A/N: Miriam said that she did not remember why Colin did not like Malcolm. If you remember from last year, at the sorting feast Malcolm offered Colin some homemade toffee, and didn't tell him it was made in the Weasley home. As to Camilla, the answer is in this chapter.



CHAPTER 14: THE REALLY, REALLY BAD DAY

Malcolm woke up Sunday morning, and stumbled down the stairs.

"Nice jammies," Ginny said.

He walked back to his room, got dressed, and went back downstairs.

Malcolm trudged out of the common room and made his way to the Great Hall. He had spent a sleepless night of trying to figure out how Dewey got to the school, and failed. Sitting down to breakfast, he looked up to see an owl flying toward him, placing a letter next to his arm. Ron Weasley gave him a dirty look as his pulled his own letter out of the oatmeal. Malcolm opened his letter and read:



Dear Malcolm,

I hope the holidays have treated you well. I know you won't reply, and I do understand. I read about you in the Daily Prophet, and I have clipped the picture of you transforming into an owl. It is in a frame on my night table, and all of my friends are jealous of how cute you are. I've been making an effort, and I am happy to say that the Magic number is now at 103. (I did get it under 100, but Hallowe'en is here, and I owe myself).

Your Loving, Camilla

[I have lost my appetite.]

"Do you always have to be so stuck up," Ron demanded, "Always showing off, with your fancy robes and freak magic tricks. Who cares that you're an animagus. And your brains won't help you in the real world, you useless git." Ron got up and walked out of the Great Hall.

[That was unexpected. I won't wait to find out what the rest of the day is like. It's Sunday, and I'm going to disappear.]



*



Malcolm was napping in the owlery when Hermione and Harry walked in. Hermione gave Harry some parchment and a quill, and he began writing a letter. Then she walked around while waiting for him to finish and she spotted Malcolm. Casting a quick glance at Harry, she turned back and hissed quietly.

"Malcolm, what are you doing here? Go away. Don't let Harry see you." Then she added, "and don't say anything, either."

Malcolm, irritated, flew from his perch and into the rafters. He heard Harry say he was finished with his letter, then heard him tell Hedwig that he had to use a different owl. Malcolm became curious, but neither Harry nor Hermione said anything else. Suddenly, Hedwig landed on the rafter next to Malcolm, and he heard Harry say, "First Ron, then you. THIS ISN'T MY FAULT."

[That was strange.]

Hedwig came over to Malcolm and gave a motherly hoot. To relieve her anger, she then began preening Malcolm's feathers in a thorough and ungentle fashion. Despite Malcolm's best efforts to escape, she did not stop until she had cleaned every feather. Malcolm flew off the first chance he could.

[Do you know what just happened? I was just given the equivalent of a bath by an angry mother. It was not fun.]



*



"How is Malcolm?" Amber asked.

"He's upset about something," EJ said, "but he refuses to get out of bed until Monday morning. He said Sundays are too difficult for him."

"This isn't like him. Maybe we should tell Madam Pomfrey."



*



"I'm fine," Malcolm insisted.

"I'll be the judge of that," Madam Pomfrey said, "When two of your friends tell me that something is wrong with you, I tend to believe them. You are showing a lot of anxiety, Malcolm, and you haven't given me any good reason for it."

"It's just been a bad day," Malcolm said, "I just want it to end. I mean it isn't even lunch time yet."

"Calm down, Malcolm. You have no reason to be upset. If you like, I'll make a note on your report, and Dr. Spencer will discuss it with you."

"Wait a minute. I thought I got out of seeing that doctor."

"She told us she would see you if you had an episode like this," Dr. Pomfrey said, "We only want to help you learn how to relax. You are too nervous."

[It's a joke. I know it's a joke. It has to be a joke.]

"Madam. Pomfrey, I'm just having a really, really bad day."

"I understand, Malcolm," Madam. Pomfrey said as she handed him a small bottle, "I want you to take this . . . "

"Great," Malcolm said, took the bottle and drank the contents. "How long until this sleeping potion works?"

"That wasn't a sleeping potion," Madam Pomfrey said, angrily, "It only relaxes you. Malcolm, you were supposed to take a teaspoon a day, with a glass of milk " She counted slowly, to calm herself, then said, "you don't have to worry. You will enjoy the afternoon. I guarantee it." She gave him a large glass of milk and ordered him to drink. She then ordered him into a bed.



*



"How did this happen, Poppy?" Dumbledore asked.

"It was the Ravenclaw First-Years. A group of them were running though the school and two of them hit a trick step at the same time, and the others barreled into them. By the time I had patched the five of them back together, Malcolm was gone."

"Will he be dangerous to anyone?" Albus asked.

"Just the opposite," Madame Pomfrey said, "He will probably do anything anyone asks of him. He's very suggestible at this point."



*



"You are a truly wonderful person," Malcolm said, as he stroked Mrs. Norris.

"You surprised me, Malcolm," Argus Filch said as he handed the boy another scone. "I never thought you would feel that way."

"But you're right," Malcolm said, "The rules in this school are too lax. No one is willing to take charge. And the one person who is willing is shackled in his own chains."

"My own thoughts exactly," Filch said, "And I am glad that you understand. After the things you have done . . . "

". . .And they were terrible," Malcolm agreed, "If I was in charge, I would have thrown myself out without a second thought."

Argus Filch smiled at the thought that he had finally reached one boy, and taught him respect. In a happy mood, he answered the knock at the door, to find Albus Dumbledore standing there.

"Thank you, Argus. Someone told me they saw Malcolm with you. Malcolm, are you having a good time?"

"Oh, Yes Professor Dumbledore, Sir. Mr. Filch was telling me all of his wonderful plans for Hogwarts when he takes over."

"That's wonderful to hear, Malcolm. Would you like to have some FUN?"

"Yeah!"

"What would really be fun is if we went to see Madam Pomfrey in the infirmary." Albus said in an excited voice.

"That sounds Great," Malcolm agreed.

"You know what else we could do?" Albus said in the same voice, "We could lie down in one of the beds and remain quiet until MORNING!"

"Can we go now?" Malcolm asked, jumping out of his seat.

Dumbledore led the happy boy out of Filch's office, while Argus stared in utter disbelief. "I don't believe what happened. Do you, Mrs. Norris? Mrs. Norris?"

Anger flared in Argus Filch's eyes as he realized that Malcolm had taken the cat with him.



*



"How do you feel this morning?" Madame Pomfrey asked.

"Fine, I guess," Malcolm said, "Why is Mrs. Norris sleeping on my chest?"

"Because you spent most of yesterday telling her she was the best cat in the whole world."

"It was the potion?" Malcolm asked.

Madame Pomfrey nodded, saying, "You may not want to let Mrs. Norris know about that. You have a new friend."

Mrs. Norris opened one eye and saw Malcolm was awake. She moved closer to his face and began nuzzling his cheek. When Malcolm put his hand on her, she began purring.

"I have to get up," Malcolm said as he tried to pull the cat off him, but she had embedded her claws into his robe and would not be moved.

"Just take her with you," Madame Pomfrey said, "she'll get tired of hanging on, soon enough."

"Thanks," Malcolm said sullenly as he walked out of the infirmary.