March
Harry was still smarting about the amount of work he had to catch up on. DA meetings were put on hold, and he couldn't spare any time to play quidditch. Needless to say he would have been in a foul mood if it wasn't Hogsmead weekend again, and he had Sirius's ghost to talk to. Unfortunately he only saw Sirius at night, and as a result, he was constantly feeling tired. However, the depression that had followed him around for the past months was gone, and life felt good for the first time in ages.
"Hermione's going to be late" explained Ron over breakfast. "She had to see Professor Mcgonagall about something.
"Probably extra homework" said Harry rolling his eyes. Harry's injuries from the duel were now reduced to minor aches and pains, or they were until Luna jabbed him in the ribs.
Eventually Hermione appeared, looking irritable
"What took you so long?" asked Ron.
"Nothing you need to worry about" she snapped.
"You know what I think" began Ron. Hermione rolled her eyes. "You need to eat some proper food instead of all that rabbit stuff. Then you wouldn't be so grumpy in the morning."
Hermione looked as if she was about to erupt.
"Did you know that eating fish is supposed to make you really brainy" continued Ron "and that's an animal"
"Well it hasn't worked on you!" retorted Hermione scathingly.
Although the weather had improved, the wind still whipped their hair into their faces as Harry, Luna, Ron, Hermione and Ginny walked across the Hogwarts grounds. They walked down the sweping driveway to the gates whose posts were adorned by winged boars and turned onto the road that led into Hogsmead.
Spring was on the way. The snow had melted and yellow daffodils were beginning to bloom. With the exception of chattering students, the road was silent. As Hogsmead was the only non-muggle settlement in Britain, there were no cars.
"What are we going to do when we get there?" asked Hermione
"Hmm" said Luna dreamily "I could do with a new hat"
"I'd like to go into Gladrags. I need new robes." Said Ginny
Her handed down robes, once black, now grey, were starting to get a bit threadbare. The girls decided that they had better go clothes shopping. They continued walking, the girls talking about new robes, dresses and hats, a subject which Ron and Harry found extremely boring. After five minutes, the narrow streets and thatched roofs of Hogsmead were in sight. The girls said their goodbyes as they reached the outskirts, and headed off to Gladrags.
"What are we going to do?" asked Harry
"What about Zonko's?"
"Do we have to? I think I'm starting to grow out of Dung Bombs & nose biting teacups"
"Yeah, true, but it's a shame when that happens"
"Honey dukes?"
"No. I feel like doing something different. I know !" said Ron quietly, a smile cracking on his face "Fire Whiskey. I've always wanted to try some, but Hermione said no on Valentine's day"
"Yeah, that'll do it" grinned Harry
They continued walking along the high street and into the Three Broomsticks
"I'll get 'em. I look older than you" said Ron as they approached the bar.
"Two Fire Whiskeys please" said Ron, leaning on the bar to Madam Rosemarta.
"I know you two" said replied, appraising them "aren't you Harry Potter and Ron Weasley?"
"Er yeah" Ron replied.
"Then you're too young. How about some Butter Beer instead?"
"Maybe next time" said Ron, disgruntled
They turned and left
"How about the Hogshead?" suggested Harry once they were outside.
"The barman's a bit creepy, but it's worth a go" nodded Ron.
The barman in the Hogs Head refused to let them drink Firewhiskey in the pub, but still sold them a bottle to take away.
"What now?"
"Back to Hogwarts I suppose. I'm not walking around Hogsmead like a tramp"
"A what?"
"Never mind"
It wasn't until much later that evening they were able to sample the Fire Whiskey. The last few students climbed the stairs to their dormitories at just after midnight, but once the common room was deserted, two glasses were poured out. Ron, initially, boiling over with anticipation and excitement, was starting to look a bit apprehensive.
"Cheers" said Harry
They raised their glasses and took a sip. The whiskey was warm and left a smokey after taste. Ron looked relieved that nothing terrible had happened, and took a large gulp.
"Argh" he gasped, holding his throat.
Harry laughed. "You're supposed to sip it"
"How do you know?"
"I've seen Uncle Vernon do it"
"Ahh"
After ten minutes, the glasses were empty, and Harry and Ron were feeling a little light headed but otherwise fine
"Another?"
"Yeah. It would be a shame to waste it!"
Another ten minutes passed, and the glasses stood empty. Now they were starting to laugh, and were in the mood for some excitement.
"Let's go and see Hermy" slurred Ron
"Yeah and let's go and see Luna as well" said Harry, his eyes sliding in and out of focus.
"Yeah. No wait. How are we going to get up the stairs?"
Ron had tried last year to get to the girls dormitory without success; The stairs turned into a slide and an alarm went off.
"I know! We'll fly"
"How? I haven't got wings" laughed Ron
"Broomsticks!"
"Where?" smirked Ron turning around, pretending to be suprised. He was now finding himself extremely funny
"Rooooon!" Harry stumbled over to Ron and embraced his best friend in a rather sloppy hug. "We'll go and get our broomsticks"
"Yeah, let's go!" said Ron turning round sharply and pointing towards the door.
"Don't forget the firewhisky"
"Yeah, and be quiet. We don't want to wake anyone up"
How they staggered through the castle to the broomshed without getting lost was a miracle. The racket they made as they crashed into suits of armour would have been enough to wake the entire castle, not just the sleeping occupants of the paintings that lined the walls, who 'Shhh'd' them loudly. Every so often Ron and Harry would take a swig from the bottle, which was half-empty by the time, the reach the double doors that led into the grounds.
They staggered across the grass, ocassionally falling over, until the eventually reached the wooden broom shed. Ron leant against it, trying to remember the spell to unlock it, while Harry gazed up the sky. The crescent moon was occasionally visible between the clouds, and when it was, a ghostly Hogwarts re-appeared from the gloom.
"Done it" announced Ron triumphantly, opening the door and pulling out their brooms.
"I don't think I can walk all the way back to our tower. Let's fly"
"Absolutely," said Ron, patting Harry awkwardly on the back. "Er, are you drunk?" Harry looked shocked.
"Yessss, I think I am" he slurred.
"Wait. I'm going to get Crabbe & Goyle" said Ron
"Why? Why do we want them to see Hermy-on with us?
"No. I'm going to pay them back for all the times they've said bad things about my family"
"Oh, Okay then. I'll go back to the tower and wake the girls"
"Give me a shot of that whisky before I go". Ron took a mouthful, and dribbled half down his robes. "If Hermy wakes up before I get there, tell her I really really really love her"
"Okay"
"Do you like any girls Harry? Yeah, wait, you like Loony Luna"
"Oy! Don't call her Luna. You better behave yourshelf!" Harry shouted
"Shorry mate. And don't shout" yelled Ron back at him
"Aren't you going to sort out Crabbe & Goyle?"
"I'm going to short out Crabbe & Goyle" said Ron with great conviction, whilst leaning against the broomshed to hold himself up.
Harry mounted his broom, then slipped off onto the grass.
Once they had both managed to mount their brooms, they kicked off and shot across the dark grounds towards the doors. It was good to be riding at night with the mild spring air rushing past, forcing it's way into their lungs, they felt alive, indestructible and reckless. The dark grounds were a blur. The castle loomed ever closer; a towering mass of turrets, jet black against the sky. Harry's firebolt was easily faster than Ron's broom, even though it's path wasn't that straight. He braked hard before the oak doors, and slid off the front of the broom and onto the grass, while Ron howled with laughter.
Harry struggled to his feet and lent against the heavy oak door , which opened slowly.
Once inside, the race was on again. They raced each other through the dimly lit castle, banging against the stone walls.
"Ow, that really hurt" whimpered Ron, catching his foot on something hard. Harry, on the other hand, was feeling no pain what so ever.
Ron narrowly made the turning into the corridor that led to the Slytherin common room.
"Byeeee" he yelled, disappearing into a dark corridor.
Harry turned his broom towards the Gryffindor Tower, and shot through the corridors at particularly unsafe speeds, up the stairs to the girls dormitory, and crashed his Firebolt into a chandelier.
He felt the back of his broom slide round, tipping him off onto the cold, hard floor. The broom hit the chandelier with such force that it exploded, showering Harry with shards of glass.
He looked up to see the Firebolt wedged in the wooden structure of the remains of the chandelier. I'm in so much trouble he thought to himself.
The noise woke up the girls, who came out from their rooms to see what was happening. Harry stood up, swayed, and grabbed the wall to stop himself falling down
"Harry" shrieked Hermione "what's wrong? Are you okay?"
"Ron says he really really really loves you"
"Are you drunk Harry?" said Hermione, starting to realise that Harry hadn't been duelling or attacked and understanding why Harry was falling about so much.
"No" smirked Ginny "he's totally wasted"
"No! I haven't had anything all night." He swayed where he stood, then giggled like a girl.
Hermione shook her head. Who had given Harry alcohol? He could get in so much trouble.
Harry could not fight gravity any longer and fell over.
Hermione and Ginny looked down at The Boy Who Lived, who was now crawling along the ground being The Boy Who Couldn't Find His Glasses. He made it to their feet where he sat up on his knees (glasses on his face, where they had been the whole time) and held his bottle up for inspection.
"Look," said Harry, "Firewhisky! You drink it, and your mouth feels like it's on fire. . . but. . . IT'S NOT! Crazy huh?"
"Yep. Crazy stuff, Harry." Ginny patted him on the head. Harry smiled serenely and passed out on the floor.
"We can't leave him here" sighed Hermione "We'd better get him back to his room"
"I think he needs to learn his lesson about messing with firewhisky first. Wait a minute". Ginny returned a few moments later with her make up kit and applied lipstick, blusher and eyeliner to the comatose Harry.
Sniggering, they grabbed an arm each and hauled him up.
"I wonder what Ron's up to" said Ginny as they dragged Harry down the stairs. "I hope he's being better behaved than this idiot"
"Don't know, but I doubt it. Any way Harry looks so pretty we should leave him in the common room" giggled Hermione.
"Where am I? " asked Harry
"Don't worry, we're here to help" giggled the girls
"Thanks" muttered Harry "I really really like you Ginny. Your like the shister I never had. I like Hermy-ony too, but Ron likes her more."
They dropped him into a chair by the fireplace. His head flopped over to one side and he vomited half into a pot-plant, and the rest went over the floor."
"Remind me never to walk in here with bare feet again," said Hermione, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
They left him there and went back to bed.
Harry was vaguely aware of people laughing, but stayed in the chair until the sunlight was so bright it woke him. He opened his eyes, but shut them again quickly and turned his head away from the light. He felt his brain slop against the inside of his head.
Colin Creavey was taking pictures.
"Merlin H Pendragon. Stop that clicking noise; it's too loud" mumbled Harry
"HARRY POTTER !!"
The voice went straight through him, rattling his brain as it did. He knew to whom it belonged. Whenever he had heard it before, he was in trouble. He opened his eyes slowly, and then shut them again. It was, as he suspected, Professor Mcgonagall.
"Look at me Potter, I'm talking to you"
His eyes opened again.
"Can you explain what happened last night?" she said
"Er no" he mubbled quietly.
"So you don't know how your broomstick ended up stuck in the remains of a chandelier outside the girls dormitory, how a suit of armour was almost destroyed, and why on earth you are wearing make-up"
Harry groaned.
"Mr Filtch also said you and Ronald Weasley were racing around the castle at night on broomsticks" she continued
He groaned again. "Where's Ron?"
Several people laughed.
"Mr Weasley was found this morning, asleep on the Gryffindor table, naked, except for a napkin to preserve what was left of his dignity."
The entire common room burst out laughing, but was silenced immediately when the Professor turned her head sharply to look at them.
"Oh no"
"Yes Mr Potter, Oh yes. You and Mr Weasley are a disgrace to the Gryffindor house. You have both lost 100 points each, neither of you are ever going to Hogsmead again. The headmaster is currently writing to Mr Weasley's parents and your guardians"
Harry groaned. The Dursleys wouldn't care, but a howler would certainly be on it's way from Mrs Weasley.
"Step out of line again and neither of you will be playing quidditch either. You've already missed this mornings lessons, now get up and get yourself downstairs for lunch"
Harry heaved himself up. His head felt as though it was too heavy to lift. He looked around at what appeared to be the entire Gryffindor house, laughing and pointng at him
"And Potter"
"Yes Professor" he said sheepishly
"I want you to wash the make up off that face before you show it downstairs"
"Yes Professor"
"And I don't want this to happen again Potter"
"No Professor. It won't" Harry meant it. At that point he never wanted to drink firewhisky again. Slowly he made his way back to his room where he washed and collapsed on his bed and slept until Ron made an appearance a few hours later.
"Never again" said Ron shaking his head slowly. "You'll never guess what happened to me"
"What?" said Harry, half dreading Ron's story, but still intrigued
"They saw me. All of me. The whole school" Ron sat down hard on the edge of his bed, clearly the worse for wear, and held his head in his hands.
"How?"
"Somehow I got onto the Gryffindor table without my clothes" said Ron thickly
"How did that happen?"
"Don't know, but all my clothes were found outside the Syltherin common room"
"Why?"
"I don't know and I can't remember" said Ron starting to worry "and I'm covered in bruises"
"Yeah me too. Mcgonagall said that Filch saw us racing on our brooms in the castle"
"That could explain it"
Not having eaten since the previous evening they made their way down to the great hall. As they entered the Gryffindor common room, they were greeted by cheering, slaps on the back, and a scowl from Hermione.
"Not another lecture please Hermione" begged Ron "Mcgonagall's already done it, and we're starving"
She hissed and nagged at them incessantly about alcohol abuse, and how people had thrown their lives away needlessly, all through the corridors until they reached the Great Hall and sat down at the table. It irritated Harry, but he knew they deserved it.
Ron was greeted with cheers and whistles from the Slytherin table.
"Oy Weasley, I didn't recognise you with your clothes on!" called Pansy Parkinson loudly.
"Don't fancy yours much" mumbled Harry "looks like a right old troll". Ron shuddered while Hermione tutted.
At least Sirius found the whole episode hilarous; his laughter echoed around Myrtle's bathroom when Harry and Ron told him later that day.
"Your dad and I got completely trashed on Firewhiskey once" he grinned. "Don't remember a thing about it though"
"Bet neither of you ended up on the Gryffindor table" moaned Ron.
"Nope." Smirked Sirius. "Didn't end up wearing make-up either. Is there something you're not telling us Harry?"
Ron and Sirius roared with laughter, which upset Myrtle, and she returned to her U-bend with a resounding splash.
As expected, the howler arrived at breakfast the next morning. Ron saw the crimson envelope as the owl carrying it flew in through the window. The owl landed clumsily among the breakfast bowls and milk jugs, and the envelope start to smoulder. Ron took a deep breath, paused, took it from the owl's beak, and then opened it.
"RONALD WEASLEY AND HARRY POTTER" yelled Mrs Weasley's voice, magnified so that everyone in the Great Hall and surrounding corridors could hear. Harry was quite surprised to find out it was addressed to him as well.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING MESSING ABOUT WITH FIREWHISKY? BOTH OF YOU ARE FAR TOO YOUNG".
Harry thought his eardrums would burst as Mrs Weasley's yells echoed are the hall.
"OWL FROM DUMBLEDORE LAST NIGHT. RACING ROUND HOGWARTS ON BROOMS, AND BEING FOUND STARK NAKED IN THE MORNING".
The Slytherin table was howling with laughter. On the Ravenclaw table Cho Chang was laughing so much, she was in tears, clutching her sides.
"AND HOW DID HARRY GET A MAKEOVER ??"
Ginny looked at her breakfast, while Harry felt as though he wanted to die.
"IF EITHER OF YOU ARE IN TROUBLE AGAIN, THERE'LL BE MORE TROUBLE WHEN I GET HOLD OF THE PAIR OF YOU. YOU'RE WORSE THAN FRED AND GEORGE".
The yelling stopped and the crimson envelope turned in ashes that fell into a small pile on the table. The laughter however continued for some time.
"Ron, " began Hermione once everyone had gone back to their own conversations "Harry told me something on, you know, that night"
Harry looked shocked, he was desperately racking his brain, trying hard to remember what he could possibly have said. Ginny groaned, knowing full well where this conversation was going.
"Watsat" replied Ron spraying his mouthful of toast over the table.
"He told me" she said, taking a deep breath "he told me that you loved me"
Ron looked horrified, and scowled at Harry, who sat there, mouth agape.
They left for their potions class without another word being spoken.
That evening started peacefully; the air was warm and still. The only noises were of the creatures stirring in the forbidden forest. Harry, Luna, Ron, Hermione and Ginny sitting on the sloping lawn under the full moon, discussing their day.
"So how did you get make up all over you anyway?" asked Ron staring at Harry. Ginny and Hermione looked at each other briefly, the turned away, desperately trying to stifle their giggles.
"I bet it was gnomes" said Luna, sounding convinced Mortified, Harry buried his head in his hands, and was almost feeling grateful that she was interrupted by a loud howl.
"Oh god. What was that" said Hermione, biting her lip.
They sprang to their feet, and turned in the direction of the scream. Two girls were running away from the forest, apparently in a blind panic, not far from where they were sitting. Then a shape that looked like a large black dog shot out of the forest in pursuit.
"The Grim" gasped Ron, his voice sounded shaky
"No. It's worse than that." Whispered Hermione
"It's a werewolf" said Harry, looking at the full moon.
They could hear the girls casting spells over their shoulders at the animal, but they were shooting blind. In any case, the few spells that did hit it were powerless to stop the beast.
"It's Marietta and Cho" said Luna, suddenly recognising the girls running across the lawn. She got to her feet and ran across the grass to them, with Harry and the others following closely behind.
The wolf caught the slower runner in a few powerful bounds, who let out a blood-curdling scream as she fell. Her companion stopped, but could only watch in horror as her friend was dragged away by her leg across the grass and back into the forest.
"It's got her!" Marietta cried. "It's got Cho! Harry, you've got to save her!"
There were tears streaming down the girl's face. She was hysterical.
"Get your wands out." Said Harry turning to Ron & Hermione "
Luna, can you go back inside with Marietta and get the first Professor you find to come and help us. Ginny, please get Hagrid."
"I want to go!" said Ginny stamping her feet. Luna was already leading Marietta back to the castle.
"No, it's too dangerous," Ron said. "Just think. What would mum say if she found out? We need you to get help. Go and find Hagrid"
Ginny scowled at him then turned and followed Luna.
"C'mon, let go. We're wasting time." Said Hermione, taking steps towards the dark, forbidding forest. Harry and Ron followed, breaking into a sprint.
"Why are we doing this?" asked Ron "With werewolves, there are usually no survivors."
"We have to go," Hermione panted. "If we didn't try to save her, we'd never forgive ourselves."
Harry ran at top speed. He was barely aware of Ron behind him. In his head, he was hoping that she wasn't dead.
Finally, they found the wolf's foot prints, signs of something begin dragged, and a trail of blood. The tracks deviated off into the woods. As they got closer, they could hear growling that echoed throughout the woods.
In the clearing, Harry saw the werewolf , and at his feet - paws - was Cho's mangled, bleeding body. She was contorted in an impossible position, but when Harry peered at her from the distance he was at, he could see her chest rising up and down.
She was still breathing. She was still alive.
Horrified, Harry watched as the wolf bent down and picked Cho up again. She was held tightly in his jaws as he shook her around like a rag doll. He didn't know if she was still breathing after that.
"We've got to stun him," he heard Hermione say. "It's the only way to do it without killing him."
"But if we miss, it may be too powerful," Harry answered. "It'll kill her."
Harry's heart plummeted to his stomach. What was a werewolf doing in the Hogwarts grounds anyway? But he didn't have time to think about that. Cho was in trouble. There had to be something he could do. They needed a distraction. Something that would make it drop Cho and get her out of the way so that they could stun it .
And suddenly, he realised what he had to do. He jumped out into the dark clearing. The wolf heard him right away, and turned towards him, Cho still locked in his jaws.
"Harry! No!" Hermione shouted.
Harry took a deep breath. The stag had saved his life on more than one occasion. Now, hopefully, it would save Cho's.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Harry shouted at the top of his lungs.
Instantly, a silvery-white stream erupted from his wand, and his father's stag charged into the clearing. The wolf appeared to be in awe. It's eyes were wide and wild, and his tail was between his legs. He opened his mouth to howl, and Cho fell out, crashing to the ground.
"Now!" Ron shouted.
"STUPEFY!"
The wolf was hit by stunning spells, it stopped howling and flopped over on his side, nearly landing on Cho .
Harry quickly collected his Patronus and ran forward into the clearing. The wolf was out cold. Cho was lying in a heap, her body covered in blood. Harry was nearly sick at the sight of her.
"It worked," gasped Hermione.
Suddenly a the sound of something large crashing through the under growth startled them. Harry, Ron and Hermione spun round to see Hagrid with his crossbow. He had obviously ran, as he was sweating and panting. A few moments later Ginny appeared.
"What's 'appened? " he gasped "Ginny said som'in' about" He saw the werewolf lying in the clearing, next to Cho.
Hagrid walked over and carefully picked up Cho. "Come on, let's get back to the castle."
Harry wasn't sure it was even wise to be moving Cho but he didn't know what else to do.
"You don't think... she's not going to die, is she?" he asked
"Perhaps it would be better if she did." Replied Hagrid
Harry stopped dead in his tracks, outraged. "What do you mean?"
"Harry, have you forgotten what happens to someone when they're bitten by a werewolf?" Hermione hissed.
And then Harry realised the awful fate that awaited her. But it was better than death. He'd just realised that even though she wasn't his girlfriend anymore, he still cared for her.
There were back at the castle even quicker than they left it, but it all felt like it was too long for Harry. He worried they were too late. Every second mattered.
When they got back inside, Dumbledore was there to meet them in the entrance hall. A stretcher was hovering beside him, waiting for the patient. Hagrid gently placed her on it.
"Thank you Hagrid. Would you mind waiting here for a while, I may have further need of your services"
"Right 'o" replied Hagrid
Dumbledore whisked the floating stretcher through the dark stone corridors up to the infirmary. It was dark inside the ward, nothing was moving apart from two house elves, who turned to greet him
"Master Dumbledore" they squeaked
"Where is Madam Pomfrey?"
"She's in the store room collecting supplies." The elf replied "I'll summon her for you"
The elf disappeared into the gloom.
"Poppy will take care of her," Dumbledore said. "I'm afraid I don't know how much she can do. There's not much time. Soon, she won't be able to do anything."
The dim light cast shadows on his wrinkled face. It was only at times like this, when Dumbledore was under the greatest pressure, that he really showed his age.
"Where's the wolf?" Dumbledore asked, taking a deep breath.
"He's still in the clearing," Ron answered. "He's out cold. He won't be up 'til morning. We hit it pretty hard."
"I see." Dumbledore nodded and turned to the house elf beside him "Misty, would you ask Hagrid to tend to the beast please."
The second elf disappeared with a loud pop.
"Hermione, you will be pleased to know that I have arrange for these elves to be educated in medical matters," said Dumbledore. "As you know, they posses the necessary intelligence, that, and their ancient magic makes them ideal nurses."
Hermione nodded
"Has this ever happened before?" asked Harry "you know, with the werewolves in the forest"
Dumbledore shook his head. "There were never any werewolves in the forbidden forest. It was a myth; a myth intended to keep students away from the creatures in there"
"So how did it get into Hogwarts?" asked Hermione "according to Hogwarts: A History..."
Dumbledore shook his head gravely. "I don't know."
Harry was still smarting about the amount of work he had to catch up on. DA meetings were put on hold, and he couldn't spare any time to play quidditch. Needless to say he would have been in a foul mood if it wasn't Hogsmead weekend again, and he had Sirius's ghost to talk to. Unfortunately he only saw Sirius at night, and as a result, he was constantly feeling tired. However, the depression that had followed him around for the past months was gone, and life felt good for the first time in ages.
"Hermione's going to be late" explained Ron over breakfast. "She had to see Professor Mcgonagall about something.
"Probably extra homework" said Harry rolling his eyes. Harry's injuries from the duel were now reduced to minor aches and pains, or they were until Luna jabbed him in the ribs.
Eventually Hermione appeared, looking irritable
"What took you so long?" asked Ron.
"Nothing you need to worry about" she snapped.
"You know what I think" began Ron. Hermione rolled her eyes. "You need to eat some proper food instead of all that rabbit stuff. Then you wouldn't be so grumpy in the morning."
Hermione looked as if she was about to erupt.
"Did you know that eating fish is supposed to make you really brainy" continued Ron "and that's an animal"
"Well it hasn't worked on you!" retorted Hermione scathingly.
Although the weather had improved, the wind still whipped their hair into their faces as Harry, Luna, Ron, Hermione and Ginny walked across the Hogwarts grounds. They walked down the sweping driveway to the gates whose posts were adorned by winged boars and turned onto the road that led into Hogsmead.
Spring was on the way. The snow had melted and yellow daffodils were beginning to bloom. With the exception of chattering students, the road was silent. As Hogsmead was the only non-muggle settlement in Britain, there were no cars.
"What are we going to do when we get there?" asked Hermione
"Hmm" said Luna dreamily "I could do with a new hat"
"I'd like to go into Gladrags. I need new robes." Said Ginny
Her handed down robes, once black, now grey, were starting to get a bit threadbare. The girls decided that they had better go clothes shopping. They continued walking, the girls talking about new robes, dresses and hats, a subject which Ron and Harry found extremely boring. After five minutes, the narrow streets and thatched roofs of Hogsmead were in sight. The girls said their goodbyes as they reached the outskirts, and headed off to Gladrags.
"What are we going to do?" asked Harry
"What about Zonko's?"
"Do we have to? I think I'm starting to grow out of Dung Bombs & nose biting teacups"
"Yeah, true, but it's a shame when that happens"
"Honey dukes?"
"No. I feel like doing something different. I know !" said Ron quietly, a smile cracking on his face "Fire Whiskey. I've always wanted to try some, but Hermione said no on Valentine's day"
"Yeah, that'll do it" grinned Harry
They continued walking along the high street and into the Three Broomsticks
"I'll get 'em. I look older than you" said Ron as they approached the bar.
"Two Fire Whiskeys please" said Ron, leaning on the bar to Madam Rosemarta.
"I know you two" said replied, appraising them "aren't you Harry Potter and Ron Weasley?"
"Er yeah" Ron replied.
"Then you're too young. How about some Butter Beer instead?"
"Maybe next time" said Ron, disgruntled
They turned and left
"How about the Hogshead?" suggested Harry once they were outside.
"The barman's a bit creepy, but it's worth a go" nodded Ron.
The barman in the Hogs Head refused to let them drink Firewhiskey in the pub, but still sold them a bottle to take away.
"What now?"
"Back to Hogwarts I suppose. I'm not walking around Hogsmead like a tramp"
"A what?"
"Never mind"
It wasn't until much later that evening they were able to sample the Fire Whiskey. The last few students climbed the stairs to their dormitories at just after midnight, but once the common room was deserted, two glasses were poured out. Ron, initially, boiling over with anticipation and excitement, was starting to look a bit apprehensive.
"Cheers" said Harry
They raised their glasses and took a sip. The whiskey was warm and left a smokey after taste. Ron looked relieved that nothing terrible had happened, and took a large gulp.
"Argh" he gasped, holding his throat.
Harry laughed. "You're supposed to sip it"
"How do you know?"
"I've seen Uncle Vernon do it"
"Ahh"
After ten minutes, the glasses were empty, and Harry and Ron were feeling a little light headed but otherwise fine
"Another?"
"Yeah. It would be a shame to waste it!"
Another ten minutes passed, and the glasses stood empty. Now they were starting to laugh, and were in the mood for some excitement.
"Let's go and see Hermy" slurred Ron
"Yeah and let's go and see Luna as well" said Harry, his eyes sliding in and out of focus.
"Yeah. No wait. How are we going to get up the stairs?"
Ron had tried last year to get to the girls dormitory without success; The stairs turned into a slide and an alarm went off.
"I know! We'll fly"
"How? I haven't got wings" laughed Ron
"Broomsticks!"
"Where?" smirked Ron turning around, pretending to be suprised. He was now finding himself extremely funny
"Rooooon!" Harry stumbled over to Ron and embraced his best friend in a rather sloppy hug. "We'll go and get our broomsticks"
"Yeah, let's go!" said Ron turning round sharply and pointing towards the door.
"Don't forget the firewhisky"
"Yeah, and be quiet. We don't want to wake anyone up"
How they staggered through the castle to the broomshed without getting lost was a miracle. The racket they made as they crashed into suits of armour would have been enough to wake the entire castle, not just the sleeping occupants of the paintings that lined the walls, who 'Shhh'd' them loudly. Every so often Ron and Harry would take a swig from the bottle, which was half-empty by the time, the reach the double doors that led into the grounds.
They staggered across the grass, ocassionally falling over, until the eventually reached the wooden broom shed. Ron leant against it, trying to remember the spell to unlock it, while Harry gazed up the sky. The crescent moon was occasionally visible between the clouds, and when it was, a ghostly Hogwarts re-appeared from the gloom.
"Done it" announced Ron triumphantly, opening the door and pulling out their brooms.
"I don't think I can walk all the way back to our tower. Let's fly"
"Absolutely," said Ron, patting Harry awkwardly on the back. "Er, are you drunk?" Harry looked shocked.
"Yessss, I think I am" he slurred.
"Wait. I'm going to get Crabbe & Goyle" said Ron
"Why? Why do we want them to see Hermy-on with us?
"No. I'm going to pay them back for all the times they've said bad things about my family"
"Oh, Okay then. I'll go back to the tower and wake the girls"
"Give me a shot of that whisky before I go". Ron took a mouthful, and dribbled half down his robes. "If Hermy wakes up before I get there, tell her I really really really love her"
"Okay"
"Do you like any girls Harry? Yeah, wait, you like Loony Luna"
"Oy! Don't call her Luna. You better behave yourshelf!" Harry shouted
"Shorry mate. And don't shout" yelled Ron back at him
"Aren't you going to sort out Crabbe & Goyle?"
"I'm going to short out Crabbe & Goyle" said Ron with great conviction, whilst leaning against the broomshed to hold himself up.
Harry mounted his broom, then slipped off onto the grass.
Once they had both managed to mount their brooms, they kicked off and shot across the dark grounds towards the doors. It was good to be riding at night with the mild spring air rushing past, forcing it's way into their lungs, they felt alive, indestructible and reckless. The dark grounds were a blur. The castle loomed ever closer; a towering mass of turrets, jet black against the sky. Harry's firebolt was easily faster than Ron's broom, even though it's path wasn't that straight. He braked hard before the oak doors, and slid off the front of the broom and onto the grass, while Ron howled with laughter.
Harry struggled to his feet and lent against the heavy oak door , which opened slowly.
Once inside, the race was on again. They raced each other through the dimly lit castle, banging against the stone walls.
"Ow, that really hurt" whimpered Ron, catching his foot on something hard. Harry, on the other hand, was feeling no pain what so ever.
Ron narrowly made the turning into the corridor that led to the Slytherin common room.
"Byeeee" he yelled, disappearing into a dark corridor.
Harry turned his broom towards the Gryffindor Tower, and shot through the corridors at particularly unsafe speeds, up the stairs to the girls dormitory, and crashed his Firebolt into a chandelier.
He felt the back of his broom slide round, tipping him off onto the cold, hard floor. The broom hit the chandelier with such force that it exploded, showering Harry with shards of glass.
He looked up to see the Firebolt wedged in the wooden structure of the remains of the chandelier. I'm in so much trouble he thought to himself.
The noise woke up the girls, who came out from their rooms to see what was happening. Harry stood up, swayed, and grabbed the wall to stop himself falling down
"Harry" shrieked Hermione "what's wrong? Are you okay?"
"Ron says he really really really loves you"
"Are you drunk Harry?" said Hermione, starting to realise that Harry hadn't been duelling or attacked and understanding why Harry was falling about so much.
"No" smirked Ginny "he's totally wasted"
"No! I haven't had anything all night." He swayed where he stood, then giggled like a girl.
Hermione shook her head. Who had given Harry alcohol? He could get in so much trouble.
Harry could not fight gravity any longer and fell over.
Hermione and Ginny looked down at The Boy Who Lived, who was now crawling along the ground being The Boy Who Couldn't Find His Glasses. He made it to their feet where he sat up on his knees (glasses on his face, where they had been the whole time) and held his bottle up for inspection.
"Look," said Harry, "Firewhisky! You drink it, and your mouth feels like it's on fire. . . but. . . IT'S NOT! Crazy huh?"
"Yep. Crazy stuff, Harry." Ginny patted him on the head. Harry smiled serenely and passed out on the floor.
"We can't leave him here" sighed Hermione "We'd better get him back to his room"
"I think he needs to learn his lesson about messing with firewhisky first. Wait a minute". Ginny returned a few moments later with her make up kit and applied lipstick, blusher and eyeliner to the comatose Harry.
Sniggering, they grabbed an arm each and hauled him up.
"I wonder what Ron's up to" said Ginny as they dragged Harry down the stairs. "I hope he's being better behaved than this idiot"
"Don't know, but I doubt it. Any way Harry looks so pretty we should leave him in the common room" giggled Hermione.
"Where am I? " asked Harry
"Don't worry, we're here to help" giggled the girls
"Thanks" muttered Harry "I really really like you Ginny. Your like the shister I never had. I like Hermy-ony too, but Ron likes her more."
They dropped him into a chair by the fireplace. His head flopped over to one side and he vomited half into a pot-plant, and the rest went over the floor."
"Remind me never to walk in here with bare feet again," said Hermione, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
They left him there and went back to bed.
Harry was vaguely aware of people laughing, but stayed in the chair until the sunlight was so bright it woke him. He opened his eyes, but shut them again quickly and turned his head away from the light. He felt his brain slop against the inside of his head.
Colin Creavey was taking pictures.
"Merlin H Pendragon. Stop that clicking noise; it's too loud" mumbled Harry
"HARRY POTTER !!"
The voice went straight through him, rattling his brain as it did. He knew to whom it belonged. Whenever he had heard it before, he was in trouble. He opened his eyes slowly, and then shut them again. It was, as he suspected, Professor Mcgonagall.
"Look at me Potter, I'm talking to you"
His eyes opened again.
"Can you explain what happened last night?" she said
"Er no" he mubbled quietly.
"So you don't know how your broomstick ended up stuck in the remains of a chandelier outside the girls dormitory, how a suit of armour was almost destroyed, and why on earth you are wearing make-up"
Harry groaned.
"Mr Filtch also said you and Ronald Weasley were racing around the castle at night on broomsticks" she continued
He groaned again. "Where's Ron?"
Several people laughed.
"Mr Weasley was found this morning, asleep on the Gryffindor table, naked, except for a napkin to preserve what was left of his dignity."
The entire common room burst out laughing, but was silenced immediately when the Professor turned her head sharply to look at them.
"Oh no"
"Yes Mr Potter, Oh yes. You and Mr Weasley are a disgrace to the Gryffindor house. You have both lost 100 points each, neither of you are ever going to Hogsmead again. The headmaster is currently writing to Mr Weasley's parents and your guardians"
Harry groaned. The Dursleys wouldn't care, but a howler would certainly be on it's way from Mrs Weasley.
"Step out of line again and neither of you will be playing quidditch either. You've already missed this mornings lessons, now get up and get yourself downstairs for lunch"
Harry heaved himself up. His head felt as though it was too heavy to lift. He looked around at what appeared to be the entire Gryffindor house, laughing and pointng at him
"And Potter"
"Yes Professor" he said sheepishly
"I want you to wash the make up off that face before you show it downstairs"
"Yes Professor"
"And I don't want this to happen again Potter"
"No Professor. It won't" Harry meant it. At that point he never wanted to drink firewhisky again. Slowly he made his way back to his room where he washed and collapsed on his bed and slept until Ron made an appearance a few hours later.
"Never again" said Ron shaking his head slowly. "You'll never guess what happened to me"
"What?" said Harry, half dreading Ron's story, but still intrigued
"They saw me. All of me. The whole school" Ron sat down hard on the edge of his bed, clearly the worse for wear, and held his head in his hands.
"How?"
"Somehow I got onto the Gryffindor table without my clothes" said Ron thickly
"How did that happen?"
"Don't know, but all my clothes were found outside the Syltherin common room"
"Why?"
"I don't know and I can't remember" said Ron starting to worry "and I'm covered in bruises"
"Yeah me too. Mcgonagall said that Filch saw us racing on our brooms in the castle"
"That could explain it"
Not having eaten since the previous evening they made their way down to the great hall. As they entered the Gryffindor common room, they were greeted by cheering, slaps on the back, and a scowl from Hermione.
"Not another lecture please Hermione" begged Ron "Mcgonagall's already done it, and we're starving"
She hissed and nagged at them incessantly about alcohol abuse, and how people had thrown their lives away needlessly, all through the corridors until they reached the Great Hall and sat down at the table. It irritated Harry, but he knew they deserved it.
Ron was greeted with cheers and whistles from the Slytherin table.
"Oy Weasley, I didn't recognise you with your clothes on!" called Pansy Parkinson loudly.
"Don't fancy yours much" mumbled Harry "looks like a right old troll". Ron shuddered while Hermione tutted.
At least Sirius found the whole episode hilarous; his laughter echoed around Myrtle's bathroom when Harry and Ron told him later that day.
"Your dad and I got completely trashed on Firewhiskey once" he grinned. "Don't remember a thing about it though"
"Bet neither of you ended up on the Gryffindor table" moaned Ron.
"Nope." Smirked Sirius. "Didn't end up wearing make-up either. Is there something you're not telling us Harry?"
Ron and Sirius roared with laughter, which upset Myrtle, and she returned to her U-bend with a resounding splash.
As expected, the howler arrived at breakfast the next morning. Ron saw the crimson envelope as the owl carrying it flew in through the window. The owl landed clumsily among the breakfast bowls and milk jugs, and the envelope start to smoulder. Ron took a deep breath, paused, took it from the owl's beak, and then opened it.
"RONALD WEASLEY AND HARRY POTTER" yelled Mrs Weasley's voice, magnified so that everyone in the Great Hall and surrounding corridors could hear. Harry was quite surprised to find out it was addressed to him as well.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING MESSING ABOUT WITH FIREWHISKY? BOTH OF YOU ARE FAR TOO YOUNG".
Harry thought his eardrums would burst as Mrs Weasley's yells echoed are the hall.
"OWL FROM DUMBLEDORE LAST NIGHT. RACING ROUND HOGWARTS ON BROOMS, AND BEING FOUND STARK NAKED IN THE MORNING".
The Slytherin table was howling with laughter. On the Ravenclaw table Cho Chang was laughing so much, she was in tears, clutching her sides.
"AND HOW DID HARRY GET A MAKEOVER ??"
Ginny looked at her breakfast, while Harry felt as though he wanted to die.
"IF EITHER OF YOU ARE IN TROUBLE AGAIN, THERE'LL BE MORE TROUBLE WHEN I GET HOLD OF THE PAIR OF YOU. YOU'RE WORSE THAN FRED AND GEORGE".
The yelling stopped and the crimson envelope turned in ashes that fell into a small pile on the table. The laughter however continued for some time.
"Ron, " began Hermione once everyone had gone back to their own conversations "Harry told me something on, you know, that night"
Harry looked shocked, he was desperately racking his brain, trying hard to remember what he could possibly have said. Ginny groaned, knowing full well where this conversation was going.
"Watsat" replied Ron spraying his mouthful of toast over the table.
"He told me" she said, taking a deep breath "he told me that you loved me"
Ron looked horrified, and scowled at Harry, who sat there, mouth agape.
They left for their potions class without another word being spoken.
That evening started peacefully; the air was warm and still. The only noises were of the creatures stirring in the forbidden forest. Harry, Luna, Ron, Hermione and Ginny sitting on the sloping lawn under the full moon, discussing their day.
"So how did you get make up all over you anyway?" asked Ron staring at Harry. Ginny and Hermione looked at each other briefly, the turned away, desperately trying to stifle their giggles.
"I bet it was gnomes" said Luna, sounding convinced Mortified, Harry buried his head in his hands, and was almost feeling grateful that she was interrupted by a loud howl.
"Oh god. What was that" said Hermione, biting her lip.
They sprang to their feet, and turned in the direction of the scream. Two girls were running away from the forest, apparently in a blind panic, not far from where they were sitting. Then a shape that looked like a large black dog shot out of the forest in pursuit.
"The Grim" gasped Ron, his voice sounded shaky
"No. It's worse than that." Whispered Hermione
"It's a werewolf" said Harry, looking at the full moon.
They could hear the girls casting spells over their shoulders at the animal, but they were shooting blind. In any case, the few spells that did hit it were powerless to stop the beast.
"It's Marietta and Cho" said Luna, suddenly recognising the girls running across the lawn. She got to her feet and ran across the grass to them, with Harry and the others following closely behind.
The wolf caught the slower runner in a few powerful bounds, who let out a blood-curdling scream as she fell. Her companion stopped, but could only watch in horror as her friend was dragged away by her leg across the grass and back into the forest.
"It's got her!" Marietta cried. "It's got Cho! Harry, you've got to save her!"
There were tears streaming down the girl's face. She was hysterical.
"Get your wands out." Said Harry turning to Ron & Hermione "
Luna, can you go back inside with Marietta and get the first Professor you find to come and help us. Ginny, please get Hagrid."
"I want to go!" said Ginny stamping her feet. Luna was already leading Marietta back to the castle.
"No, it's too dangerous," Ron said. "Just think. What would mum say if she found out? We need you to get help. Go and find Hagrid"
Ginny scowled at him then turned and followed Luna.
"C'mon, let go. We're wasting time." Said Hermione, taking steps towards the dark, forbidding forest. Harry and Ron followed, breaking into a sprint.
"Why are we doing this?" asked Ron "With werewolves, there are usually no survivors."
"We have to go," Hermione panted. "If we didn't try to save her, we'd never forgive ourselves."
Harry ran at top speed. He was barely aware of Ron behind him. In his head, he was hoping that she wasn't dead.
Finally, they found the wolf's foot prints, signs of something begin dragged, and a trail of blood. The tracks deviated off into the woods. As they got closer, they could hear growling that echoed throughout the woods.
In the clearing, Harry saw the werewolf , and at his feet - paws - was Cho's mangled, bleeding body. She was contorted in an impossible position, but when Harry peered at her from the distance he was at, he could see her chest rising up and down.
She was still breathing. She was still alive.
Horrified, Harry watched as the wolf bent down and picked Cho up again. She was held tightly in his jaws as he shook her around like a rag doll. He didn't know if she was still breathing after that.
"We've got to stun him," he heard Hermione say. "It's the only way to do it without killing him."
"But if we miss, it may be too powerful," Harry answered. "It'll kill her."
Harry's heart plummeted to his stomach. What was a werewolf doing in the Hogwarts grounds anyway? But he didn't have time to think about that. Cho was in trouble. There had to be something he could do. They needed a distraction. Something that would make it drop Cho and get her out of the way so that they could stun it .
And suddenly, he realised what he had to do. He jumped out into the dark clearing. The wolf heard him right away, and turned towards him, Cho still locked in his jaws.
"Harry! No!" Hermione shouted.
Harry took a deep breath. The stag had saved his life on more than one occasion. Now, hopefully, it would save Cho's.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Harry shouted at the top of his lungs.
Instantly, a silvery-white stream erupted from his wand, and his father's stag charged into the clearing. The wolf appeared to be in awe. It's eyes were wide and wild, and his tail was between his legs. He opened his mouth to howl, and Cho fell out, crashing to the ground.
"Now!" Ron shouted.
"STUPEFY!"
The wolf was hit by stunning spells, it stopped howling and flopped over on his side, nearly landing on Cho .
Harry quickly collected his Patronus and ran forward into the clearing. The wolf was out cold. Cho was lying in a heap, her body covered in blood. Harry was nearly sick at the sight of her.
"It worked," gasped Hermione.
Suddenly a the sound of something large crashing through the under growth startled them. Harry, Ron and Hermione spun round to see Hagrid with his crossbow. He had obviously ran, as he was sweating and panting. A few moments later Ginny appeared.
"What's 'appened? " he gasped "Ginny said som'in' about" He saw the werewolf lying in the clearing, next to Cho.
Hagrid walked over and carefully picked up Cho. "Come on, let's get back to the castle."
Harry wasn't sure it was even wise to be moving Cho but he didn't know what else to do.
"You don't think... she's not going to die, is she?" he asked
"Perhaps it would be better if she did." Replied Hagrid
Harry stopped dead in his tracks, outraged. "What do you mean?"
"Harry, have you forgotten what happens to someone when they're bitten by a werewolf?" Hermione hissed.
And then Harry realised the awful fate that awaited her. But it was better than death. He'd just realised that even though she wasn't his girlfriend anymore, he still cared for her.
There were back at the castle even quicker than they left it, but it all felt like it was too long for Harry. He worried they were too late. Every second mattered.
When they got back inside, Dumbledore was there to meet them in the entrance hall. A stretcher was hovering beside him, waiting for the patient. Hagrid gently placed her on it.
"Thank you Hagrid. Would you mind waiting here for a while, I may have further need of your services"
"Right 'o" replied Hagrid
Dumbledore whisked the floating stretcher through the dark stone corridors up to the infirmary. It was dark inside the ward, nothing was moving apart from two house elves, who turned to greet him
"Master Dumbledore" they squeaked
"Where is Madam Pomfrey?"
"She's in the store room collecting supplies." The elf replied "I'll summon her for you"
The elf disappeared into the gloom.
"Poppy will take care of her," Dumbledore said. "I'm afraid I don't know how much she can do. There's not much time. Soon, she won't be able to do anything."
The dim light cast shadows on his wrinkled face. It was only at times like this, when Dumbledore was under the greatest pressure, that he really showed his age.
"Where's the wolf?" Dumbledore asked, taking a deep breath.
"He's still in the clearing," Ron answered. "He's out cold. He won't be up 'til morning. We hit it pretty hard."
"I see." Dumbledore nodded and turned to the house elf beside him "Misty, would you ask Hagrid to tend to the beast please."
The second elf disappeared with a loud pop.
"Hermione, you will be pleased to know that I have arrange for these elves to be educated in medical matters," said Dumbledore. "As you know, they posses the necessary intelligence, that, and their ancient magic makes them ideal nurses."
Hermione nodded
"Has this ever happened before?" asked Harry "you know, with the werewolves in the forest"
Dumbledore shook his head. "There were never any werewolves in the forbidden forest. It was a myth; a myth intended to keep students away from the creatures in there"
"So how did it get into Hogwarts?" asked Hermione "according to Hogwarts: A History..."
Dumbledore shook his head gravely. "I don't know."