Chapter 72: Consider Yourself Lucky
Kir Karab. The name didn't even ring properly, like it had gotten distorted somewhere between Credence's ears and his brain. How could it not have been Finn? It had to have been Finn.
"You told Mr. Hodges it was you," he whispered.
"Of course I did." Finn had straightened himself up and wiped the sweat from his brow, the look of fright on his face quickly burying itself, "It's what friends do. If you had more than one friend maybe you'd understand that."
"You weren't trying to get back at me and Percy?" Credence asked.
"No, nothing like that, stupid. It was an initiation. It was supposed to be Kir's way of getting into the gang. You think I would have botched it as badly as he did if I had been the one doing it? I am almost as good at magic as you."
Percy and Credence shared a look. Both had heard the 'almost'.
"You two were messing with us," Finn continued. "How was I supposed to know the Obscurus was even anything more than some prank you were just using to scare us? You were trying to make an idiot of me. What was I supposed to do?"
"Somethin'. Else." Percy growled. But Credence didn't join in. It really hadn't been Finn. Or… or had it? Finn had had the idea. But he had protected his friend, what was the Obscurial supposed to make of that?
There was a soft shoomp. All three of the boys whirled around guiltily. Standing in the doorway was the tall, disappointed form of Professor Tsalagi. "Well, I guess it would be mistakes all around then," he said.
"Wha - How'd you get in?" Percy spluttered.
"Alohomora exists, Mr. Boyd." Rocky Hodges' voice sounded from the other end of the torn-up room, "And so does apparition."
Despite everything, the three boys shrank together as the two professors closed in on them. Credence's eyes suddenly became aware of just how much damage the Obscurus had done to the room.
"Any chance this could all just be a simple misunderstandin'?" Percy tried.
Rocky folded his arms, "Not one."
Three pathetic-looking Wampuses trudged back through the Sorting Round, down winding halls, and into the Wampus Wing. Rocky led the way, not looking back and maintaining a silence that was unlike him enough to be scary. Professor Tsalagi hobbled with his cane at the end of the procession. When Credence dared to glance back at him once, he saw that the eyes, usually so sunny, look like clouds had passed over them.
Whispers and stares followed them as they trudged. No one really knew what had happened, but three defeated First Years being escorted by two professors was never a good sign. Professor Ro's eyes flashed as they passed her in the halls. She spoke something so low that only Professor Hodges could hear: "I told you."
Most students had left the dining hall by this time and some Wampuses were already milling about in the common room. Kir Karab was near the door, showing Boris and Royal his very first chocolate frog card. Percy broke out of line when he saw him; "I hope you know what you missed. Finn just took a beating for yous."
The No-Maj-born agitatedly glanced between him and the out-of-House teachers who had just entered the room.
"And just to make yous aware," Percy continued, in an even lower voice, "We all know it was you who did the whole Revelio hocus-pocus the night of the party. You should consider yourself lucky. I think Mr. O's got most of his nerves out now." He jerked his head at Credence.
"Boyd!" Professor Hodges summoned. Percy retreated back into line, not waiting for a response from Kir. That was good, because Kir's mouth was hanging open like a broken hinge.
"I thought we had this covered, boys, but let us go over it one more time, shall we? I especially want to talk to you." Professor Hodges turned his eyes on Percy.
Credence was startled into speech: "Not me?"
"No. I am going to save that for Professor Blygull. She has a few things she wants to say to you."
"Professor Blygull?" Credence was getting really terrified now.
"Yes, Professor Blygull. Maybe now you will understand the gravity of what you have done. I am not going to lecture you too hard, Finn, because I think you already got that last year, but everyone listen up. Do not think for a moment that we do not know what happened out there. There are not very many things that can smash up walls like that. Trust me, I have seen it before."
Credence cringed.
"So I would start thinking of some decent and pretty explanations. You are going to need them. Boyd, follow me." The professor turned and made to leave, pausing only until he heard Percy get up. The boy shared a trepedatious look with Credence as he walked backward to the door with Professor Hodges. "It was nice knowin' yous."
"You don't." Finn growled sorely.
"Not you!" the other barely managed to call before he was led around the corner and out of sight.
"You can come with me, Finn. Professor Blygull will be in here soon," Tsalagi said quietly. The eleven-year-old made his way out in front of him, casting one last look into the dorm. The professor too stopped and looked back at the last boy sitting on his bed, "If I had known you would do something like this six months ago, Credence, I might have made a different decision at the trial." He turned sadly and limped out. Credence wished he could say something, wished he wouldn't go. But he couldn't think of anything. Somehow, that last comment stung more than any of Professor Hodges' hard words.
A/N: You might think it is a little random that Professor Tsalagi was right around where the boys were at that time. But remember, he lives in the castle now. What else is he supposed to do in the evenings? When he saw what was going on, he probably apparated to get Rocky, and they both came back to the spot just as things were winding down. That's about it for this chapter. We are almost at the end so seriously, please review!