BOOM! RRFF

Chapter 37 - At the Three Broomsticks

"For weeks you carry around this book..."

Adie chipped in.

"Practically sleep with it!"

"...yet you have no desire to find out who he is?"

"I didn't say I wasn't curious. And I don't sleep with it!"

Ron butted in.

"Well it's true. I like a nice chat before I go to bed. Now all you do is read that bloody book. It's just like being with Hermione."

Adie chuckled. They were walking into Hogsmeade and all the way Hermione had been ranting about the Half-Blood Prince.

"Well I was curious, so I went to-"

All three of her friends finished the sentence.

"The library."

"And?"

Hermione looked at Harry.

"And nothing. I couldn't find any reference anywhere to a Half-Blood Prince."

"There we go. That settles it, then."

Up ahead, they could see Professor Slughorn talking to Professor Flitwick. Harry suddenly announced.

"Anyone fancy a butterbeer?"

Soon they were walking into the warm, cosy pub. Harry directed them to a table and then asked his friends to sit next to him. Adie frowned, but sat next to Hermione whilst Ron sat next to Harry. A waiter came over to take orders.

"Four butterbeers, and some ginger in one and cinnamon in another, please."

The waiter nodded, then vanished. Over the hubub, Slughorn's voice rung very clearly over everything else.

"Oh bloody hell."

They all looked to where Ron was glaring. Ginny and Dean were sitting in the corner, holding hands.

"Slick git."

"Honestly Ronald, they're only holding hands."

Adie shook her head.

"Nope, that's not all they're doing."

Hermione glanced over again.

"Ah. And snogging."

The waiter had come with their drinks. Ron looked round.

"I'd like to leave."

"What? You can't be serious?"

Ron leaned forward.

"That happens to be my sister."

"So? What if she looked over here and saw you snogging me? You expect her to leave?"

Adie raised an eyebrow, so high that it reached her hairline. Ron was staring at Hermione, who was now awkwardly sipping her foamy drink.

"Harry, my boy."

Slughorn had spotted their table. Harry waved.

"Hello sir. Wonderful to see you."

He stood and shook the professor's outstretched hand.

"And you. And you."

"So what brings you here?"

Slughorn chuckled.

"The Three Broomsticks and I go way back, further than I care to admit. I can remember when it was One Broomstick."

His hand tilted and suddenly the contents of his pint had spilled onto Adie and Hermione.

"All hands on deck Granger..."

He didn't even notice Adie, but turned back to Harry.

"Listen my boy, in the old days I used to throw together the occasional supper party for the select student or two. Would you be game?"

Harry nodded his head. Ron looked over at Adie, who was still fuming that Slughorn hadn't even acknowledged her.

"I'd consider it an honour sir."

"You would be welcome too Granger."

"I'd be delighted."

"Splendid. Look for my owl."

He turned to Ron.

"Good to see you, Wallenby."

As soon as he left, Ron smacked Harry's arm.

"What are you playing at?"

"Dumbledore's asked me to get to know him."

"Get to know him?!"

"Dunno. But it must be important. If it wasn't, Dumbledore wouldn't ask."

Hermione was polishing off her drink. She had foam over her top lip, which Harry and Adie attempted to hint to her subtly. Ron, in the end, pointed it out.

"Got a little bit..."

Hermione quickly wiped it away, highly embarrassed. After that awkward moment, the four friends finished their drinks and left the pub. Hermione dawdled ahead, whilst Adie, Ron and Hermione walked behind her.

"Harry."

"What?"

"Did you hear what she said back at the pub about me and her snogging?"

"As if."

Adie chuckled and walked forward with Hermione. All this talk of couples and snogging, however, had made her miss George all the more. She did wonder if he had meant to say it back, but the thought of facing him and asking terrified her. She looked up as someone screamed.

Leanne, a girl in their house, was standing over Katie Bell. The girl was collapsed in a paralyzed state on the floor.

"I warned her. I warned her not to touch it!"

All five of them watched in horror, as Katie's body was dragged side to side, jerking her limbs roughly. A force thrusted and pulled the limp girl high into the air, her head hanging back lifelessly. Then suddenly it was gone and she crashed to the snowy ground, twitching.

"Don't get any closer. Get back, all of you."

They turned to see Hagrid marching towards them. He brushed past and tenderly lifted up Katie, cradling her in his arms. Harry looked down and edged towards the package Katie had dropped. Hagrid barked.

"Don't touch that, except by the wrappings. Do you understand?"

The group nodded and Harry pulled the covers to reveal a dark necklace. It was making clicking and whispering noises and soon they had had it brought to Professor McGonagall. As their head of house, it was her job to deal with this.

"You're sure Katie did not have this in her possession when she entered the Three Broomsticks."

Leanne looked at her.

"It's like I said. She left to go to the loo, and when she came back she had the package. She said it was important that she deliver it."

McGonagall looked at the girl.

"Did she say to whom?"

"To Professor Dumbledore."

"Very well. Thank you Leanne. You may go."

She left, and then it was just Ron, Hermione, Adie and Harry. Their professor sighed.

"Why is it when something happens it is always you that I see?"

"To be honest Professor, I've been asking myself the same question for a while now."

Adie smirked at Ron's comment.

"Oh Severus."

They turned to see Snape, standing at the doorway. He'd come to assess the necklace.

"I think Miss Bell is lucky to be alive."

Harry spoke.

"She was cursed wasn't she? I know Katie. Off the pitch. She wouldn't hurt a fly."

McGonagall nodded.

"Yes she was cursed."

"It was Malfoy."

Everybody looked at him.

"That is quite the accusation, Potter."

Snape glared.

"Quite. Have you anything to support that claim."

Harry glared back.

"I just know."

Adie rolled her eyes. Worst answer ever.

"You just know?"

Snape mocked Harry for a little bit, completely dashing his claims against Malfoy. McGonagall addressed the group.

"I suggest that you all return to your dormitories, quietly. All of you."

Adie patted Harry's arm as she passed him. They all walked back to the common room, in silence. As soon as the passed through the portrait hole, Harry muttered.

"I'm off to bed, night."

TTFN (one more to go for today :D )