We got a super long chapter today and I couldn't find a way to split it. This is actually one of my favorite chapters and I got the idea during my French class last semester. Nothing in my French class happened to make me think of it, it just appeared for no reason at all and I love it.
"HERMIONE!"
"What?!" Hermione snapped, looking up from Neville's potions essay.
Neville jumped, knocking a bottle of ink off the table. Without looking, Hermione grabbed it and set it back on the table before it could crash on the floor, but she couldn't be thrilled with the slick move since she was now in a glaring match with Ron.
"That orange beast you call a cat tried to kill Scabbers," he snarled. "Again."
"He's a cat, Ron!" said Hermione, passing Neville's assignment back to him. "What do you want me to do? Put him on a leash? Where is he now?"
"Threw him out."
"The window?!"
"No! Not the window," said Ron, pointing to the portrait hole.
Hermione groaned and stood up, abandoning her things. Now she had to go on a hunt for her cat. It was a big school and more than likely Crookshanks had gone off to hunt mice and rats somewhere else. Out in the hallway, she pulled up the hood of her favorite sweatshirt and stuffed her hands in her pockets. Being so far up North meant that it got really cold, really fast and the stones of the castle didn't retain heat very well. Unfortunately, the wards didn't cover that when their runes were carved into the anchor stones underneath the school.
"Crookshanks!" she called. "Pss, pss, pss, pss! Crookie! Where's my kitty?"
An hour later, she ran into Cedric who had a school map and was wearing his school robes and prefect badge.
"Hey, Hermione," he said. "It's almost curfew."
"Oh, yeah," she said. "I know. I'm just looking for Crookshanks. Ron threw him out."
"I can look for him on my route tonight," said Cedric. "Belle got out, too."
"Ah."
"Yeah, so… I'll walk you back to your Common Room," he said. "Haven't seen you much since your Self-Defense lecture."
"I know, I know." She rubbed her temple. "I've been so busy."
"I understand," he said, nodding in agreement. "I'm already busy studying for O.W.L.s. I really want to do well. Plus being prefect and Quidditch Captain is booking up my schedule pretty fast."
"Trust me, I understand," she said. "I'm excited for Hogsmeade tomorrow. Definitely going to take a break for that."
"I'll be sure to give you the grand tour," he said. "Show you the highlights."
"No, it's okay. You don't have to," she replied. "I'll explore with Harry and Ron."
"I don't get to see you that often anymore," he pressed. "I don't mind. I get to see my other friends every day."
A high screech echoed down the hallway interrupting their conversation. Hermione stiffened and automatically grabbed onto Cedric's hand. He looked down at her questioningly. Embarrassed, she let go.
"Sorry."
Cedric chuckled and drew his wand. "It's okay. Can I get some light?"
Hermione formed a bluebell flame in her hand and the two carefully crept towards the screeching sound. It probably wasn't the best idea, but worst-case scenario it was Peeves pulling a prank. Cedric opened the ajar closet door the rest of the way. The two teenagers peered inside and exclaimed loudly before slamming the door shut.
"Found our cats," said Hermione.
"No kidding."
"What are you two doing out here?" Percy Weasley came striding down the hall, his Head Boy badge flashing on his puffed-out chest. "Diggory, you're supposed to be patrolling the hallways."
"I am, Percy," said Cedric. "I was just escorting Hermione back to her Common Room when we heard a strange noise."
"A strange noise?" said Percy. "You should've gotten me."
"Well, the walkie-talkies aren't ready yet," said Cedric borderline sarcastic.
"What's a walkie-talkie?"
"Egh, never mind. The noise isn't anything to worry about."
"I'll be the judge of that," said Percy, haughtily as if the noise was just a cover for breaking the rules.
"Our cats are having sex, Percy," said Hermione. "It's none of your concern—"
Loud meowing and scratching came at the closet door.
"I think they're done."
"Could you make this anymore awkward?" said Cedric, laughing at the weirdness of the situation. He opened the door and picked up both cats by the scruffs of their necks. "Here's proof, Percy. Come on, Mimi, I'll take you back."
"You certainly will not!" said Percy indignantly. "Come along, Hermione."
Hermione made a face and took Crookshanks from Cedric. She tried not to think about what just went on in that closet as she held her cat under her arm like a carpet bag.
"See you tomorrow, then," she said.
"See you tomorrow."
—
Their first trip to Hogsmeade was on a Sunday. Halloween to be precise. It was an unusually beautiful day, probably the last sunny day for a while. Even though it was cold, everyone was eager to soak it in before the seasonal depression hit. The first and second years were all either gathered in the courtyard or hanging down by the lake playing games or just talking.
Harry was practically bouncing with excitement. Probably because he thought that he wasn't going to get to go. Even so, Professor McGonagall was hesitant to take his permission slip what with Sirius Black being on the loose, but she refused to be the one to douse his happiness.
While they were waiting, Lavender was crying about her pet rabbit dying.
"He was just a baby," she sobbed.
"I'm so sorry, Lavender," said Hermione sympathetically. "I know how it feels to lose a pet."
"I should've seen it coming," she continued through her tears. "Professor Trelawney said something like this would happen."
"She told you your rabbit was going to die?" said Hermione incredulously feeling rather ticked at the mention of the fraud. "That's horrible."
"Well… no, but she told me that something bad was going to happen."
"But… but you couldn't have expected—"
Someone flicked her ear and she snapped her head around to see Cedric. He made a cutting motion across his throat with his hand letting her know that she should just stop talking.
"I— Er— Never mind. I'm sorry about your rabbit," she said.
Lavender and Parvati didn't seem to quite believe her but dropped the subject as the carriages arrived pulled by the Thestrals.
"Why'd you flick me?" she whispered to her friend.
"I know you weren't intending it, but you were sounding rather heartless," he said frankly.
"Oh."
True to his word, Cedric rode with Hermione in the carriage down to Hogsmeade village. It seemed rather dully colored, but she could imagine that it was beautiful in the summer or around Christmas.
"You really love that sweatshirt I got you, don't you," said Cedric, noting that she was yet again wearing the red 'I'm Booked' sweatshirt she was wearing last night.
"I'll wear it until it doesn't fit me or is worn through," said Hermione, flopping a sleeve at him.
"IT'S A GRIM!" Parvati shrieked upon exiting her carriage.
Hermione's head snapped toward a big, black dog lingering by the end of High Street. He cowered a moment and whined.
"Puppy!" she cried happily.
"Wait, Hermione," said Cedric. "It could be feral."
Hermione pursed her lips and, instead, squatted, holding out her hand. Some stared at her incredulously, but most went about their business not interested in watching a crazy girl make kissy noises at a stray dog.
"Come here, puppy!" she cooed. "Pup, pup, pup, puppy."
The dog slowly made his way over to Hermione, pausing and sniffing the ground a couple times. Finally, he stopped just within arm's reach and sniffed her hand with loud, wet snuffling sounds.
"Good—" Hermione craned her neck to check. "Boy! Good boy!"
The dog broke into a grin, his tail wagging vigorously and allowed himself to be pet.
"Come on guys," she said, looking over her shoulder. "He's friendly."
Cedric smiled and patted the dog on the head.
"Wonder if he's trained."
"Let's see," said Hermione. She snapped her fingers once. "Sit boy!"
The dog sat.
"Lay down!" He did so. "Up!" He stood up. "Shake." He shook his body off flinging off clods of dirt and grass.
"Smart ass," Hermione scoffed. She smiled and stood up. "He needs food. Look at how thin he is. Poor baby."
"You can probably get something for him from the Three Broomsticks," Cedric suggested.
"Good idea. Is there a pet shop around here? He needs to be brushed. All that matted fur could tear his skin."
"Hermione, you can't bring a dog into the castle," said Ron.
"Well, I can't leave him out here starved and neglected either!" Hermione shot back before going into baby talk. "I can feed him and tidy him up a bit. I bet Hagrid would take him as long as Fang is okay with it. Right, boy? We gonna get you so pretty!"
The dog wagged his tail so fast it was wiggling his entire butt.
"Well, Fang is pretty friendly," said Harry brightening up. "We should name him!"
"Not you, too," Ron moaned.
"What's going on here?" said Lee, approaching with Fred and George.
"Hermione and Harry are trying to adopt this mutt," said Ron. "They're thinking up of a name."
"How about Hog?" Fred suggested.
"Or Warty," George chimed in.
"Don't be mean," Hermione scolded. "He needs… a friendly name. Not a misnomer like Fang or Fluffy."
"How about Snuffles," Cedric suggested.
"Oi, Cedric," Chevonne called. "Come on!"
Cedric opened his mouth to answer but Hermione nudged him.
"You go on ahead," she urged.
"You sure? I promised to show you around."
"Yes. I have to buy you a belated birthday gift anyway. I'll catch up with you later."
"Well… all right." He bumped his fist against hers and caught up with his friends.
"Snuffles…" she mused. "I like it."
Snuffles perked his ears up and spun in a circle as if agreeing that the name was perfect. He paused and looked up at Harry before barking happily and resting his paws on the boy's chest.
"Whoa!" Harry nearly fell back, but Ron caught him.
"I think he chose you, Harry," said Hermione, standing up with a wide grin on her face. "If he marks you then you're companions for life."
"If he what?"
"What if he tries to eat Crookshanks?" said Ron snarkily. "How would you feel?"
"First off, Crookshanks doesn't go after anything except spiders and that tatty rat of yours," Hermione snapped. "Second, Snuffles here is obviously descended from a line of magic dogs. There's a breed… the Crup! They have a forked tail though, but I'm sure that breeders figured out magic puppies like this handsome fellow here. Crookshanks has a similar magical signature and so does that… well… Snuffles here has the exact same magical signature as your rat. Bet he'll live to fifty!"
Snuffles perked up and turned his eyes onto Ron.
"Where is Scabbers anyway?" Harry asked. "Did you take him with you?"
"No, he's been peaky, so I left him on my bed," said Ron. "Made sure I left last so that Neville wouldn't leave the door open and let that orange beast in."
"Oi," said Neville, looking mildly offended. "I'm not always a screw up."
"Let's go," said Hermione. "I want to see Hogsmeade." They walked a few feet and she looked over her shoulder to see that Snuffles wasn't following. She whistled one, shrill note through the gap between her teeth. "Snuffles! Come!"
Snuffles got up and followed them through the village, trotting alongside Harry like they'd been together forever. He was very well behaved and hardly noticeable, waiting patiently outside the shops when the trio would go inside to explore.
"Come on," said Ron. "We have to see Zonko's."
Hermione made a face, able to hear the noisy atmosphere from outside. It was definishely the kind of place that would overstimulate her and ruin the rest of the visit. Instead, she waved Harry and Ron along and went inside the clothing shop with Neville tagging along behind her, there she bought some yarn and a pair of knitting needles. It was always a good time to start a new hobby.
After Gladrags she entered Dominic Maestro's Music Shop next door. Like all the shops it was completely made from wood, but instruments of every kind hung from the walls and sat on tables or the floor. There were all kinds of drums from Conga to Surdos to Bass. There was a Steelpan and Marimbas and Xylophones. A case full of decorative accordions sat against one wall flanked by clarinets, horns, flutes, pipes, and sarrusophones. Behind the glass counter were a number of string instruments like guitars, harps, a beautifully decorated Pipa, and a ukulele with a flower carved in the hole. To top it all off a huge, grand piano sat in the middle of the room playing itself. And then, of course, there was a bookshelf full of sheet music and playing guides.
A record played of a woman's beautiful voice.
"Hello," said a thin man with perfectly coifed black hair. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm just looking," said Hermione. "These instruments are beautiful."
"Thank you. I make them myself," said the man. "I am Dominic Maestro."
"Hermione Granger." She shook his hand and looked at the record player. "I know that song."
"Oh, you do?" he said. "The girl singing it is hardly older than you, you know."
"That's a teenager?" Neville gasped.
"Esperanza," said Mr. Maestro. "Best singer in the Caribbean. She attends Castelobruxo. Lots of talented singers in that family."
Hermione browsed the instruments and ran a hand over a set of congas; she tapped one with the pads of her fingers. She paused and looked over at Mr. Maestro. "You don't mind, do you?"
"Instruments are meant to be played," he said.
Hermione smiled, shook her hands out, and began with a tumbao beat. It was slow at first, but she managed to get it at a fast pace normally used for dancing. After that, she freestyled a bit.
"Wow…" said Neville.
"Brilliant!" said Mr. Maestro, clapping. "Where did you learn that?"
"I like listening to that type of music," she replied. "Learned what it was called from my music teacher in primary school." She abandoned the drums and perused the smaller instruments, mostly just picking them up to examine them before delicately returning them to their stand. Hardly anybody came into the shop except one girl who desperately needed violin strings.
Eventually, Hermione stopped on little clay and glass figurines in the shape of owls and birds. "What are these?"
"Ocarinas," said Mr. Maestro. He pulled out a pretty blue songbird, brought it to his lips, and played out a haunting tune. "All of them work and not just for decorative pieces."
"Neat!" She scanned them, saw one shaped like a badger, and immediately thought of Cedric.
"I'll take that one," she said. "And could you gift wrap it for me please?"
"Ah, who is this for?" Mr. Maestro smiled mischievously and put the ocarina in a lined case. "A boyfriend perhaps?"
Neville tripped over a cymbal causing it to crash loudly into a drum set.
"Sorry," he mumbled trying to put it back to rights.
"Er— no. Best friend. He's my best friend and I forgot to give him a present this year. Nine years of friendship and this is the first time I've forgotten. And I couldn't even find or remember what I originally got him. Then I forgot about it again until now…"
Mr. Maestro chuckled. "Happens to the best of us. One galleon and seven sickles. What house is he in?"
"Hufflepuff." She found her coin purse and paid him.
He wrapped the gift in shiny black paper and tied it off with a yellow ribbon.
"I hope he likes it," he said.
"Even if he doesn't, he's really good at pretending," she replied, sticking the gift in her bag.
"C'mon, Mione," said Ron, sticking his head inside the shop. "I want to get to Honeydukes."
Boys. Go fig.
Hermione waved goodbye to Dominic Maestro and, with Neville, followed Ron and Harry out into the streets of Hogsmeade. A blustery wind blew by and with it was the warm and distinguishable smell of rain. She looked out over the valley and was vaguely aware of how steep a drop there was at the edge of the town. If somebody wasn't careful in the nearby Forbidden Forest, they could easily fall over the edge. In the distance, she could see a menacing wall cloud promising a torrential rain swallowing up the highlands.
"Come on!"
The inside of Honeydukes reminded Hermione of this old-fashioned candy shoppe she saw once in Central London. It was warm, and the air was filled with the heady and delectable scent of chocolate and overly sweet fruit-flavored gelatin. Big barrels full of candies were everywhere and the walls were floor to ceiling filled with treats. A small section was set aside filled with smaller candies to be mixed and matched in pretty glass jars shaped like Nifflers. Little hand-painted signs in pastel colors boasted the many treats the shop had to offer. 'Cotton Candy Clouds! They pour one glass of chocolate milk!' 'Never melt ice-cream!' and perhaps the most interesting 'Robins eggs! Stick one on your tongue and hatch a chocolate bird!'
Students moved around each other trying to pick and choose the sweets of their choice, some going for the tastier choices and others going for the crazy things like Acid Pops and Pepper Imps. Ron and Harry were practically drooling and couldn't decide what to snag first. Hermione herself grabbed a paper bag and wormed her way over to a sign for Tooth-Flossing Stringments 'Floss your teeth while you eat!' She thought that her parents might like them. And then she saw it. Those three little words.
Salt. Water. Taffy.
Hermione grinned as she took in all the flavors. This was fantastic! Last year, Cedric brought her a small bag knowing she loved it, but she didn't realize that there were so many flavors. A bit ashamed of herself for going nuts, she grabbed a mixed bag of the gooey treat. Especially since it was Halloween and she'd practically be having candy for dinner.
Well, actually…
She deserved it! The past two Halloweens sucked, and she wanted to make this one count. Besides, one day of a sugar gorge wouldn't hurt, especially with her meticulous teeth care regime.
As a bit of a joke, she bought a tiny, lumpy cauldron cake and asked for a small candle to stick in it. Mrs. Flume, one of the owners, thought the idea was funny and haphazardly wrapped the cake up in a box which Hermione stuck in her sweatshirt pocket.
"I'm ready for lunch," said Hermione, tapping Harry and Ron on the shoulders.
"We'll meet you there," said Ron. "You go on ahead."
"Oh… o-okay."
"I'll go with you," Neville volunteered.
"Alright, thanks."
Hermione and Neville exited into the cold autumn air and shivered a bit. Honeydukes was so warm it was a bit of a shock to their systems. Snuffles was waiting for them and perked his head; as he began to sniff around, Hermione sighed and shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Snuffles. Harry wanted to stick around a bit longer. Come on, let's go to the Three Broomsticks. I'll see if I can buy you a steak or something."
Snuffles snuffled and whined, but when a long bit of drool fell out the corner of his mouth, she knew she had him.
"How do you know what he's saying?" Neville asked, fascinated.
"Practice," she replied, shoving her hands into her pocket and fiddling with the cauldron cake while her reusable shopping bag bounced against her hip. "Animal language is still a language and they truly understand if you give them the chance."
The Three Broomsticks was warm, cheerful, and decorated for Halloween with singing jack-o-lantern center pieces on each of the tables. The air was slightly hazy from the smoke in the kitchen, but the atmosphere was clean and inviting. Hermione pushed her way up to the counter and waved down Madam Rosmerta, a high-spirited woman in brown leather and a mass of honey curls piled up on top of her head.
"What can I do for you dear?"
"Two butterbeers and do you have a steak or anything?" Hermione asked raising her voice so she could be heard over the din. "There's this stray dog I want to feed. Poor thing is starved half to death."
"I'll see what I can do," said Madam Rosmerta with a wink. "What's the pup's name?"
"Snuffles."
The innkeeper filled two large glass mugs with butter beer and slid them over to Hermione. She paid the woman and gave one of the mugs to Neville.
"Thanks, Hermione," said Neville, turning a little pink in the face. Probably from the warmth in the inn.
"Hey, Mimi!" Cedric waved from nearby.
Hermione grinned and carefully made her way over to his table. He was surrounded by his friends Joanna Goldhirsch, Chevonne Dunn, Lisha Lloyd, Rhetta Hill, Red Ellis, Daven Hughes, and it would seem that Tabatha St. Vincent and Saorise O'Brannaghan were new additions to that group. There was some careful shifting and adding of new chairs so that Hermione and Neville could join them.
"Hey, Cedric," she said, sitting down. "¿Qué lo qué?"
"No mucho. How are you liking Hogsmeade so far?" he asked.
"It's fantastic," said Hermione.
"Find the taffy, yet?"
"… yes."
"How much did you buy?"
"Some."
"Uh-huh, okay."
The older teens went back to their conversation, so Hermione took her first sip of butter beer. It was delicious like melted, foamy, carbonated butterscotch and completely warmed her up inside.
"Before I forget—" she pulled the cake out of her pocket and chucked it at Cedric— "Happy super belated birthday."
The box hit his head and plunked down in front of him, the pink wrapper fell away and the candle lit up with a half-hearted toot before fizzling out. Cedric burst into silent laughter, he'd open his mouth to say something and break down again.
"Gee, thanks," he said when he caught his breath.
"You know that's not your real gift, right?" she said mostly to stop the weird looks she was getting from the others.
"Yes. I know."
She pulled the gift out of her bag and placed it in his hand. He was about to stick it in his pocket for later but Daven stopped him.
"I want to see what it is," he said.
"Er… alright." Cedric glanced at Hermione.
"It's not a gag gift," she assured him. "Promise. Honestly, I forgot what I actually got you, so I saw this and thought of you."
"It happens," he said, chuckling. "You forgot your own birthday, I understand."
He tore the wrapping off and opened the box. "Cool! What is it?"
Déjà vu.
"It's an ocarina," said Hermione. "I don't know if you can play or not, I just thought it was neat."
"Oh, I see!" He turned it over in his hands, blew into the end playing a low note, and chuckled. "My mum had one of these… I'm not sure what happened to it."
"Hey, Mione," said Ron pushing through the crowd with Harry.
There was more shifting and the pushing of tables together. Madam Rosmerta came by with the steak (cooked rare), so Hermione took it and went outside to feed Snuffles. The poor creature looked absolutely thrilled to have such a whole meal and gobbled it up in just a few bites. While he ate, Hermione picked some of the burrs out of his fur and looked for any signs of injury.
"Hi."
Hermione looked up to see Daphne Greengrass standing over her and looking rather uncomfortable. Slowly, she stood up and stared the white girl in the eye.
"If you're here to make fun of me…"
"No! Actually… I never…" she swallowed hard like just the thought of saying whatever it was she was trying to say was painful. "I never thanked you for protecting my sister. From the Basilisk, I mean. She… she wouldn't have been able to outrun it. She has a curse from one of our ancestors and it makes her rather frail."
"Don't worry about it," said Hermione, patting Snuffles on the head. "What's her condition?"
"It makes her weak and light headed," said Daphne, unsure why she was confiding in someone who she wasn't even friends with. "It's a blood condition and some days are better than others."
"Sounds like anemia to me," said Hermione. "Muggles have treatments for this depending on the cause. Vitamin B Supplements or Iron Supplements. Let's see… Iron rich foods promote oxygen blood flow like red meats and spinach and dried apricots. I'm not a doctor though, so I can't diagnose her. It might not be able to cure the curse, but it can potentially alleviate symptoms."
"Okay," said Daphne with a thoughtful expression.
"I'm going to go inside now, but perhaps we can study together sometime."
"Oh! Uh… sure," Daphne smiled slightly. "I think I might like that."
Hermione re-entered the Three Broomsticks and found that her spot was taken by some girl she didn't know the name of who, judging by the way her body was turned and her inclination to giggling, was flirting with Cedric. Rather than fight for it (and ignoring the odd surge of anger), she sat down between Harry and Neville and went back to drinking her butter beer.
"What took you so long?" Harry asked.
"Daphne Greengrass wanted to talk to me," said Hermione as if it were no big deal. Because it really wasn't, at least, not to her. She just did what anyone else would do for Astoria. Well… any Gryffindor at least.
"What about?"
"Doesn't matter."
"Alright," he said. "Well, anyway, I bought a couple things for Roger and Beatrice since they're trying to adopt me and all of you have taken good care of me."
"Aww, how sweet," she said. "I bought them some tooth-flossing stringments, we can send everything together with Hedwig tomorrow."
"Good idea."
They clasped hands and slid their palms apart into a snap. A sibling handshake they made up. Hermione turned to Cedric and found an odd look on his face, but before she could comment, a low rumble echoed through the mountains causing everyone in the inn to quiet for a brief moment before going back to their conversations in a lower volume. The barometric pressure dropped suddenly, causing Hermione's hands to ache horribly. One boy nearby groaned and pressed a hand to his head, obviously feeling the change in pressure in his sinuses. That huge storm in the distance was coming in fast and furious.
"Hey, Granger," said Pansy tauntingly. "Don't go running for cover now."
"Ickle Granger gonna run and cry from an ickle storm," Millicent laughed.
Hermione fought the urge to make a rude gesture or lob a fireball at them, instead she thought of a different concern.
"Ron, Harry, I know he's just a stinky mutt, but could we bring Snuffles up to the castle with us in our carriage? I want to give him to Hagrid before the storm hits."
"I'm sure he's been in the rain before," said Ron.
"And?" Hermione challenged. "Just because somebody faced something before doesn't mean they have to again."
"He's a dog."
"Dogs have feelings and mankind doesn't deserve them," she retorted, crossing her arms.
"I agree with Hermione," said Joanna. "Those cumulonimbus clouds have a green tint to them and that means hail. You can't subject anybody, much less a dog, to that kind of weather."
"Exactly! Thank you, Joanna."
"I think we should," said Harry. "As long as he's still waiting for us."
A strong gust of wind howled through Hogsmeade, causing buildings to creak. There were several shouts of surprise from the street as people's parcels and bags threatened to blow away. It would seem that the storm was blowing in faster than expected. Light flashed blindingly bright, a loud crack of thunder rattled the window panes and was followed by a deep rumbling that lasted more than thirty seconds, cutting into the silence.
Professor McGonagall stood up from her seat in the corner of the inn.
"I believe it is time we head back to the school," she said. "Finish your drinks and make sure you wrap up any last-minute purchases." She stood up and strode out of the building, no doubt to spread the news to other students.
Reluctantly, those at the pub finished their drinks and gathered their purchases before filing out into the streets. Hermione exclaimed in surprise when a particularly strong gust of wind nearly knocked her over. One particularly small boy was lifted up into the air and quickly pulled down by his friends. Hermione whistled sharply through the gap in her teeth. Snuffles immediately ran to her side, sandwiching himself between her and Harry.
In the queue for the carriages, Hermione looked out to the storm. The ominous clouds were flashing every few seconds with bouts of lightning sparking between clouds like ribbons. Thunder would rumble and pop like the world's largest bowl of Rice Krispies. A few people gasped when an ear popping roar of thunder crackled and boomed. Honestly, it made everyone nervous, but she, Hermione, felt particularly uneasy.
"Mimi," Cedric murmured. "Carriage is here."
Snuffles, wearing a big doggy grin at the prospect of being dry, hopped in after Harry, Ron, and Neville. Cedric ushered Hermione into the carriage just as there was a near blinding flash of lightning. When her vision cleared, she realized that she had braced her hands against the sides of the carriage while Cedric was trying to push her in, so he could get out of the just-starting rain.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" Harry asked.
"I-I-I don't know," she said fretfully.
The rain was rapidly picking up, so she went inside the carriage against all reason and doubt. Cedric was the last in, closing the door behind him and slicking his hair back so the water wouldn't drip in his eyes. Hermione hugged herself and began to rock slowly; something she only did when she was stressed. It was a better alternative to banging her head anyway.
"Hogwarts has seen plenty of storms like this," said Ron. "It's okay, it's just a bit of rain."
"How can you say that?!" she screeched with so much hostility Ron scooted farther into the corner of the carriage.
"Mimi, big breaths," said Cedric, resting a hand on her back. "I won't let anything happen to you."
"M-me neither!" said Neville putting on a brave face.
"It'll be okay," Harry added.
Hermione said nothing and pulled her hood over her head, pulling the drawstring tight. It fluffed her hair in her face, the fluff itching her nose, but she didn't care. The torrential rain pounding on the roof of the carriage became white noise. Her vision grew foggy and a sharp pain went through her head. She always got migraines with this weather. Snuffles whined and nosed her hand jolting her out of it.
"Hello, Snuffles," she cooed. "Who's a good boy?"
"He didn't do anything," said Ron. "Except maybe be smelly."
"I didn't realize you hated dogs so much," said Hermione. "And to think Pongo liked you enough to lick your ears!"
"I liked Pongo well enough," said Ron. "But lately, I don't trust your judgment in pets! That killer beast of yours and this mangey old dog that smells like a toilet."
"Ignore him," said Harry, the corner of his mouth quirking into a grin. "It's probably that time of the month."
Hermione giggled holding a hand over her mouth; Neville and Cedric laughed too.
"Hey!" said Ron, ears turning pink.
Another crackle of thunder quickly silenced them. Hermione pulled her hood off and listened. Something didn't sound right. She glanced out the window but couldn't see much except for the lights on the carriage in front of them, only a blur in the haze of rain.
The carriage creaked as another gust of wind blew through and for a horrifying moment began to tip. Hermione cried out in panic. Cedric quickly wrapped his arms around her, holding her in place. Harry, Ron, and Neville scrabbled for a purchase, falling against each other. Snuffles howled as he fell back. The carriage teetered on two wheels for a heart-stopping moment before tipping over the rest of the way. The poor thestral screeched loudly as it slid and tumbled down the muddy hill throwing all kids out of their seats. It rolled several times before sliding thirty feet and coming to a standstill on its door. It was pitch black with only a bit of grey coming through the cracked windows which still wasn't enough for them to see.
When she came to (unsure of whether or not she actually blacked out) Hermione wasn't sure whether to focus on the fact that they crashed or that she was being crushed by four teenage boys and a dog. For some odd reason, she felt a sense of relief when the carriage settled in a patch of mud rather than… well, she wasn't quite sure what would be worse.
"Whoever isn't dead, sound off," Harry groaned.
"Owww, my head."
"Bloody hell."
"I've had worse."
Snuffles whined.
"Get off me," Hermione wheezed which was followed by a chorus of sorries but very little movement.
"I can't see anything," said Ron. "Let me see if I can find my wand."
"Does that feel like your wand?"
"Sorry."
They all exclaimed when the carriage was pushed onto its roof. Hermione heard and felt somebody spit her hair out of their mouth and cough. Her wrist and shoulder screamed in pain, injured when she and the others fell on it. The carriage door was torn from its hinges and Hagrid's hairy face appeared in the doorway. Professor Flitwick was behind him, wand illuminating the interior.
"Is everyone all righ'?" Hagrid asked, sounding panicked.
"I think so," said Harry.
"Okay, out. All of yeh."
Snuffles tore out of that carriage like a bat out of hell and ran around it in a frenzy. He seemed particularly concerned for Harry's well-being. The rain had temporarily let up to a light drizzle, but the sky still lit up with lightning every few seconds making everything look like a film viewed from a faulty projector. One by one, they crawled out of the overturned carriage and stood up rubbing their sore parts. Hermione's neck popped so loudly Cedric was scared that he broke it when he fell on her.
"I-I-I'm okay," she stammered and smiled slightly. "A-All your f-f-fat arses damn near cr-r-rushed me." She looked at the wreckage of the carriage and wondered how they all made it out with just a few bumps and bruises.
"Come along," said Professor Flitwick, ushering them up to the castle. "Get you all dried off and checked over before the feast."
"I'm not missing out on it for anything," said Hermione with a shaky laugh. "It would take vomiting or a coma to stop me."
Hagrid and Professor Flitwick gave her a perplexed look.
"She said she won't miss it," Cedric translated. "She uh… defaults to Spanish if she knows she'll stutter in English. Always been that way."
Hermione nodded and tapped her nose.
They trudged their way up to the castle damp and shivering. Neville slipped and accidentally dragged Hermione down with him into a mud puddle.
"S-S-Sorry," he said through numbed lips.
"Ay, my favorite sweatshirt," she groaned, accepting Cedric's hand to help her up.
"I will buy you a new sweatshirt," said Cedric, in rapid Spanish.
Hermione smiled and wiped some of the mud off her face which only served to smear it more. He'd been practicing.
Hagrid picked up Neville by the scruff and practically carried him the rest of the way back to the castle, so he wouldn't fall again. They were all cold and soaked to the bone by the time they made it back to the castle. Hermione couldn't feel her toes and was shivering as violently as the rest of them. The two professors went on ahead to find Professor Sprout, Professor McGonagall, and Madam Pomfrey.
Filch wouldn't allow the kids to track mud all along his precious floors.
"So, made it out alive, eh Granger?" Draco spat contemptuously. "And Potter! I guess that makes you The-Boy-Who-Lived-Twice! Perhaps they ought to give you another award!"
"Buzz off, bitch!" Hermione spat, snapping her sleeve and splattering him with mud.
"Guess you can't tell where the mud begins now can you?" he said, wiping it off his face.
Hermione gasped. So did Dean Thomas and Blaise Zabini. They knew Malfoy meant her blood lineage, but the way he said it made it sound like a race thing and that was just as bad.
"Take it back, Malfoy!" said Harry, drawing his wand. However, his fingers were so stiff and numb he could barely hold onto it.
"Might want to think about your next words carefully," Cedric added narrowing his eyes.
"Not cool, mate," said Blaise straightening his spine and striding into the Great Hall.
Draco realized he went too far when he pissed off the epitome of Hufflepuff and his fellow Slytherin. Adjusting his sling, which was probably causing damage to his healed arm, he scuttled off.
"Oh, thank heavens," said a pale-faced Professor McGonagall rushing in followed by Professor Sprout. "We saw the wreckage, you all are lucky to be alive."
"Assuming we don't die of pneumonia," said Ron through chattering teeth. He was immediately engulfed by Fred, George, and Percy.
"Saw it from the carriage—" said George.
"—Bloody terrifying," Fred finished.
"You could've died," said Percy, his eyes wide and all pompous demeanor gone as he checked his youngest brother over for injuries. "We almost lost Ginny earlier this year, we could have lost you too. Nearly gave me a heart attack."
Although they fought and teased and constantly got on each other's nerves, the Weasleys really cared for one another. It was easy to see how shaken they were, especially when all their normal characteristics were gone, replaced by fear and relief.
"Why aren't you all in the hospital wing?" Percy continued with a sternness worthy of his mother. "You need to get warm and dry."
"F-F-Filch won't let us," Neville shivered.
"Screw everything, I want to get dry," Hermione muttered.
"What did she say?" Harry asked.
"She said she doesn't care and wants to get dry," said Cedric.
Hermione kicked off her soaked through shoes and pulled her sweatshirt over her head, so she was just in her under shirt; staring Filch right in the eye she wrung it out on the floor and dropped it on the spot with a splat! She shuddered once and ran past Filch before he could try and stop her.
"Eso si que es!" she called over her shoulder.
The boys followed suit, dumping their muddy shoes and cloaks in a pile on the floor much to Filch's horror. They desperately wanted to get warm, so they could attend the Halloween Feast. Hermione ran on her toes, the cold stone like knives on her feet.
"You're insane Hermione!" Ron shouted with glee as his longer legs quickly caught up. "Why can't we see this side of you more often?"
"Ni idea!"
She burst into Madam Pomfrey's office. The mediwitch had a giant stack of warm towels in her arms, Hermione grabbed one and wrapped it around her head. Her hair was going to take forever to dry.
"I thought Filch was making you wait in the Entrance Hall," said Madam Pomfrey, though she seemed pleased that she didn't have to drag everything there.
"Hermione had a different plan," said Harry. "I think we'll all get detention, but it was honestly worth it."
"We crashed in a carriage, I think they'll give us a break," said Hermione, laughing and wrapping herself up in a big, fluffy dressing gown.
"I don't know what you said, but I agree," said Ron.
"Madam Pomfrey, we can still go to the feast tonight, right?" Harry asked.
"I don't know, Mr. Potter," said Madam Pomfrey. "You all are lucky to be in the condition you are after that crash and I don't want you catching cold… Perhaps you should all stay here."
"No!" Hermione protested. She worked her jaw trying to find the words and looked at Cedric, raising her eyebrows asking for help with the explanation.
"Madam Pomfrey," he said. "Hermione hasn't gone to the feast the past two years and I think she's determined to go this year."
"Mmhm!" Hermione pointed at Cedric, pressing a finger to her nose.
"All right," said Madam Pomfrey. "But the first sign of a sniffle and you are back here."
Hermione nodded, bouncing on her toes and flapping her hands. She only got two flaps in before squeaking in pain and clutching her wrist.
She was still mostly running on adrenaline now and her crash later (untimely pun intended) was going to be a doozy.
The five teenagers were wrapped up in clean robes from the laundry, dried off, and given clean socks and shoes from their dorms courtesy of the house elves. Then, and only then, were they allowed to go to the Great Hall for the feast. Hermione had a sling for her arm, Cedric had a couple bandages where glass cut him, Neville had to use crutches, Harry needed his head bandaged, and Ron would need to be careful about turning his head too fast.
The Great Hall was done up like the Three Broomsticks but on an even larger scale. Hundreds of jack-o-lanterns, webs of orange ribbons, and a cloud of bats decorated the hall. The spread was already out, and it looked so delicious and sugary Hermione could already feel the toothache. The tables were piled high with cream-filled puffs, giant golden toffees, gooey caramel apples, candy apples when cracked open were filled with jelly. Little cheese and pretzel broomsticks flew around and marshmallow spiders scuttled about, leaping over goblets and doing cartwheels along massive stacks of peanut butter fudge. She pounded fists with Cedric and went with Harry, Ron, and Neville to the Gryffindor table. Almost immediately they were mobbed with questions.
Hermione filled her plate and bit into a regular gala apple to start off, so she wouldn't feel too guilty later.
"Almost everyone saw the crash," said Seamus. "Thought you were goners."
"Me too," said Neville. "Should've expected it though."
"¿Por qué?" Hermione asked.
Neville paused and realized what she meant. "Well, it always seems like something bad happens around Harry on Halloween. The troll and the— the basilisk attack. And I'm bad luck 24/7. Bad mix you see."
Couldn't argue with that.
"¿Dónde esta Snuffles?" she asked looking around.
No one had an answer.
The feast was finished off with some of the Hogwarts ghosts reenacting their deaths. Nearly Headless Nick's was particularly gruesome and a couple people covered their eyes during that one. The Frog Choir also performed Something Wicked This Way Comes as well as a few other songs.
Sleepy and full, everyone headed up to their dorms ready to go to bed. The storm still raged outside, but it wasn't as scary in the near fortress of a castle. Even though it was twisty and defied architecture physics, it was safe and steady.
But then there was a pileup. People craned their necks to see what was happening. Ginny pushed her way back to her brother, having been one of the first people there.
"The fat lady! She's gone!"
The smiles slid off their faces as Percy shouted for somebody to get Dumbledore. The trio exchanged looks and wormed their way forward to see. Hermione gasped and covered her mouth with her hands when she saw the state of the Fat Lady's portrait.
Peeves cackled as he floated above the painting and shouted taunts at the students. It wasn't until Dumbledore came that his demeanor changed. Dumbledore and the Bloody Baron were the only beings in the whole Castle that Peeves listened to and even then, it was a stretch.
"Nasty temper, that Sirius Black," Peeves cackled.
The firsties started screaming.
"Calm down, calm down!" Percy shouted. "I'm Head Boy, do as I say!"
Hermione pushed her way to the front and faced the younger kids. "HEY!" They turned their attention to her. "Who attended my self-defense class, huh?"
Most of them raised their hands.
"Remember, Sirius Black doesn't have his wand and is severely malnourished," she said. "And we all have the prefects and teachers here to protect us but remember my lessons. Eyes, ears, mouth, and nose…"
"Throat, groin, fingers and toes," they finished, mimicking her spear hand and panther fist.
"Good job," she praised and the firsties relaxed just a little.
"I think it will be best if we send all the students back to the Great Hall," said Dumbledore, calmly. "We'll keep them there for the night while we search for Black."
Hermione found that the first years as well as the second years who witnessed her flinging Lockhart over her shoulder last year were sticking close by as if she could single-handedly protect them from a mass murderer. One even went as far as to grab onto her uninjured hand. She couldn't but she would damn sure try if the occasion called for it.
The Great Hall had over 400 plush purple sleeping bags in place of the long tables, the sweet smells of dinner still hung in the air providing a bit of comfort to the particularly scared.
Hermione, Harry, and Ron dragged their sleeping bags over to a quiet corner and got inside still fully clothed removing only their shoes. Hermione felt weird about not brushing her teeth or doing any of her normal routine. No way was she going to sleep. Plus, poor Crookshanks was all alone in her dorm room with no idea as to what happened.
"Can I stay by you?" Luna asked. "While you have a knack for attracting danger you also have a remarkable ability to get out of it."
"Certainly, Luna," said Hermione, patting the space between her and Ron.
Luna settled down and rested her head in her arms.
"How d'you reckon he got in?" Harry whispered.
"Maybe he apparated," Ron suggested.
That comment irked Hermione. "Am I the only one who's read Hogwarts: A History? Only Dumbledore is allowed to apparate within school grounds."
"Know-it-all," Ron muttered.
"Tonto," she hissed back, then sighed and rolled onto her back. The ceiling was full of stars, including the milky way.
"I've read Hogwarts: A History," Luna whispered. "I think Black must've been shown the way in. Perhaps by a—"
"I don't think even Peeves would let something like him in," Hermione interrupted not having the patience for something outrageous.
"Why do you think Black went to the dorms?" Harry asked. "Certainly he would have known that we were all at the feast."
"I'm asking myself the same question," said Hermione. "Something about all of this makes no sense."
"I agree," said Luna.
"Quiet," said Percy. He'd been making rounds, trying to get everyone to go to sleep.
Cedric came by two minutes later and crouched down.
"There's no sign of him," he whispered. "Sorry, Harry. I even checked the secret passages Filch doesn't know about."
"It's okay. Thanks for telling me."
"Have you tried a homunculus charm on the map to get it to find people?" Luna asked.
"Yes, but it only worked up to ten feet for, like, an hour," he replied. "Applying charms like that is tricky business."
"Worth a try," Ron mumbled into his arms.
"Mr. Diggory," said Snape. "What are you doing? It's lights out."
"I was just— nothing, Professor," said Cedric.
"Perhaps you should get some rest, Mr. Diggory," came Professor Dumbledore's voice. "You searched this castle more thoroughly than anyone."
"Sir, perhaps we should consider other options for protecting the school," said Cedric.
The whispers quieted to hear this conversation.
"We just have to have trust that the Ministry knows what it's doing," said Dumbledore shortly. "Though, I would prefer alternative methods, the Board of Education and the Minister declared the Dementors were the best option."
"But, sir, they're causing widespread textbook case depression and Sirius Black got past them twice. Surely, Aurors—"
"There are not enough Aurors for that job, Mr. Diggory," said Snape through gritted teeth. "The Auror position has decreased significantly in the past twelve years. Are you saying the Ministry should lower their standards?"
"But what about some wards that—"
"How would wards do any good if he is already in the castle, Mr. Diggory," said Snape condescendingly.
"I just thought—"
"I understand and appreciate your concern, Mr. Diggory," said Dumbledore. "You have had a long, taxing day, perhaps it is time you rest like the others."
There was the swish of a sleeping bag being conjured. Cedric dropped it on the ground between Hermione and Luna and laid down face first into his pillow. Hermione rested a hand on his shoulder in solidarity.
"I liked your ideas," said Luna.
"Quiet!" Percy hissed. "I won't tell you again."
Hermione sighed through her nose. The stress of the carriage ride had finally gotten to her and she realized that she could've died. Any of them could've died. But she wasn't going to cry about it.
They were all okay.
And that's what was important.
