Detention

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Truth be told, detention sucked. Filch had Harper and Malfoy cleaning up after Hagrid's magical creatures. Hippogriffs tend to leave quite a large mess, and they soon found out.

"Aw, c'mon, Mr. Filch," whined Malfoy.

"Shut up, an' work!" screeched Filch. In the background, Hagrid helplessly shrugged his shoulders to Harper.

It seemed like ages before either Harper, or Malfoy spoke.

In the forest something broke a twig, classic. Then there were steps, then rustling.

"Hear that, Skys?" whispered Malfoy, mischievously.

"Shut up."

For a while Malfoy enjoyed the mysterious object coming towards them. But when the object reached the edge of the forest, his enjoyment turned to fear. Malfoy could see the shadow coming closer; he could even hear the being's breathing.

"Uh, Skys?"

"What, Malfoy?" Harper hissed.

"There's something out there," he said as a shiver coursed through him.

"Of course there is, you stupid git, it's a forest."

"Something's after us. Let's get out of here," he whined.

"No. We can't. Then Filch'll----" a dark hand cut her off.

"HAGRID!" Malfoy yelled as he ran in the direction of Hagrid's hut.

"What, Malfoy?" growled Hagrid. Then he plucked Malfoy off the ground. Malfoy told what happened very fast. Hagrid dropped Malfoy, and ran to save Harper.

When Hagrid found Harper, right where Malfoy left her, she was slumped against a tree, unconscious.

"Miss Skys? Harper?" he asked

Harper opened her eyes, and grunted. Hagrid smiled and picked her up.

"C'mon, Malfoy. We need to go see Dumbledore." When Hagrid, Malfoy, and Harper reached Dumbledore's office, there were the M.M.P. officers.

"Hagrid, can't this wait? I'm busy," Dumbledore said gently.

"No, sir, we've got a bloody prowler, I'd say."

"A prowler?" asked one officer.

"Yes, and he attacked Harper.

"He did?" Dumbledore rose from his seat. "Is she okay?"

"Yes, I think so. He choked her, I think." Harper was sleeping peacefully in Hagrid's giant arms. "It was probably the same person as before," Hagrid said glancing at the M.M.Ps.

"Are you saying we're wrong?" one officer asked maliciously.

"Yes, I am," Hagrid growled. Then under his breath he said: "I never thought I'd stand up for Snape."

"Enough, we're grown men," Dumbledore interrupted. "But, I believe Hagrid's right. In the first place Snape would not have done it, second why would he, and third, it's someone else."

"I don't know his reasons. Only that he did it. Maybe it wasn't Harper he was after, perhaps it was Harry he was after."

"With Harper so near? Now, why would he endanger his own----" Dumbledore caught himself before he let it slip.

"What?"

"Nothing, officer," he said calmly.

"His own what? You are withholding evidence, you know."

Dumbledore sighed, sat down, and said: "his niece. His own niece."

"Niece?"

"Yes," said Dumbledore. Harper began to stir. "Ah, Harper, you're awake again. Good."

"Thank you, professor," said the officer, before he stalked away.