower and all was silent again.
In the aftermath of Filch's vengeance, the entirety of Gryffindor House had awoken and had crammed itself into the Common Room to talk about what they had just seen.
'I almost had a heart attack when I heard!'
'Fred and George are goners, goners! No way they aren't expelled assuming they did what I think they did.'
'What could they have done? You don't think they smashed his pots, do you?'
Link was seated by the window with all the other first years after they were shooed away from the fireplace by the older Gryffindors. At the moment, he and a few others were trying their best to calm down Ginny who was in a state of panic.
'Mum'll kill them if they get expelled! It couldn't have been them. It just couldn't have been!' she said, sobbing.
If it comes down to it. I'll take the blame. But maybe they'll be exonerated by the lack of evidence! Thought Link as he patted her back comfortingly.
The other Gryffindors did not seem as optimistic in the possibility of a fair trial however.
'Filch has had it in for them since first year. They're screwed.'
'Poor Fred and George. Cut down in the prime of their lives…'
The portrait door swung open and everyone turned their heads. It was non-other than Professor McGonagall. She looked especially tight lipped and angry, and beneath her gaze the room fell silent.
'Professor McGonagall - ma'am.' said Percy pushing his way to her. He took a deep breath, 'Fred and George, have they been expelled?'
She looked at him, 'No.' said McGonagall tersely and there was shouts of relief from around the room, Ginny looked like she could start crying again.
'However, at this moment an investigation is ongoing. In the interest of Gryffindor House, I have volunteered your co-operation. I ask that each student before leaving this room, present their wand to me for inspection. After which, you will proceed to the Great Hall and sit quietly.'
There was some nervous shuffling of feet before McGonagall continued. 'Do not worry. I know that none of the students in Gryffindor House would be so recklessly stupid-' Link scratched his head and looked at his feet '-so incredibly insensitive, to attempt what happened tonight.'
McGonagall called the first-year students up first. Holding their wand, she muttered an incantation with her own wand held aloft. Every time she did so a different effect would occur. When she did it to Link's wand, he noticed that a nearby stack of papers flew slightly.
Did she recall the last spell I cast? Interesting. It's a good thing I only use my wand for classwork.
After she had examined his wand he was permitted to leave the tower. Walking down to the Great Hall, he saw that the House tables were also filling up slowly with pajama clad students. However, only first years were in the hall so far. Link didn't dare go sit with Luna under these circumstances so instead he went to sit with his fellow Gryffindors. Amazingly he saw that Fred and George were seated at the table, crowded by excited first years.
He joined them, sitting as close to the twins as he could.
'What did you guys do this time?' asked a blonde girl he didn't know.
'Well, we have been accused-' started Fred
'Accused only mind you.' interjected George
'Yes. Accused of sabotaging ol' Argy's piss pot collection.' finished Fred nonchalantly, clearly enjoying the attention.
The first years started to shower them with praise which they received magnanimously. The effect was undone somewhat by the arrival of Ginny who dove into them for a hug, much to their embarrassment. After about two hours, all of the students from first to seventh year had arrived and each table was filled with people talking about what was going to happen next.
Before long Dumbledore entered the hall and everyone fell silent. Accompanying him were the four heads of house, each one looking especially displeased.
'Well it seems as though we've all had quite an eventful Sunday. I'm sure most of you have by now heard of what has transpired tonight, but to prevent rumour I will tell you all why we're here.' said Dumbledore to the room. He was not smiling.
'Sometime this morning before five, the master key set that had been taken from our caretaker Argus Filch was used to open the "Hogwarts a Proud History in Clay" display in the Entrance Hall. To do so the culprit first performed an unusual spell that I have not seen before- '
Link smiled in spite of himself before quickly regaining his composure.
Now's not the time to feel smug!
' -to bypass the security at the cabinet. Once this person had bypassed the security, they stole a ceramic art piece titled "Just Desserts". Then, pot in hand, they retreated up the Shifting Staircase and dropped it from the top floor.'
Nobody dared make a sound as Filch, who was standing by the headmaster's shoulder, appeared ready to explode.
'Now as of yet, we have no suspects, but if anyone knows anything, I would urge them to come see me.'
The hall was silent as everyone looked at each other.
'Now then. As we are all gathered, let's have breakfast.'
With that eggs, sausage, pancakes, porridge, cereal, and the other usual fare appeared on the tables.
There was no applause to greet the meal this time however. Instead everyone turned to each other with one question on their lips "Who did it?".
Everyone except for one blonde boy, who was becoming increasingly aware of the fact that his shirt was on inside out.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron stood in the Entrance Hall looking up at the alarm bell above the display case. It had been completely frozen. Despite the warm temperature of the hall, the only sign that it was thawing was a faint trail of steam rising from its translucent blue surface. It would melt no doubt, albeit extremely slowly.
'So, Hermione what do you reckon?' asked Ron as he shoveled crisps into his mouth.
'I don't know. It's very strange. It doesn't look like anything I've read about. There are plenty of spells that create ice but…' Hermione shrugged, 'Honestly if Dumbledore couldn't identify it, I doubt anyone else in the school can.'
'I don't know about that.' said Harry confidentially to the other two.
'What do you mean?' coughed Ron as he worked through his crisps. 'You think this is connected to that plot Dobby mentioned?'
'It has to be.' said Harry confidently. 'And what's more, remember back at the breakfast table when Dumbledore was talking about what happened?'
Ron swallowed, 'Yeah?'
'Well when Dumbledore mentioned the spell he didn't recognize, Link suddenly started smiling. Smiling! Of course, he stopped himself really quick.' said Harry frowning.
Hermione looked unconvinced, 'Link is in first year, Harry. Plus, it would be even harder for him to cast that spell because he's mute.' Harry looked back up at the bell as she continued, 'Besides, what motive would he have to sabotage Filch's pot display? It's totally irrational.'
'Maybe he has some sort of pot grudge?' suggested Ron darkly as he reached for another handful of crisps. Harry and Hermione looked at each other.
'Don't be thick, Ron.' said Hermione, rolling her eyes.
'Maybe it's not so irrational. Maybe he wanted Fred and George out of the picture. Everyone knows that they would top Filch's list of suspects.' said Harry grimly.
'But why though?' said Hermione quizzically.
'I don't know. Let's find Fred and George and see what kind of run-ins they've had with Link.' said Harry and the three walked out of the Entrance Hall.
Link didn't dare do anything suspicious after what the headmaster had said. After breakfast, he followed some other Gryffindors back to the tower, meek as a mouse. After explaining the situation to Navi, the two agreed that they should be extra careful. Changing into some casual clothes, he hung out with the other Gryffindor's who mostly just talked about how exciting the morning was.
After lunch, which he also attended, he went to meet up with Luna in the library. He was grateful to have someone help distract him from the "pot fiasco" as Navi had called it and the two did their homework assignments and talked about their classwork. After a few hours they both went to dinner together and afterward he retreated to the Gryffindor Common Room.
I'm probably just being paranoid. He thought as he sat in the Common Room with Colin happily chatting away in his ear. Nobody suspects me. Everything is going to be okay.
Harry, Hermione and Ron didn't have any trouble finding Fred and George. They were busy sitting in the courtyard, basking in their latest notoriety as students furtively whispered around them.
'Fred, George, you two look concerned.' said Harry sarcastically as he, Hermione, and Ron approached their bench.
'Hey Harry. Listen, I don't think you should be seen around us.' said Fred over his shoulder.
'You might get burned.' said George ominously.
'Very clever. Did you two do it or not?' said Hermione, crossing her arms.
Fred and George glanced at each other. After a moment they appeared to come to some unspoken consensus. Motioning for the three to come closer, they leaned in.
'No, but don't tell anybody!' whispered Fred.
'It would devastate our reputation.' added George.
'Do you have any idea who did?' asked Hermione.
'Naw' the two twins said together shaking their heads.
'I sure would like to meet them though.' said George in admiration, much to Hermione's disdain.
She leaned back up, frowning down at the two giggling twins. While she scolded them, Harry furrowed his brow in thought.
This confirms what I already believed. For as devious as the twins can be, I doubt they'd lie about this. Its just not their style. The real question is, what could the Fred and George have possibly done to get targeted by Link?
Clearing his throat, Harry interrupted Hermione's lecture.
'Fred, George, erm, this is a bit of a weird question, but what do you know about the first year student, Link?' asked Harry.
'The mute kid? Nothing much. I know he hangs out with Ginny and some Ravenclaw girl.'
'He's never done anything, I don't know…odd?'
'Well, we know he snoops around at night. Outside. In the rain.' said George.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron's mouths dropped open in shock.
'And you didn't think to say anything?' said Ron dumbfounded.
'No, we didn't think to say anything.' said Fred impersonating Ron in a mocking tone. 'Who do we look like to you? Percy? Honestly…'
Suddenly Hermione gasped. Next thing Harry knew she was hauling Ron and him away from the twins who resumed trying to look cool.
'That's it! Harry, the twins saw Link come in at night, alone!' said Hermione excitedly.
'So?' said Ron confused.
'So Ronald, the point is that Link is supposedly mute.' explained Hermione patiently.
'So?' said Ron, still confused.
'Link is mute and it was the middle of the night. Everybody was asleep except for Fred and George. How did he get into Gryffindor Tower if he can't speak the password?' said Hermione triumphantly.
'Link must not be mute.' concluded Harry, nodding at Hermione.
Ron still looked confused.
'The only question is though, why would he lie about something like that? It seems hugely inconvenient.' mused Hermione, biting her lip.
'I don't know. We'll need to keep an eye on him though. Who knows what else he's hiding? Plus, what was he doing out of the tower?'