Chapter 25: End of the Hour
Matthias and the others weren't used to a brooding Malfoy so everyone was at lost on how to approach it. This unusual display of non-dominance threw the balance off their group's power dynamics so much that even Zabini didn't want to take the helm while their "leader" was feeling sorry for himself.
They all tried their fair share of attempts to pull Malfoy out of his pity parade. Davis started it by slapping Malfoy out of it, but the only reaction they got out of him was a murderous glare, silently telling everyone to leave him alone. The violent approach wasn't welcomed anymore after that. Parkinson thought about trying to ease him into the groups' conversations slowly after that, but Malfoy only nodded and hummed in short responses.
Matthias contributed to the group by opting not to tease Malfoy for finally being proven as the inferior Seeker to Harry and even offered to help get back at the Golden Boy by using the last of his dung bombs. Oddly enough Malfoy refused. Crabbe and Goyle even left their leader's side for the meantime to let him brood over things himself.
Despite their attempts to reach out to Malfoy, the only other person he allowed to help was Theodore; which Matthias found a little weird at first, but understood. Malfoy needed Theodore's support more than he does right now, and Matthias knows that those two have some kind of friendship that appeared only during special cases. This was one of those cases so Matthias didn't really make a scene out of it. He won't deny being a little jealous of the attention Theodore is giving Malfoy right now though.
Once Zabini had enough of Malfoy's pity party, he told everyone to back off and leave the youngest Slytherin alone to feel sorry for himself since he's so hell-bent on refusing their help. Matthias would've argued that, that would be the worst idea yet, but everyone else seemed to think otherwise. Outnumbered in his sentiments, Matthias followed lead and left Malfoy alone. They're the ones who's known the pure-blood for years now, so maybe they know that the kind of solace Malfoy needs and wants.
Despite being detached towards his friends and the world, Malfoy still performed at the peak of his classes. He still had small moments of spontaneity whenever Harry was involved and Matthias was assured that Malfoy will return to his proper vigor in due time.
As June approached, the weather became sultry and cloudless, making it one of the best seasons to lounge around the Black Lake – one of Matthias' favorite places in Hogwarts. He's been meaning to take the Slytherins there for a picnic, and thought that the best time for it is now, when Malfoy is at his calmest and hopefully cheer him up a bit with a little group bonding.
Matthias eyes, glanced down on the work spread out among them and groaned in recall. Oh, right. They didn't have that luxury either.
"I wish we're back to being second years," Zabini moaned as he bullied his brain to memorize important dates during the witch hunts in Britain and neighboring countries.
"I just want to go outside and breathe the air…" Theodore sighed, dropping his face flat on the book he was reading.
Matthias fanned his best mate and mentally cheered him on. Theodore isn't usually the one for the great outdoors, but Matthias supposed being cooped up in the library for hours, reading about academic books instead of fictional-leisure books, is a little too much for their resident bookworm.
Moments later, Crabbe came running towards them, with Goyle flanking behind him, holding out a letter in his hand like it was the holy grail. He stopped in front of their table, heaving for air badly, before turning to Malfoy. "It's – hah – from – phew – that was a lot of stairs –" he inhaled. "It's from your father."
Malfoy looked skeptically at the letter and slowly opened it. The distant gaze plaguing Malfoy's eyes for the past few days slowly faded and was replaced with the malicious glint they know all too well. His lips curled into a satisfying smile and began chuckling lowly to himself, before losing it to the sound of his own voice.
People began looking over towards their table to check the commotion, only to frown in confusion at the sight of Draco Malfoy laughing at letter on his hand.
"Okay," Zabini blinked. "He's lost it. Matthias – I want you to grab his hands and you. Nott, grab you his cloak and wrap it around him. We need to secure him before we transfer him to a mental facility."
Malfoy finally stopped laughing, looking at Zabini with his usual cold gaze to reclaim his position in their group. He threw the letter in the middle of the table for everyone to read, and drawled out darkly, "About time don't you think?"
Theodore looked conflicted and withheld his opinions to himself. Zabini grinned and laid back on his chair, "I didn't think your father can have it signed this fast. Executions usually take years before they're qualified. Was there even an investigation?"
Malfoy scoffed. "As far as I know, there was no need for one. It's clearly a danger to students and it needs to be killed right away."
Matthias' knuckles shook under the table. He and Hermoine tried their hardest to make that case they wrote up for Buckbeak work, and in the end… it didn't matter. Matthias sighed into his hands and laughed at himself. He knew it was inevitable, why did he even think they stood a chance?
"You're going to let an innocent creature die," he mumbles under his breath.
"I would hardly call a beast that almost tore off my arm an innocent creature, Matthias," Malfoy drawled. "Your care for things are once again misplaced. There's nothing innocent about that beast. It deserves to be killed, and it will be kil–"
"There's nothing we can do about it either," Theodore interrupted. "The Committee's made its decision, Matthias. There's no use arguing."
Matthias nodded in understanding. "I know… When is it?"
"The sixth," Zabini read the paper. "That's immediately after exams."
"Perfect," Malfoy sneered. "Gives me enough time to savor Potter's misery."
An unnatural silence fell over the castle when exam week began.
The third years emerged from Transfiguration at lunchtime on Monday, limp and ashen-faced. They compared results and bemoaned the difficulty of the tasks Professor McGonagall set, which included turning a teapot into a tortoise. Hermoine irritated the rest by fussing about how her tortoise looked more like a turtle, which was the least of everyone else's worries.
"A spout for a tail," cried Theodore. "I've never failed this much."
Matthias scoffed, "You? Fail, Transfiguration? Please. If you're failing what does that spell for us?"
Zabini literally spelled out the letters of failing one by one to reiterate their panic. "Do you think she'll notice how mine's blowing steam?"
"Who cares about steam?" Matthias asked "Mine is a porcelain tortoise!"
Among their group, Malfoy was the only one closest to actually acing Transfiguration. He hasn't said anything about his performance, but they were certain he did loads better. Maybe even at par with Hermoine's level.
Then, after a hasty lunch, it was straight back upstairs for Charms.
Professor Flitwick tested them on Cheering charms, something only Malfoy studied on. Matthias and the others were frantically racking their brains for the correct spell and wand movement while waiting for their turn.
In a weird turn of events, Matthias was paired with Daphne. It was so distracting and unnerving being this close to her that he actually forgot about everything he's learned for the past few months with Flitwick. Daphne didn't have the heart to stomach his nervous breakdown and slapped him back to reality.
Zabini winced painfully in the corner with Theodore when they saw Daphne's hand mark itself on Matthias cheek. All Matthias could do was stare at Daphne while she scolded him for being too love-struck to prioritize the exams. After a few good words from the goddess herself, and being reminded of the pain and embarrassment of being scolded by the girl he was crushing on returned Matthias to reality.
Once they were both called, Daphne performed the spell first. Fantastically even. Matthias had never felt more honored to have been Daphne's partner for this exam. When it was finally his turn, Daphne threatened him to do it correctly or else she'll hex him. Burdened with such a responsibility, Matthias prayed to Lady Luck and whispered a quick apology before waving his wand and casting the spell accordingly. Lady Luck heeded his prayers.
After dinner, everyone hurried back to their respective common rooms to start studying for the next day's plate.
Hagrid presided over the Care of Magical Creatures exam the following morning. Matthias knew Hagrid's heart wasn't poured out into this exam at all. It was simply too easy. All they had to do was keep the flobberworms alive by the end of the hour, and since these creatures strive on their own, all they had to do was leave it alone. News of Buckbeak's execution must've really hit him hard.
Matthias walked over to Hagrid and offered his condolences, and apologized for not doing as much as he can to change the verdict. Hagrid then enveloped him in a bear hug, silently weeping on his moleskin coat. Matthias tried to push away from the hug but Hagrid refused to let him go. It wasn't until Hermoine talked the gamekeeper out of it did Matthias finally escape.
Potions happened in the afternoon and the Slytherins practically gift wrapped the exam. Except for maybe Crabbe and Goyle who somehow managed to destroy their respective brews within minutes. Malfoy, however, had the best Confusing Concoction in their table. It only took one satisfied look from Snape to know that he'd write down a perfect mark for the blonde. Snape turned to Matthias' brew, studied it then wrote his judgement on his clipboard without a single face twitch indicating whether or not it was exceptional or passable.
Then came astronomy at midnight, up on the tallest tower of Hogwarts. It would've been a wonderful night to gaze and just appreciate the stars, but tonight was an exam night, they've got no time for that. Professor Sinistra made them locate stars written on their respective charts then was asked to describe them in no less than five sentences.
History of Magic on Wednesday was dreadful. Matthias scribbled everything he has remembered about the witch hunts, but remained unsure if what he's written was facts from the book or fictionalized events he and Theodore made up when they were studying for it in the library. In the afternoon came Herbology, which he managed to pass thanks to Hannah, in the greenhouse under the baking-hot sun. Then it was back to the common room once more. Matthias dropped down on his bed, thinking longingly of this time next day, when it would finally all be over.
Their second to the last exam on Thursday morning was Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Lupin had compiled the most unusual exam any of them had ever taken; a sort of obstacle course outside, where they had to wade across a deep paddling pool of grindylows, cross a series of pothole full of Red Caps, squish their way across a patch of marsh while ignoring misleading directions from a hinkypunk, then climb into an old trunk and battle with a new boggart.
Honestly, Matthias has never been so happy about an exam till Defense. He was expected to perform certain spells but at least he got to simultaneously cast them, one of the things he's missed from Durmstrang – the spontaneity. After his boggart turned into a gigantic worm once again, he yelled out Riddikulus and the boggart turned into a multicolored gummi worm. Matthias climbed out of the trunk, receiving an approving nod from Lupin. He then walked over to where Malfoy was waiting and looked rather bored.
"Up top, Malfoy," Matthias raised an open hand for the blonde to clap.
"No," Malfoy sneered, looking away as Crabbe fell off the trunk.
The others came out in the next couple of minutes with Theodore running towards Matthias with both hands raised at the ready. Matthias received his cheers then turned to Zabini who sauntered his way over the box proudly. Then Hermoine's voice came from behind the last station. Apparently her boggart turned into Professor McGonagall informing her she failed all her classes.
Matthias' last exam was Muggle Studies while the other's had to suffer Divination. Second to the Care of Magical Creatures exam, Muggle Studies was a piece of cake. He even left the room first, with Hermoine following right behind and running towards Arithmancy.
Once everything was finally over, Matthias threw his arms up in triumph, fists clenched in joy, in the air as he entered the cold embrace of the Slytherin dungeon. "Freedom!" he cheered.
A couple of students silently stared at him in the common room, while a few hooted after him.
Parkinson called for his attention near the fireplace and quipped, "How was Muggle studies?"
"Grilled to perfection," Matthias replied, kissing the tip of his fingers and making an okay gesture. He took a seat across her and Zabini, and immediately noticed the lack of attendance within their circle. "Divination?"
"Horrible," moaned Zabini.
Parkinson had more to say about their Divination exam and all the others. She rambled on about the absolutely horrific Defense exam, the dreadful History of Magic exam, and the boring Astronomy exam. "Everything was awful," she bemoaned. "But no worries. It's not like they'll fail any of us."
"Tell me about it," Zabini rolled his eyes. "I've been betting on Crabbe and Goyle to be kicked out anytime this year and they're still running. Those tough bastards."
"They may be bad at a lot of things, but you have to applaud their tenacity of holding on." Parkinson said. "I'm sure they're trying their best to be better. Oh, I know! We should help them next year. I've heard it's going to be really tough especially with O. coming up."
Zabini groaned. "I'm going to pass. The only reason they're probably still here is because of Malfoy anyway."
"Speaking of Malfoy," Matthias mused, "where is he? Shouldn't he be done with Divination with you guys?"
Zabini and Parkinson exchanged looks. Parkinson turned to him and asked, "You don't remember the date?"
"It's the sixth."
"Yes, the last day of exams is also–?" Parkinson tried to press, circling her hand to try and make Matthias remember something he obviously forgot.
Matthias tilted his head. "I don't…"
"Buckbeak's execution, you dummkopf," Zabini chuckled, using Matthias own language to call him names. "I can't believe you forgot, you're like the most against it when Malfoy got the letter."
"Shit!" Matthias cursed. "What time is it?"
"Weren't you listening–?"
"Where's the execution going to be?"
"Hagrid's cabin," Parkinson replied with a gleeful tone. "Malfoy went down to watch. I would go too but, I don't think I can handle watching anyone's head being cut off " She placed a hand on her mouth as though fighting back a barf. "Oh god. I just imagined it–" Parkinson hastily excused herself and disappeared through the girl's dormitory, leaving Zabini and Matthias alone.
Matthias stood up to leave, turning to Zabini one final time to tell him he was going, but the latter only waved his hand dismissively. "Go ahead, man," Zabini mumbled. "I could care less about that half-horse-bird. I'll be in bed."
Zabini walked back to the dorms and Matthias bolted out of the common room, knocking a few shoulders of entering Slytherins. He jogged through the castle halls, passing by a few familiar faces, and Theodore who appeared to be talking with Daphne.
They caught him running towards them and waved at him. Matthias desperately wanted to talk to Daphne after they were partnered for Charms, but only circled around them and mouthed a quick apology about being in a hurry.
Matthias resumed breezing through the corridors and stumbled upon one which was filled with fifth-years that was celebrating their successful O. year. George and Fred caught him by his arms and pulled him into some dance routine, singing cheerfully and jumping around in circles. Lee Jordan stalked behind them, throwing around what looks like confetti that sparked like small fireworks in the air.
He pulled himself out of their grasps, mumbled a quick congratulations towards their well-being and ran before Fred - George? Can pull him in for another headlock. He dashed through the brick stone bridge, hanging over about a hundred feet above the river, heading towards the lawn, and finally stopping before the hill heading to Hagrid's cabin.
Malfoy was pinned to the wall by Hermoine's wand, eyes wide opened in a mixture of fear and misplaced admiration. Crabbe and Goyle clutched their hands into fists and puffed out their chests threateningly, looking ready to pounce at Hermoine, but never fully committing because they remained in place.
"Hermoine, no!" Ron warned. "He's not worth it…"
Hermoine lowers her wand and turns away momentarily. Malfoy snickers, mocking her retreat as a form of cowardice. Then immediately regrets it when his nose met with Hermoine's light fast fist. Matthias winced as he heard something break upon contact.
The pure-blood stumbled on the ground, at loss for words as he groaned at the pain that came after. Malfoy's face contorted in a mixture of emotions upon feeling up the blood trickle down his chin. He leapt up to his feet and ran back to the castle, cursing Granger and swearing to his father's name that they will pay heavily for this. Crabbe and Goyle followed after him from behind, gasping and huffing from the effort they had to do to run up a hill.
"How does it feel to be punched by a girl?" Matthias remarked sneeringly, when Malfoy slowed down to regard him.
"Oh, fuck off, Matthias," the younger scoffed. "Have fun watching your precious beast die." Malfoy walked past him still cradling his nose, with Crabbe and Goyle escorting him carefully.
Matthias looked back to the Gryffindors and saw them descend down the hill. He jumped off the bridge to follow after them, but was stopped on his tracks when he heard someone gasp loudly from behind. He looked over his shoulder and saw no one but himself in the bridge. Frowning at the sound, Matthias shook his head and walked over to the pathway leading down. He lingered around the large rectangular stone, Malfoy was punched into earlier, and watched the trio knock at Hagrid's door.
As they walked inside, Matthias had the urge to go down after them, but there really is no need for him to be in there. He's already paid his respects to Hagrid's sorrow during the exams and to join them during an emotional time would be disrespecting them. Matthias barely even knows Hagrid, and Hagrid, him.
Mathias sighed, and sat down on the patch of grass instead, occupying himself by the sight of Buckbeak stomping around in his little area awaiting his death. Amidst the almost serene silence of the late afternoon, Matthias head the sound of breaking twigs from his right. Matthias immediately looked over, getting a little annoyed by these small sounds that never really mount to anything, and finally saw a figure disappear behind the trees.
Matthias stood up in alert, and instinctively pulled out his wand. He will probably die from this stupid choice but... One more quick glance down Hagrid's hill and into the forest, Matthias made a decision to investigate the source instead. He walked towards the edge of the forest and scanned the area. "Hey!" he shouted through cupped hands. "Is anyone there?" Only silence responded to him.
Frowning to himself, Matthias mentally noted this to be the worst decision he's ever done this year; and he's had plenty. Despite this, he still stepped inside the forest grounds, looking around for a figure he mostly definitely saw.
"I know you're here," he called again. "Come on out, I promise I won't hurt you." He heard the sounds of dry leaves cracking under someone's weight towards his right and turned his direction there. He still didn't spot anyone. Typical. "I just want to talk," he added softly.
When the person still didn't respond to him, Matthias slowly approached the part of the forest which had a large mass of dry leaves scattered about. A terrifying thought suddenly sparked at the back of his mind and stopped – Sirius Black.
As Matthias approached a tree with the most amount of leaves around its roots, he tightened his grip on his wand and heavily wished that the person he saw earlier is not Sirius Black. With a deep breath and a prayer, Matthias stepped around the tree, his wand raised and ready to fire a spell. To his surprise, there was no one there.
Matthias lowered his wand and looked around, confused. He's fairly certain the sound came from here. "Seltsam…" he mumbled under his breath to looks over his shoulder, skeptically. A soft breeze brushed past his hand and Matthias looked back on the empty space behind the tree, mind racing with questions.
Was he only imagining things? No. He can't possibly be. He saw something run towards the forest, he's certain of it. Matthias looked at his hand and touched it in deep thought. "Unsichtbar" – something invisible.
Accounts of his time with Theodore, and Malfoy's story, in Hogsmeade, suddenly came to mind. They all remember seeing something or someone with an alleged ability to become invisible with Ron and/or Hermoine on two separate occasions. Theodore said he felt a brush of fabric touch his arms when they passed by Ron and Hermoine on the way to the Three Broomsticks. Matthias saw Ron carrying three Butterbeer's. The third jug then magically disappears during their stay in the pub, only to reappear after an invisible figure forced itself out of the pub.
Then there was Malfoy's story, wherein he mentioned Harry's appearing beside Ron without seeing the Golden Boy anywhere near the latter. And now, Matthias felt the same brush of fabric Theodore did. Looking back at the same spot earlier in thought, Matthias reached out and unexpectedly grabbed only at thin air. He scoffed in disbelief and shook his head.
He's only heard of stories, but he knows Invisibility Cloaks exist. They are one of the rarest magical items around but they're not impossible to obtain. That's the only possible explanation for their invisible man, because he doesn't think Harry, or even Hermoine, is capable of casting a perfect-grade Cloaking Charm anyway. Not at their level.
This brings up a new question however. Who the hell was using the Invisibility Cloak when all three Gryffindors, who are quite possibly the only people aware of its existence, is currently in Hagrid's house?
Matthias cries and ruffles his hair in obvious irritation. He's not very good with speculation and secretly wished Theodore was here with him to help him piece things together. Whoever it is using the Invisibility Cloak, he hoped it was a friend and not a foe.
Matthias cast a quick Lumos unto his wand as his surroundings slowly fell into darkness under the evening and made his way back up the hill. His thoughts plagued with who might possibly be using that Cloak and why.
"What are you doing here?" Ron hissed while he cradled a malnourished looking rat in his hands.
"Sending my condolences."
"We don't need your–"
"Ron, please," Hermoine begged. "Not right now, Buckbeak's about to be–"
Ron's features softened at the sight of a sorrowful Hermoine and held his tongue for her sake. He glared at Matthias, who avoided his gaze, and said, "You leave us alone after this. You got that?"
Matthias nodded. He had no intention of fighting with Ron today, and he's fairly sure the latter didn't want to either. At least, not right now. Matthias suddenly regretted coming back here. He should have just retreated back to the common room after his brief mystery in the forest.
The clock tower begins to toll loudly and four shadows appeared from the cabin. Dumbledore speaks briefly, looking around his companions, before nodding to himself. The executioner disappears from a low stand of trees, and while they couldn't see the happenings behind the pumpkin patch, they kept their eyes set on it.
There was a long suspenseful silence that lingered in the air as they waited for the axe to drop. And after what seemed like forever, the sound of a sickening chop echoed through the air. Crows soared high into the air, cawing away in lament of the newly departed.
Harry and Ron stared at the trees in numb disbelief. Matthias closed his eyes and sighed at their loss. Hermoine bit her lip and buried her head on Ron's shoulder. Ron tried to comfort her by putting an arm around her, but suddenly shouted in alarm.
"OW!" Ron winced and unintentionally dropped his rat on the floor. The dying rat scampered away. "He bit me!" The red head turns to run after his rat that was streaking off into the distance.
"Ron! No!" Hermoine shouted as she ran after him. Harry and Matthias gave chase from behind. When they reach the top of the ridge, Harry and Hermoine fell back, looking distraught at the sight of a tree.
Matthias kept running, raising his wand to immobilize the rat but found it hard to target its feeble form on the ground.
Ron dived to catch the rat and whispered for it to calm down.
Matthias fell in line with the ginger and said, "That was some bloody catch, mate." He offered to take the rat off his hands, but Ron merely glared at him. The Gryffindor remained wary of his actions.
"Ron, run!" shouted Harry.
Matthias looked over his shoulder and his mouth dropped in horror, right behind Harry and Hermoine is an enormous jet-black hound with sullied fur and its teeth bared dangerously whileit growled aggressively at them.
Ron shakenly lifts his hand to point at his breathing hitched. "HARRY! RUN!" he screams.
Harry eyes shift behind him. The hound, growling furiously at the spectacled Gryffindor, barked and bounded towards him ferociously. Hermoine pushed Harry out of the way and ducks under her arms. The dog leaps over them, and continued running towards Matthias and Ron, who wouldn't stop screaming.
Matthias flicked his wand towards the hound, but was unsuccessful in throwing it back. The hound expertly dodged the Knockback jinx and leapt over Matthias too. There was a loud snap and the sound of breaking bones, then Ron's voice, raw, and dry, screamed even louder.
Ron desperately clawed the ground for anything to hold while crying for help.
Matthias lunges for Ron and grabs his outstretched arm. He struggles against the hound's strong pull, screaming as the latter seemed to overpower him. Ron was beginning to slip in his hands.
"Matthias if you let me go, I swear I'll –AHHHHH!"
"Ron!" Matthias cries as the red head slips out from his hands and is dragged under a tree.