Chapter Four
''You didn't see his face; he was terrified.'' Hermione whispered as she tipped a powdered root into her bubbling cauldron.
It was the first Potions class of the year and Slughorn had decided to begin with one of the most brutally difficult and most dangerous of potions. Amortentia; the Love Potion.
''Now, now, students, as tempting as it may be, none of you are to leave the class with your potion.'' He reminded them with a chuckle as he wandered in circles, occasionally pausing to correct students in their work.
''For reasons I am sure you can understand, it is highly regulated by the Ministry! It cannot, of course, bring true love, but its power can cause deep infatuation to the point of obsession, depending on its strength. Dangerous, dangerous indeed.''
His words trailed off as he reached down to check another student's bubbling concoction. Due to the limited number of students that had decided to re-attempt their NEWTS, the students of all four houses had been crammed into one, united class.
''He probably just walked through a ghost in the dark and panicked. He'd be too embarrassed to admit it.' Harry countered persuasively; his face screwed up in concentration as he shredded the Dondrenicus tambular roots.
Hermione shook her head in silent disagreement and peered at the blackboard to re-read the instructions. The potion was not going well. Between arguing with Harry about Malfoy and overhearing Padma Patil's grating sniffles, Hermione simply couldn't concentrate.
'How could he just leave?'' Padma sobbed behind Hermione as her friend Hannah Abbot gently patted her arm.
''He didn't tell me. He didn't say goodbye. He didn't even-' She hiccupped, and Hermione cringed at the sound, feeling irritated at the rather pathetic display of emotion. ''He didn't even meet me like we said.'' Padma moaned.
''If he'd really been frightened by a ghost he would have calmed down as soon as he realized.'' She whispered to Harry, trying to ignore the girl seated behind her. 'But he didn't. He was still upset when he left.''
Harry shook his head and pursed his lips.
''Í was waiting for over an hour in that classroom.'' Padma wailed, earning curious looks from their neighbours.
Zacharius Smith dropped his knife as her keening wails reached greater heights. Misjudging the source of the sound, he tilted an ear toward the simmering liquid in his cauldron, alarm written across his face.
''Classroom?'' Hannah Abbott asked, confusion entering her soft, comforting tone. ''Why were you waiting-''
''Because that's where we always meet! You know that.''
''But your note? You told him to meet you at -'' Hannah's curious questions were drowned out as Padma lost the last scrap of her composure and began weeping violently into her potion.
Hermione paused in her work as she felt her curiosity stir.
'Miss Patil'?'' Professor Slughorn hastened to the girls' desk, arms wide and thoroughly distressed.
''Ah, perhaps you should go lie down in the hospital wing, dear girl. It's alright, it's alright now. Mr. Finnegan! Please collect a calming drought from my stores for Miss Patil and then accompany her to the hospital wing if you please.''
''Me? But Professor, what about my potion!''
Slughorn glanced at the purple concoction at Seamus' desk and shook his head.
''How on earth? I've no idea how you managed it dear boy, but this Potion appears ready to combust! Rather violently I might add. Did you somehow... oh never mind. Now, off you go.'' Slughorn whipped out his wand and promptly vanished Seamus' work with a single whirl.
Though his face had been inches away from an unintended weapon of mass destruction, Seamus did not seem relieved at the prospect of leaving class with a hysterical young woman. As the crying Ravenclaw was slowly escorted from the room, Hermione twisted awkwardly in her seat.
''Hannah? What were you saying about a note?''
''Oh uh, hi Hermione. Oh, it's nothing. It's just that her boyfriend Aaron Abercroft left last night, and he didn't tell Padma-''.
''He left? Where'd he go?'' Harry said, also turning to face the Hufflepuff.
Hannah's eyes flickered between them.
''He went home. The Headmistress received an owl this morning from his parents. Apparently, they collected him last night. She wasn't very happy about it, they just whisked him away. Family emergency.''
''The note?'' Hermione pressed, inwardly wondering why she was so interested.
''Well, Padma and Abercroft always meet in the Charms class on Tuesday's, so they can uh... '' Hannah blushed. ''But I remember Padma sent him an owl yesterday morning, she wanted to meet at the lake this time instead, at elev- uh, before dinner''. Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red and she glanced involuntarily at Hermione's prefect badge, concerned that she had revealed her friend had been out past curfew.
Harry turned and looked across the room towards the Slytherins. ''Did anyone see him leave?'' He asked adopting a nonchalant tone.
''I'm not sure. Why?''
''No reason.'' Harry said lightly and then gave the blonde girl a reassuring smile which she eyed suspiciously before returning to her potion.
The Gryffindors turned back to their work, flashing each other a look of concern.
''I don't like it.'' Harry whispered as he returned to shredding the roots.
Hermione began chewing on her lip.
'You said Malfoy was bleeding last night.''
Hermione sighed and found herself seeking the pale face of the Slytherin Prefect. His head wound had disappeared, and he was perfectly relaxed as he picked up small vial that a Hufflepuff had dropped. As though sensing their attention, Draco looked up to see Hermione and Harry staring at him. His eyes narrowed, and his smile twisted into a frown.
''We should talk to McGonagall. Make sure Abercroft is alright.'' Harry suggested.
Hermione nodded and returned to her potion; ignoring the rude hand gesture Draco sent in their direction.
oooOooo
It had taken over a week to convince Ron to approach the Headmistress.
''For the last time Ron, we just want to know that he's safe. There's no harm in asking.'' Hermione said as they gathered their books. It was a miserable and rainy Saturday morning, and the library was crowded with students, forced inside by the wet weather. Madame Pince was gaining more silver hairs by the second as she swept through every corner of the library, leaping out from the dusty shelves to furiously shush giggling students.
''Abercroft's fine, you're just looking for trouble.'' Ron whined as they struggled and shoved their way through the tight crowd of students. ''Sorry Dean, sorry.'' The gangly limbed ginger threw a hasty apology as he elbowed his roommate in the ribs. ''Sorry Tuckett'' he added sheepishly as he trod on a foot and they finally broke through the crowd. '' 'Sides, it's Malfoy we should be talking to. If there is anything dodgy going on, he'd know about it.''
''I tried. He won't speak to me. He wouldn't say a word during rounds.'' Hermione huffed as they trudged up the stairs.
Draco Malfoy had always been a thorn in their side, but his stubborn silence during their Prefect Patrol had been more infuriating than his typical taunts and insults.
For the first hour Hermione had pestered him relentlessly, but Draco had remained stubbornly unmoved, forcing her to concede and mimic his silence.
Ron stomped angrily behind Harry and Hermione with heavy footsteps, making his discontent well known.
'You're- You're creating a mystery out of nothin', just like the blasted newspapers. ' He muttered as they came to halt before the large statue that guarded the Headmistress' Office.
''Hermione?'' Harry said, ignoring Ron's protests.
Hermione gave the password and the statue shifted to allow them access to the winding staircase.
McGonagall blinked rapidly in surprise as they traipsed unannounced into her vast office.
The room was largely unchanged from when Harry had entered on the day of the Hogwarts Battle and dove Professor's Snape's memories; re-emerging enlightened at the revelation of his impending death.
Harry shivered and brushed his troubled memories aside.
'Mr. Potter. Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley. How may I help you?' She asked as she rose from her chair.
Harry threw a pleading look at Hermione.
''Headmistress, we wanted to enquire about the Hufflepuff student Abercroft, who was recently removed from Hogwarts.'' She said stiffly.
McGonagall raised a brow.
'Mr. Abercroft left school in the company of his parents. A family emergency. I would ask you not to pry into your classmates' private affairs."
Hermione blushed.
''Did anyone see him leave?'' Harry blurted.
McGonagall's expression turned stern. 'If you must know Mr. Potter, I received an owl this morning from Mr. Abercroft himself, apologizing for his abrupt departure. He is perfectly well.''
''Are you sure Professor? Could someone else have written-''
McGonagall took a moment to watch them carefully, and her stern face softened.
Could we floo them maybe? Just to make sure? I just…'' Harry tugged anxiously at his tie and ran a hand through his dark hair.
McGongall stepped forward to lay a reassuring hand upon his shoulder. ''I understand this may be difficult for you to accept, but you are safe now. We are all safe Mr. Potter… Harry.'' Hermione recognised the recognised the kindness on her face mixed with a deep pity she could not hide.
''You have been through so much. The danger you faced. The trauma of what you have been through-''
Harry leapt backwards, causing McGonagall's hand to drop from his shoulder.
''I.. I'm not...'' Harry turned crimson as he studied the tips of his shoes. Ron hovered by the door, clearly upset he'd been dragged there in the first place.
''Thank you for your time, Headmistress.'' Hermione tugged at Harry's arm, signalling it was time to leave.
oooOooo
Harry spent the next several days locked in a stubbornly foul mood.
Ron and Hermione were familiar with his volatile bouts of temper, and left him in peace, keeping the conversation limited to Quidditch and their classes.
Worst of all, Harry was now carrying the Marauder's Map everywhere he went and poured over it relentlessly.
Hermione felt a pang of guilt whenever she saw him staring at the aged parchment, searching for a threat that did not exist. It seemed that Harry's obsessive paranoia had returned tenfold, and Hermione began fervently wishing she had never mentioned Malfoy at all.
oooOooo
Draco Malfoy stood within the shelter of the trees, gripping his wand so tightly his knuckles turned as pale as his hair. He watched as Harry Potter slipped into unconsciousness, his blood soaking the dirt.
He would be dead soon.
Hermione stood over him protectively. With a desperate wave of her wand, she sent forth a powerful blast.
Impressive.
He couldn't help but admire her skill. But she could only delay the inevitable.
There was a chance that Potter's two faithful companions would survive if they ran, but Draco knew they would choose to die by Harry's side rather than abandon their friend to his fate.
Foolish bloody Gryffindors.
His eyes silver eyes darkened until they resembled thunderous storm clouds.
Earlier that day…
The sun was shining overhead on Friday afternoon as they strode towards their Care of Magical Creatures Class. Thankfully, the prospect of seeing his favourite teacher had finally lifted Harry's volatile mood and his face broke into a beaming smile as he greeted Hagrid.
'Alrigh' there Harry? Have a good week did yer?''
'Hagrid! I'm great. I'm brilliant.'' Harry lied.
''Good, good. Alrigh' there Hermione? Ron? Got a righ' treat for yer today. Just you wait, yer goin' ter love it.'' The half giant boasted, waving to several other students as they arrived and clustered around him.
As with Potions, the Care of Magical Creatures class included all four houses, as few students had chosen to take it during their last year.
'We all 'ere? Ah excellen'. Off we go then, follow me.''
And with no word of explanation, he turned and strode slowly towards the Forbidden Forrest, as his students jogged behind him.
After a short stroll into the edge of the Forrest, they came upon an open field where an enormous, wooden enclosure had been erected.
''Is it more Hippogriff's Hagrid?'' Asked Harry, causing Draco Malfoy (who was a surprising addition to their class) to scowl venomously at the wooden structure.
The students peered through the narrow horizontal gaps between the wooden boards nervously.
'' Er, no, no 'Arry, wouln' want anyone ter be injured. No, 's Grap'orns! A pair of 'em and their young'en.'' Hagrid boasted, causing Hermione to drop her schoolbook and jump backwards.
''What's a Graphorn?'' Ron asked, clearly concerned by Hermione's reaction as she reached down to save her book from the dirt.
''Won'erful beasts Ron, you'll love 'em. Almos' went extinct they did, till Newt Scamander, brilliant wizard tha' one, he saved 'em!''
Without further explanation, Hagrid strode towards the fence gate and spent several minutes removing thick, diagonal wooden beams that kept it secure.
''Hermione?'' Ron whispered.
Several students took Ron's lead and clustered around Hermione, distrustful of anything Hagrid would describe as 'brilliant'.
'Diurnal mammal from the mountainous regions of Eastern Europe.' Hermione spoke quickly and quietly as Hagrid continued removing the heavy boards that kept the gate closed. ''They grow to approximately seven feet in height. They have a humped back and two golden horns, incredibly valuable and used in potions. But what's utterly amazing is their defensive capabilities. Their skin is tougher than a dragons', making them almost impossible to stun. They're known to be extremely violent and... and aggressive...''
Hermione's voice trailed off as Hagrid finally wrenched the gate open and disappeared behind it, leaving it ajar in his wake. The students froze in a huddled bunch, clutching their wands in sweaty hands.
Several tense minutes passed. Finally, they heard Hagrid's voice through the fence.
''Ge' back now. Ge' back. Won' be a momen' and yer can have 'im back.'' Hagrid's mountainous backside appeared as he struggled backwards through gate, thick, taught ropes grasped in his giant hands.
''Harry, Harry I migh' need yer ter close the gate behine me'. Hagrid puffed.
The Boy With A Death Wish raced to the fence gate. With a final heave of strength Hagrid stumbled through the gap and Harry shoved the door closed, wasting no time to grab one of the enormous wooden boards at his feet and slipping it across the bars. Harry completed his work just in time as a great weight was thrown against the boards from the inside of the enclosure, making the wooden structure groan at the impact.
''Well then. here yeh 'ave it! A baby Grap'orn! Hagrid boomed proudly, gesturing to the animal covered in ropes by his side.
The beast stood roughly four feet in height. It was mostly grey in colour, but with a mottled, purple tinge. It's skin looked tough and was slightly wrinkled. Two long, sharp golden horns jutted out from the head and it stood on large, four-thumbed feet. Lastly, dangling from its mouth were-
''Tentacles, Eugh!'' Padma protested in disgust.
''Brillian' aren'' they!'' Hagrid said, gazing at the beast affectionately which stood eyeing them all, draped in Hagrid's ropes, the ends of which were held loosely in his hands.
''Uses 'em ter gather food inter their mouth. Now we won' keep 'im long, 'is parents won' like tha' '' Something slammed heavily into the fence once more, and it shuddered violently. ''so gather roun' and get a good look at 'im.''
As Hagrid began explaining the many incredible uses and magic properties of the animal's horns, Harry made his way back over to Ron and Hermione.
''Bloody 'ell. You alright Harry?
''I'm fine, Ron. ''
Once Hagrid had finished gushing over his new pet and deposited it back within the wooden enclosure, firmly locking the gate behind him, he announced to the class that they would be gathering food for the Graphorns; specifically, the purple roots of a particular shrub that grew on the edge of the forest. ''It's their favourite treat!''
Relieved that they would no longer be faced with the dangerous Graphorn, the students quickly sorted themselves into small groups and departed as Hagrid reminded them all not to wander too far into the tree line, and to return before dusk.
After a long afternoon digging through shrubbery Hermione and her two best friends returned to the enclosure sweaty and covered in dirt just as the sun began to set.
''Thank Merlin that's over, I'm starving.'' Ron said, holding a large wooden basked filled with the product of their hard work.
''I'm too tired to even go flying tonight.'' Said Harry, who was wrestling small twigs from Hermione's tangled hair as they went.
They paused as they reached the center of the open field.
''Where's Hagrid?'' Hermione asked, wincing as Harry dug through her curls.
'I'm never going to get these out Hermione. You'll just have to shave your head.''
'Er – where is'' Ron trailed off he turned slowly in a circle. ''…anyone?''
There was a deep, creaking groan and the three war heroes spun.
Ron gave a deep relieved chuckle. ''It's just the gate.''
'Ron.' Harry said in a low voice. ''It's open.''
Before they could move, an enormous silhouette appeared in the frame. The adult Graphorn was easily seven feet tall and nine feet long. The beast stepped forward, it's shoulders brushing both sides of the opening.
''Don't. Move.'' Hermione whispered. There was nowhere to run.
The beast pawed the ground, staring directly at their huddled forms. As it tossed its head; its sharp golden horns caught the last glimmer of sunlight that sank below the distant mountain ridges.
With a guttural roar, it charged.