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The Horrifying Howler

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I starred down in horror at the scarlet envelope that a tawny owl had just dropped in front of me. "Why do I deserve this?" I muttered darkly. "How cruel, how heartless..." However, there was no time to despair, I had to run! Quick as a flash, and with an expression of pure trepidation, I bolted from the Great Hall, holding the Howler in front of me as if it were a bomb about to explode. Suddenly, it burst, and the halls resounded with the deafening voice of my mother: "I don't know what you were thinking, flying that car to school, once was enough, and this time in plain daylight, anyone could have seen you, and there have been some muggle sightings of what they thought was a flying car; no doubt you! I don't care what your excuse was: that the gate to the Hogwarts Express was closed, which is nearly impossible, but even if it was, you should have just told someone that it was, rather than risking your father's job and being expelled from school, and you're lucky you weren't! And as if that wasn't enough, you even managed to run the car into the Whomping Willow, and loose it in the Forbidden Forest, where it's no doubt running wild by now. You could do with taking a leaf out of Percy's book, or you'll end up like the twins, always in trouble. I hope this has taught you a lesson, and I don't want you to come crying to me about how I embarrassed you, because I could have put far more in this letter!" Utterly miserable and defeated, I ripped up the Howler, which had certainly done the damage that it was supposed to, and headed back to the Great Hall.

"Do you think they won't recognize me if I wear a bag on my head?" I asked my friends, doing my best to hide my face. I knew for sure the Slytherin's were going to have a field day, and wouldn't quit harassing me with the event for quite some time.

Parents sure do know how to spoil your day. I was unfortunate to receive a Howler, the ultimate in punishments--and the worst of it was yet to come.