CHAPTER 15
"No Harry," said Cho next morning after Breakfast. "My parents aren't dead."
"But Anna said - " Began Harry.
"What did Anna say?" Asked Cho coldly.
"She said her parents died when she was two and Lucius Malfoy gave her an invisibility cloak."
"My parents didn't die." Cho snapped.
"But then Anna can't have been telling the truth," Harry said.
"Anna was telling the truth." Said Cho. "And so am I." She walked off, black hair sweeping her back. Harry was left feeling very confused.
He didn't have time to dwell over this though. The amount of homework was continuing to pile up and quidditch practises were getting more frequent.
Harry arrived at the quidditch pitch to find Katie arms folded and looked extremely annoyed. "Is this all?" She snapped as Harry arrived. "Where's Ron?" "I dunno," said Harry truthfully. "Maybe he forgot."
"That's convenient." Snapped Katie. "There's no use practising with
just two members on the team. You can go back to the castle. Oh and
we're having tryouts tomorrow so make sure you're there!"
"I don't think you will be!" Came a loud voice from behind. Derrick Boot, Slytherin quidditch captain came over, followed by several other Slytherins one of them was Draco Malfoy.
"Oh I think we will be!" Snapped Katie glaring at Derrick. "We booked the quidditch pitch for Friday evening!"
"Well so did we." Smirked Derrick. "Professor Snape gave us permission ages ago."
"I'll speak to McGonnagal about this!" Said Katie and stormed back to the castle.
Harry trooped up to the Gryffindor common room to find Ginny and Dean sitting in squashy armchairs in the corner, a group of fourth years battling through their homework and a couple of first year girls chatting about their fist few weeks at Hogwarts. He was disappointed to see that there was no sign of Ron and Hermione.
"I thought he was with you," Ginny said when Harry came over to their table. "Doing quidditch."
"Yeah, me too but he didn't turn up." Said Harry thoughtfully. "Are you going to try out for chaser Ginny."
"She is," said Dean grinning. "She won't shut up about it!" Ginny blushed.
"I thought it would be quite fun," she said. "Well Charlie, Fred, George and Ron were all on the team. Ron still is."
"Is he?" Asked Dean looking surprised. "I thought he'd resigned."
"I'll go and look for him." Said Harry and left Dean and Ginny.
He thought he knew exactly where Ron would be. He reached the quidditch pitch to find Ron flying low round the pitch looking miserable. "Why weren't you at practise?" Harry asked.
Ron landed his broom. "I didn't feel like it." He said shortly.
"I'll help you practise if you like." Harry said encouragingly.
They spent a whole hour together; Harry throwing red quaffles at Ron who just managed to block the first two, but let the third slip through the ring.
"That's much better!" Harry grinned at him when they finished. They headed back to the castle but as they went, Harry had a feeling he was being watched. Night was beginning to fall and he spun around to find that once again, Anna Chang had been following him. What now? He thought as Anna ran up to him.
"Hi Harry!" She said excitedly. "I'd like to play quidditch but I'm not much good and first years aren't allowed."
"What are you doing in the grounds?" Harry asked her bewildered.
"Oh I was just walking." Said Anna, but Harry had the impression that once again she was keeping something from him.
"Er, right." Said Harry. He turned and began to follow Ron.
"Potter!" Came a loud drawling voice from near a clump of bushes. Harry turned to see Draco Malfoy approach them. Ron glared. "What are you doing here?" Malfoy asked nastily. "Setting up a fan club?"
"Where's the loyal sidekick?" Ron asked looking round for Piers. "Or the body guards?" But Crabbe and Goyle weren't there either. "Or have you just been meeting up with your girlfriend?" He looked round at Anna who was glaring at Ron.
"I'm not his girlfriend!" Snapped Anna. "Why can't I meet Draco?"
"C'mon." Said Harry to Ron and the pair of them headed to the castle together.
"I didn't know that girl's in league with Malfoy!" Said Ron as they ascended the stairs to the Gryffindor common room. "She's weird."
"Yeah, I suppose." Said Harry. It was true that Anna's behaviour was rather strange. Why had she planned to meet Malfoy in secret at 9 o-clock at night, when even sixth years weren't allowed out of their house common rooms at that hour?
"It is odd though," said Ron scratching his head, "You'd think she and Cho were more alike, but she looks more like..."
"Sirius." Said Harry finishing Ron's sentence. Ron fell silent and they didn't speak to each other as the climbed the last flight of stairs to the common room.
"She was what?" Said Hermione next morning in the great hall.
"Yeah, meeting Malfoy." Said Harry.
"But why? What were they doing?" Hermione asked sounding shocked.
"I dunno!" Said Harry. "Why don't you ask her?"
"Ask who?" Neville had just arrive looking surprisingly tired.
"Never mind." Said Harry.
Neville looked hurt. "No one ever tells me stuff." He said miserably and moved away. Harry's attention was distracted however, by a snowy white owl coming soaring towards him.
"Hedwig!" Harry yelled excitedly as she came in to land next to Harry's glass of pumpkin juice. He ripped open the letter she carried and read:
Dear Harry,
I hope you have had a good first few weeks back at Hogwarts. I'm writing this letter to alert you. Remember, be careful who you put all your trust into at Hogwarts. This year, there are many students you do not want to be bonding with. I received this information from the ministry. Someone let it slip at work. Tell Ron and Hermione (though I'm sure there will be no need, as this should reach you in the great hall at breakfast) what I have said and Ron, Molly is sending you a new pair of socks.
Arthur Weasley.
"I wonder who we can't trust at Hogwarts." Said Ron who had just read the letter over Harry's shoulder. "I bet it's Polkiss."
"I don't think so." Said Hermione looking thoughtful.
"Why?" Asked Harry and Ron together.
"Well I was very surprised when I found out that Piers had been put in Slytherin."
"Why?" Said Harry looking surprised. "He's Slytherin material!"
"Oh Harry!" Snapped Hermione sounding exasperated. "It's not your personality that counts! That's just a mere fraction. It's what you want. Why do you think Wormtail got put in Gryffindor?"
Harry had forgotten about this. Peter Petigrew; Voldermort's servant had indeed been a Gryffindor.
"You see?" Hermione said. "It doesn't mean all Gryffindors are against the dark side. So it will mean that not all Slytherins are with the dark side!"
"So you're saying," said Harry thoughtfully, "that even Piers Polkiss could turn out to even defeat you-know-who."
"Yes," said Hermione. You do get good, kind Slytherins just like you get bad, evil Gryff - "
"No way." Said Ron laughing. "Piers Polkiss! A good, kind Slytherin!"
"Oh Ron!" Snapped Hermione." You only judge people by what they're like on the outside! You never know, his sister could turn out in Gryffindor. I wouldn't be surprised actually. That's what she wants."
"How d'you know that?" Ron looked amazed.
"Well I have met them you know. In Diagonally in my first year. My parents and Mr and Mrs Polkiss got friendly, as they're both muggles. They received a letter from Durmstrang, not Hogwarts. Even though that's the nearest school. They were really surprised when they got the letter but of course Piers was really excited. I told his sister Amanda all about the Hogwarts houses and she said she wanted to be in Gryffindor."
"How did she know though." Said Ron sounding disbelieving. "She would have been two."
"Three Ron." Said Hermione. And I bet the only reason Piers got put in Slytherin was because that's where Malfoy was and Malfoy, being the first to talk to him, was the closest to a friend he had at the time. It seemed odd to me because he was in the equivalent of Gryffindor when he was at Durmstrang."
"So if we'd been the first to talk to him, he could have been put in Gryffindor?" Ron said still sounding a little disbelieving.
"Maybe." Said Hermione thoughtfully.
Harry thought about this conversation all the way to the quidditch pitch that evening. It really didn't make much sense. Piers was a natural Slytherin. He had bullied him at primary school, was best friends with Dudley, and Harry really would be surprised if his younger sister turned out to be a Gryffindor. Hermione's face popped up in his mind, 'people change' it said as it spun round.
"Where've you been?" Katie asked him as he arrived at the quidditch pitch. She was sounding annoyed.
"Look, you're lucky I'm here at all." Harry muttered. It was true, last year he had been in his detention with Umbridge whilst quidditch tryouts had been taking place.
But Katie just glowered and turned her back on him, leaving him free to slip of to the changing rooms and change into his scarlet Gryffindor quidditch robes.
Ron was already there. "When did you get here?" Harry asked him as he fidgeted with a loose piece of thread coming of the sleeve of his quidditch robes.
"I was practising." He said dully.
Five minutes later, the few remaining Gryffindors we all flying about in the air. Madam Hooch had just arrived and was deep in conversation with Katie. "Ok," Shouted Katie as Madam Hooch turned and went to sit in the stands. "Let's try Ivan Edgerly and William Shakklebolt as beaters." Harry recognised the name Shakklebolt. Kingsley Shakklebolt was in the Order, and the conductor of the knight bus was also a Shakklebolt. William must be his brother.
The two fourth year boys mounted their brooms and kicked off. Ivan Edgerly wasn't much good but William Shakklebolt was great. He managed to hit away every single bludger that approached him, even at the end he had no injuries.
"You'd better take him to the hospital wing." Said Katie sounding slightly worried. The two boys landed. Ivan Edgerly looked as though he'd broken his wrist where the bludger had hit it. "Now lets try..."
The next two beaters weren't bad. Kevin Atley managed to hit two bludgers, but got hit by the third and Dennis Creevy hit three but dodged the fourth. Katie looked impressed. She and Madam Hooch were deep in conversation again.
Next they tried the chasers. Ginny Weasley and Rose Aladrin. Ginny was excellent but Rose seemed a bit nervous of breaking a nail so her catches weren't too good.
Next were Susanna Fry and Emily Endinton. They were both quite good. Harry watched vaguely as Susanna passed the quaffle to Katie who scored and as Emily caught it off Katie and managed to score herself. A loud "Potter!" Jerked him back to his senses. The snitch was hovering centimetres away from his left hand. He grabbed it and shoved it in his pocket where it beat its tiny wings furiously as it tried to escape.
The next two chasers weren't much good they both managed to drop the ball at least once each. At last, Katie and Madam Hooch could be seen talking again. After about five minutes they seem to have made a decision because Katie blew her whistle and everyone watched excitedly. "Ok," said Katie as everyone fell silent. "You were all great. We've got William Shakklebolt and Dennis Creevy as beaters." William and Dennis punched the air, Ivan Edgerly looked disappointed but Kevin Atley merely shrugged and got off his broom. "And the chasers," Katie continued, "will be Ginny Weasley, and Emily Endinton." Everyone cheered as she said Ginny's name. Harry and Ron flew down to congratulate her. There was a much bigger disappointment with the students who tried out for chaser and didn't get it. Harry could see a couple of them crying and the rest looked over enviously at Ginny and Emily who were in the centre of a crowd along with William and Dennis.
Harry and Ron said well done to the new Gryffindor quidditch team members and slowly made their way back up to the castle. Ginny hurried up to them from behind. "Hi," She said. She was smiling and looking very pleased with herself.
"Hi," said Harry grinning at her. "Well done you were great!"
"Yeah," said Ron but not sounding quite as enthusiastic as Harry. "Yeah, well done Ginny." Ginny smiled and slipped off away from the castle.
They were just about to enter the castle when Harry saw that the light in Hagrid's cabin were on.
"Ron!" Hissed Harry pointing at it. "Hagrid's back!"
The pair of them ran towards it. When they arrived, they were surprised to hear that Hagrid was talking to someone. It wasn't Hermione. It was two people. They knocked and at once, Hagrid stopped talking. "Jus' comin'!" He called and moments later, Hagrid's face appeared. Ron and Harry jumped.
"Hagrid, what have you done?" Harry asked, looking at all the fresh new cuts and bruises on his face. "You haven't been on another journey have you?"
"Ah, no." Said Hagrid gruffly, smiling at them. "So, how are you two then? Where's Hermione?"
"We came from the quidditch pitch." Said Ron. "Who were you talking to Hagrid?" He tried to enter but Hagrid was taking up the whole door.
"Oh, I wasn't talking to anyone," He said trying to sound casual.
"Give it up Hagrid," Said Ron with a sigh. "Let us in." He slipped through and stood completely still for a moment. Harry followed him and saw what Ron was staring at. Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley were sitting on Hagrid's kitchen table, legs swinging.
"Hi." Said Ginny uncertainly.
"What are you doing here Ginny?" Asked Ron sounding confused.
"We just came for a chat." Said Ginny defiantly. Harry looked at Luna who was gazing out of the window and didn't seem to have noticed Harry and Ron had entered.
"Oh, hello." Said Luna, turning her head to face them.
There was a knock on the door. "Oh, I'll get it." Said Ron hurrying to the door, but Hagrid got there first.
"Oh, 'ello Hermione!" He said smiling at Her. Hermione came in, thinking it better not to mention the new cuts on Hagrid's face.
"Have I come at a bad time?" Said Hermione catching sight of Ginny and Luna.
"Oh, no, no." Said Hagrid nervously. "Erm, Ginny and, Luna isn't it? Came round to say hi."
"Oh, look at the time." Said Ginny sounding annoyed and looking at an imaginary watch. "We'd better get back to the castle. Come on Luna." She grabbed Luna by the wrist and stormed out.
"So," said Ron looking glad Ginny and Luna had left them alone to talk to Hagrid. "What have you been doing then?"
"Oh fine, Ok I'll tell yer. Yer'd find out anyway." Said Hagrid sitting down in an armchair. "Well, did yer read that article 'bout the giant and old Umbridge?"
"Yes..." Said Harry who thought he knew what was coming next.
"Well, you know they meant old Grawpy?" Hagrid said, blowing his nose on an old brownish handkerchief. "Well, I had to do somethin'" Tears were now pouring down Hagrid's vast, bearded face. "So, I, I took yer advice Hermione. I returned him to his natural environment. I think he was happy to go. Yer know, he went willingly."
Hermione gave Hagrid a look of sympathy. "Well, you did the right thing Hagrid," She said, standing on tiptoes so she could pat him on the back. "I'm sure he's really happy."
"Yer think so?" Hagrid said smiling at her.
"I'm sure of it." Said Hermione firmly.
"How did you get past that shield thing the ministry put round Grawp any way?" Ron asked curiously.
"Ah, the ministry don't know nothin' they don't." Said Hagrid, gazing out of the window as though hoping to see Grawp come staggering towards his cabin.
"Well, you don't have to hide anything now, so that's - "
Hagrid turned away from the window, looking nervous. "Erm, no, I er, don't have anythin' to er - "
"Hagrid?" Asked Ron suspiciously. "What are you hiding from us?"
"Is it something to do with Loony – er, Luna and Ginny?" Harry asked sounding puzzled.
"Erm, oh no, they jus' came fer a chat." Said Hagrid. "You'd better get back to the castle before it gets dark."
"Yeah, ok." Said Harry, knowing they wouldn't get any more out of Hagrid.
Hermione followed Harry out of the cabin, pulling Ron after her, as he was very reluctant to leave.
"I'll be seein' yer," Hagrid called after them as they headed back to the castle.
"I wonder what Hagrid's hiding from us?" Said Ron scratching his head. "I bet anything it is to do with old Loony Lovegood and Ginny. Let's see if we can get anything out of them."
"ATCHOO!" Harry, Ron and Hermione turned.
"What was that?" Hermione asked sounding shocked.
"I dunno!" Said Ron and Harry.
"It came from the forest!" Said Hermione, "but there can't be anyone there, it's out of bounds."
"You never know," said Harry, "I wonder who it could be."
"Shall we go and see?" Asked Ron excitedly and He, Harry and Hermione headed for the forest at a run.
"ATCHOO!"
"Let's go in," said Harry as they arrived at the forest.
"It might be a centaur!" Said Ron sounding enthusiastic.
"No Ron," Said Hermione sounding a bit nervous as the silently progressed into the forest. "Centaurs don't sneeze."
They were quite far into the forest by now and the surroundings were starting to darken.
"Ouch!" Said Ron as he landed splat on the muddy ground. "That root tripped me up." They looked down but it was too dark to see anything.
"Lumos!" Said Harry and Hermione together. The light from their wands illuminated a large green, plant.
"Oh! Devils snare!" Said Hermione. They had come across this particular plant in their search for the Philosophers stone in their first year. "Better keep away from it. Eugh! Unicorn blood!" She lifted up her foot. It was covered in a pure, silvery liquid. Then, without warning, Hermione gasped and her eyes glazed over.
"Hermione!" Ron and Harry dashed over to her; Ron's robes still specked with mud. Hermione was staring at something some twenty feet away from them. It was black and wearing a clock. It was breathing loudly. It seemed to be heading to the unicorn blood.
Ron waved his hand in front of Hermione's face. It seemed to jog Hermione to her senses. "Of course." She whispered, still standing completely still. "Unicorn blood."
Harry remembered. Unicorn blood would make the drinkers live forever, but it would be a cold, senseless life with no real purpose. He knew that Voldermort's death eaters were out searching for it. This cloaked figure must be one of them. "Hermione!" Yelled Harry. "Ron! Run!" Grabbing Hermione, he and Ron ran as fast as they could in the opposite direction. The forest was getting darker and darker. They must be in the heart of it by now. They heard a howl, they stopped running and Harry felt the hairs on the back of his neck stick up.
"Werewolves." Ron whispered.
Hermione looked around fearfully. "No, don't be silly Ron," she said in a very high pitched voice quite unlike her own.
ATCHOO!
"Who's there?" Harry shouted.
"Harry! Be quiet!" Hissed Hermione.
They heard a gallop of hooves and suddenly found themselves surrounded by centaurs. "Oh no!" Whispered Hermione. "Oh no, oh no!"
"What are you doing in our forest young humans!" Barked a centaur approaching them. Harry could see that the speaker was none other than Baine. A centaur he had met in his first year.
"Er, we were just - " Began Hermione.
"We got lost." Said Harry staring at the centaur, willing himself not to blink.
"Indeed." Said an old centaur, coming forward from its fellows, standing face to face with them. Ron and Hermione retreated back but Harry stood his ground.
"Let's attack!" Roared a young centaur towards the end of the pack.
"No, Janitae." Said the old centaur. "We do not attack innocent fouls."
"But - " Spluttered the young centaur. "They have no right to be here."
"Be that as it may," the old centaur continued. "We shall not harm them."
"But, Baine!" Janitae turned to him. "What do you think?"
"I cannot argue," said Baine bitterly. "I do not have the right to. You may progress." He said to Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"Thanks," said Harry. There was a stamp of hooves and several centaurs moved so they could pass through.
Harry turned to Ron and Hermione. Ron seemed lost for words but Hermione said, "Harry, that was much too risky. Let's go back."
ATCHOO!
"We can't." Said Harry. "We need to help who ever it is in here and we've got this far. Anyway, I think we're nearly there."
They hurried towards the noise and eventually, they found two, very thick trees, they had odd patterns in their bark though. On closer look, Harry saw that they had spirals imprinted in them. There was a circle of these trees, but looking round, they found a smallish gap between two, that Ron, Harry and Hermione managed to squeeze through. Harry gasped. It was a large clearing, but it was obvious someone had been there. He looked up and saw a large piece of black material with yellow star patterns, many large logs like benches, toadstools made out of wood and painted, and in the middle of the clearing, was a large patch of old carpet with about six enormous umbrellas around it. ATCHOO! It was coming from the umbrellas.
"C'mon," Harry whispered to Ron and Hermione. The three of them approached the tent of umbrellas and searched for an opening. There was a small gap between two of them which Harry peered through. To his amazement saw a figure sitting amongst the open umbrellas reading a magazine. The figure looked up at the gap in her den and saw Harry. "Oh, Hello." It was Luna Lovegood! "ATCHOO!" She sneezed. "I think I'm allergic to gilly weed!" She said unnecessarily.
"Luna!" Gasped Harry pulling away one of the abnormally large umbrellas so Ron and Hermione could join him. "What are you doing here? Do you know how dangerous it is? What do you mean you're allergic to Gilly weed?"
"Oh, I'm just reading." She held up the Quibbler magazine she was reading. "It's not as good now that Daddy's not the editor any more. Oh, didn't you know? Gilly weeds like to grow here. They're such a pain!"
Harry looked round and saw a large purple green bush growing what looked like slimy cabbages, but what Harry recognised as Gilly Weed, a plant that would enable anyone to breathe underwater.
"I eat them when I get hungry." Said Luna smiling vaguely.
"Luna!" Said Harry sounding shocked. "Do you know what they do?"
"Oh yes." Smiled Luna. "That's why I've got that." She pointed over at a small green pond.
Hermione seemed to have recovered from the shock of seeing Luna Lovegood sitting amongst half a dozen umbrellas, reading a magazine in the middle of the forbidden forest. "Luna, the forbidden forest really is a dangerous place, and it's out of bounds! How often do you come here? Don't you get attacked by centaurs."
"It's not dangerous," Luna looked Hermione straight in the eye with her large, blue ones. "I don't care if it's out of bounds. I come here every day and the centaurs don't attack me."
"Well as a prefect - " Hermione began, but Luna let out a large, false yawn.
"This is where I live Hermione." Said Luna. "I see Hagrid a lot. He knows. ATCHOO! Oh, I'm never going to eat another Gilly Weed for as long as I live!"
"No Harry," said Cho next morning after Breakfast. "My parents aren't dead."
"But Anna said - " Began Harry.
"What did Anna say?" Asked Cho coldly.
"She said her parents died when she was two and Lucius Malfoy gave her an invisibility cloak."
"My parents didn't die." Cho snapped.
"But then Anna can't have been telling the truth," Harry said.
"Anna was telling the truth." Said Cho. "And so am I." She walked off, black hair sweeping her back. Harry was left feeling very confused.
He didn't have time to dwell over this though. The amount of homework was continuing to pile up and quidditch practises were getting more frequent.
Harry arrived at the quidditch pitch to find Katie arms folded and looked extremely annoyed. "Is this all?" She snapped as Harry arrived. "Where's Ron?" "I dunno," said Harry truthfully. "Maybe he forgot."
"That's convenient." Snapped Katie. "There's no use practising with
just two members on the team. You can go back to the castle. Oh and
we're having tryouts tomorrow so make sure you're there!"
"I don't think you will be!" Came a loud voice from behind. Derrick Boot, Slytherin quidditch captain came over, followed by several other Slytherins one of them was Draco Malfoy.
"Oh I think we will be!" Snapped Katie glaring at Derrick. "We booked the quidditch pitch for Friday evening!"
"Well so did we." Smirked Derrick. "Professor Snape gave us permission ages ago."
"I'll speak to McGonnagal about this!" Said Katie and stormed back to the castle.
Harry trooped up to the Gryffindor common room to find Ginny and Dean sitting in squashy armchairs in the corner, a group of fourth years battling through their homework and a couple of first year girls chatting about their fist few weeks at Hogwarts. He was disappointed to see that there was no sign of Ron and Hermione.
"I thought he was with you," Ginny said when Harry came over to their table. "Doing quidditch."
"Yeah, me too but he didn't turn up." Said Harry thoughtfully. "Are you going to try out for chaser Ginny."
"She is," said Dean grinning. "She won't shut up about it!" Ginny blushed.
"I thought it would be quite fun," she said. "Well Charlie, Fred, George and Ron were all on the team. Ron still is."
"Is he?" Asked Dean looking surprised. "I thought he'd resigned."
"I'll go and look for him." Said Harry and left Dean and Ginny.
He thought he knew exactly where Ron would be. He reached the quidditch pitch to find Ron flying low round the pitch looking miserable. "Why weren't you at practise?" Harry asked.
Ron landed his broom. "I didn't feel like it." He said shortly.
"I'll help you practise if you like." Harry said encouragingly.
They spent a whole hour together; Harry throwing red quaffles at Ron who just managed to block the first two, but let the third slip through the ring.
"That's much better!" Harry grinned at him when they finished. They headed back to the castle but as they went, Harry had a feeling he was being watched. Night was beginning to fall and he spun around to find that once again, Anna Chang had been following him. What now? He thought as Anna ran up to him.
"Hi Harry!" She said excitedly. "I'd like to play quidditch but I'm not much good and first years aren't allowed."
"What are you doing in the grounds?" Harry asked her bewildered.
"Oh I was just walking." Said Anna, but Harry had the impression that once again she was keeping something from him.
"Er, right." Said Harry. He turned and began to follow Ron.
"Potter!" Came a loud drawling voice from near a clump of bushes. Harry turned to see Draco Malfoy approach them. Ron glared. "What are you doing here?" Malfoy asked nastily. "Setting up a fan club?"
"Where's the loyal sidekick?" Ron asked looking round for Piers. "Or the body guards?" But Crabbe and Goyle weren't there either. "Or have you just been meeting up with your girlfriend?" He looked round at Anna who was glaring at Ron.
"I'm not his girlfriend!" Snapped Anna. "Why can't I meet Draco?"
"C'mon." Said Harry to Ron and the pair of them headed to the castle together.
"I didn't know that girl's in league with Malfoy!" Said Ron as they ascended the stairs to the Gryffindor common room. "She's weird."
"Yeah, I suppose." Said Harry. It was true that Anna's behaviour was rather strange. Why had she planned to meet Malfoy in secret at 9 o-clock at night, when even sixth years weren't allowed out of their house common rooms at that hour?
"It is odd though," said Ron scratching his head, "You'd think she and Cho were more alike, but she looks more like..."
"Sirius." Said Harry finishing Ron's sentence. Ron fell silent and they didn't speak to each other as the climbed the last flight of stairs to the common room.
"She was what?" Said Hermione next morning in the great hall.
"Yeah, meeting Malfoy." Said Harry.
"But why? What were they doing?" Hermione asked sounding shocked.
"I dunno!" Said Harry. "Why don't you ask her?"
"Ask who?" Neville had just arrive looking surprisingly tired.
"Never mind." Said Harry.
Neville looked hurt. "No one ever tells me stuff." He said miserably and moved away. Harry's attention was distracted however, by a snowy white owl coming soaring towards him.
"Hedwig!" Harry yelled excitedly as she came in to land next to Harry's glass of pumpkin juice. He ripped open the letter she carried and read:
Dear Harry,
I hope you have had a good first few weeks back at Hogwarts. I'm writing this letter to alert you. Remember, be careful who you put all your trust into at Hogwarts. This year, there are many students you do not want to be bonding with. I received this information from the ministry. Someone let it slip at work. Tell Ron and Hermione (though I'm sure there will be no need, as this should reach you in the great hall at breakfast) what I have said and Ron, Molly is sending you a new pair of socks.
Arthur Weasley.
"I wonder who we can't trust at Hogwarts." Said Ron who had just read the letter over Harry's shoulder. "I bet it's Polkiss."
"I don't think so." Said Hermione looking thoughtful.
"Why?" Asked Harry and Ron together.
"Well I was very surprised when I found out that Piers had been put in Slytherin."
"Why?" Said Harry looking surprised. "He's Slytherin material!"
"Oh Harry!" Snapped Hermione sounding exasperated. "It's not your personality that counts! That's just a mere fraction. It's what you want. Why do you think Wormtail got put in Gryffindor?"
Harry had forgotten about this. Peter Petigrew; Voldermort's servant had indeed been a Gryffindor.
"You see?" Hermione said. "It doesn't mean all Gryffindors are against the dark side. So it will mean that not all Slytherins are with the dark side!"
"So you're saying," said Harry thoughtfully, "that even Piers Polkiss could turn out to even defeat you-know-who."
"Yes," said Hermione. You do get good, kind Slytherins just like you get bad, evil Gryff - "
"No way." Said Ron laughing. "Piers Polkiss! A good, kind Slytherin!"
"Oh Ron!" Snapped Hermione." You only judge people by what they're like on the outside! You never know, his sister could turn out in Gryffindor. I wouldn't be surprised actually. That's what she wants."
"How d'you know that?" Ron looked amazed.
"Well I have met them you know. In Diagonally in my first year. My parents and Mr and Mrs Polkiss got friendly, as they're both muggles. They received a letter from Durmstrang, not Hogwarts. Even though that's the nearest school. They were really surprised when they got the letter but of course Piers was really excited. I told his sister Amanda all about the Hogwarts houses and she said she wanted to be in Gryffindor."
"How did she know though." Said Ron sounding disbelieving. "She would have been two."
"Three Ron." Said Hermione. And I bet the only reason Piers got put in Slytherin was because that's where Malfoy was and Malfoy, being the first to talk to him, was the closest to a friend he had at the time. It seemed odd to me because he was in the equivalent of Gryffindor when he was at Durmstrang."
"So if we'd been the first to talk to him, he could have been put in Gryffindor?" Ron said still sounding a little disbelieving.
"Maybe." Said Hermione thoughtfully.
Harry thought about this conversation all the way to the quidditch pitch that evening. It really didn't make much sense. Piers was a natural Slytherin. He had bullied him at primary school, was best friends with Dudley, and Harry really would be surprised if his younger sister turned out to be a Gryffindor. Hermione's face popped up in his mind, 'people change' it said as it spun round.
"Where've you been?" Katie asked him as he arrived at the quidditch pitch. She was sounding annoyed.
"Look, you're lucky I'm here at all." Harry muttered. It was true, last year he had been in his detention with Umbridge whilst quidditch tryouts had been taking place.
But Katie just glowered and turned her back on him, leaving him free to slip of to the changing rooms and change into his scarlet Gryffindor quidditch robes.
Ron was already there. "When did you get here?" Harry asked him as he fidgeted with a loose piece of thread coming of the sleeve of his quidditch robes.
"I was practising." He said dully.
Five minutes later, the few remaining Gryffindors we all flying about in the air. Madam Hooch had just arrived and was deep in conversation with Katie. "Ok," Shouted Katie as Madam Hooch turned and went to sit in the stands. "Let's try Ivan Edgerly and William Shakklebolt as beaters." Harry recognised the name Shakklebolt. Kingsley Shakklebolt was in the Order, and the conductor of the knight bus was also a Shakklebolt. William must be his brother.
The two fourth year boys mounted their brooms and kicked off. Ivan Edgerly wasn't much good but William Shakklebolt was great. He managed to hit away every single bludger that approached him, even at the end he had no injuries.
"You'd better take him to the hospital wing." Said Katie sounding slightly worried. The two boys landed. Ivan Edgerly looked as though he'd broken his wrist where the bludger had hit it. "Now lets try..."
The next two beaters weren't bad. Kevin Atley managed to hit two bludgers, but got hit by the third and Dennis Creevy hit three but dodged the fourth. Katie looked impressed. She and Madam Hooch were deep in conversation again.
Next they tried the chasers. Ginny Weasley and Rose Aladrin. Ginny was excellent but Rose seemed a bit nervous of breaking a nail so her catches weren't too good.
Next were Susanna Fry and Emily Endinton. They were both quite good. Harry watched vaguely as Susanna passed the quaffle to Katie who scored and as Emily caught it off Katie and managed to score herself. A loud "Potter!" Jerked him back to his senses. The snitch was hovering centimetres away from his left hand. He grabbed it and shoved it in his pocket where it beat its tiny wings furiously as it tried to escape.
The next two chasers weren't much good they both managed to drop the ball at least once each. At last, Katie and Madam Hooch could be seen talking again. After about five minutes they seem to have made a decision because Katie blew her whistle and everyone watched excitedly. "Ok," said Katie as everyone fell silent. "You were all great. We've got William Shakklebolt and Dennis Creevy as beaters." William and Dennis punched the air, Ivan Edgerly looked disappointed but Kevin Atley merely shrugged and got off his broom. "And the chasers," Katie continued, "will be Ginny Weasley, and Emily Endinton." Everyone cheered as she said Ginny's name. Harry and Ron flew down to congratulate her. There was a much bigger disappointment with the students who tried out for chaser and didn't get it. Harry could see a couple of them crying and the rest looked over enviously at Ginny and Emily who were in the centre of a crowd along with William and Dennis.
Harry and Ron said well done to the new Gryffindor quidditch team members and slowly made their way back up to the castle. Ginny hurried up to them from behind. "Hi," She said. She was smiling and looking very pleased with herself.
"Hi," said Harry grinning at her. "Well done you were great!"
"Yeah," said Ron but not sounding quite as enthusiastic as Harry. "Yeah, well done Ginny." Ginny smiled and slipped off away from the castle.
They were just about to enter the castle when Harry saw that the light in Hagrid's cabin were on.
"Ron!" Hissed Harry pointing at it. "Hagrid's back!"
The pair of them ran towards it. When they arrived, they were surprised to hear that Hagrid was talking to someone. It wasn't Hermione. It was two people. They knocked and at once, Hagrid stopped talking. "Jus' comin'!" He called and moments later, Hagrid's face appeared. Ron and Harry jumped.
"Hagrid, what have you done?" Harry asked, looking at all the fresh new cuts and bruises on his face. "You haven't been on another journey have you?"
"Ah, no." Said Hagrid gruffly, smiling at them. "So, how are you two then? Where's Hermione?"
"We came from the quidditch pitch." Said Ron. "Who were you talking to Hagrid?" He tried to enter but Hagrid was taking up the whole door.
"Oh, I wasn't talking to anyone," He said trying to sound casual.
"Give it up Hagrid," Said Ron with a sigh. "Let us in." He slipped through and stood completely still for a moment. Harry followed him and saw what Ron was staring at. Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley were sitting on Hagrid's kitchen table, legs swinging.
"Hi." Said Ginny uncertainly.
"What are you doing here Ginny?" Asked Ron sounding confused.
"We just came for a chat." Said Ginny defiantly. Harry looked at Luna who was gazing out of the window and didn't seem to have noticed Harry and Ron had entered.
"Oh, hello." Said Luna, turning her head to face them.
There was a knock on the door. "Oh, I'll get it." Said Ron hurrying to the door, but Hagrid got there first.
"Oh, 'ello Hermione!" He said smiling at Her. Hermione came in, thinking it better not to mention the new cuts on Hagrid's face.
"Have I come at a bad time?" Said Hermione catching sight of Ginny and Luna.
"Oh, no, no." Said Hagrid nervously. "Erm, Ginny and, Luna isn't it? Came round to say hi."
"Oh, look at the time." Said Ginny sounding annoyed and looking at an imaginary watch. "We'd better get back to the castle. Come on Luna." She grabbed Luna by the wrist and stormed out.
"So," said Ron looking glad Ginny and Luna had left them alone to talk to Hagrid. "What have you been doing then?"
"Oh fine, Ok I'll tell yer. Yer'd find out anyway." Said Hagrid sitting down in an armchair. "Well, did yer read that article 'bout the giant and old Umbridge?"
"Yes..." Said Harry who thought he knew what was coming next.
"Well, you know they meant old Grawpy?" Hagrid said, blowing his nose on an old brownish handkerchief. "Well, I had to do somethin'" Tears were now pouring down Hagrid's vast, bearded face. "So, I, I took yer advice Hermione. I returned him to his natural environment. I think he was happy to go. Yer know, he went willingly."
Hermione gave Hagrid a look of sympathy. "Well, you did the right thing Hagrid," She said, standing on tiptoes so she could pat him on the back. "I'm sure he's really happy."
"Yer think so?" Hagrid said smiling at her.
"I'm sure of it." Said Hermione firmly.
"How did you get past that shield thing the ministry put round Grawp any way?" Ron asked curiously.
"Ah, the ministry don't know nothin' they don't." Said Hagrid, gazing out of the window as though hoping to see Grawp come staggering towards his cabin.
"Well, you don't have to hide anything now, so that's - "
Hagrid turned away from the window, looking nervous. "Erm, no, I er, don't have anythin' to er - "
"Hagrid?" Asked Ron suspiciously. "What are you hiding from us?"
"Is it something to do with Loony – er, Luna and Ginny?" Harry asked sounding puzzled.
"Erm, oh no, they jus' came fer a chat." Said Hagrid. "You'd better get back to the castle before it gets dark."
"Yeah, ok." Said Harry, knowing they wouldn't get any more out of Hagrid.
Hermione followed Harry out of the cabin, pulling Ron after her, as he was very reluctant to leave.
"I'll be seein' yer," Hagrid called after them as they headed back to the castle.
"I wonder what Hagrid's hiding from us?" Said Ron scratching his head. "I bet anything it is to do with old Loony Lovegood and Ginny. Let's see if we can get anything out of them."
"ATCHOO!" Harry, Ron and Hermione turned.
"What was that?" Hermione asked sounding shocked.
"I dunno!" Said Ron and Harry.
"It came from the forest!" Said Hermione, "but there can't be anyone there, it's out of bounds."
"You never know," said Harry, "I wonder who it could be."
"Shall we go and see?" Asked Ron excitedly and He, Harry and Hermione headed for the forest at a run.
"ATCHOO!"
"Let's go in," said Harry as they arrived at the forest.
"It might be a centaur!" Said Ron sounding enthusiastic.
"No Ron," Said Hermione sounding a bit nervous as the silently progressed into the forest. "Centaurs don't sneeze."
They were quite far into the forest by now and the surroundings were starting to darken.
"Ouch!" Said Ron as he landed splat on the muddy ground. "That root tripped me up." They looked down but it was too dark to see anything.
"Lumos!" Said Harry and Hermione together. The light from their wands illuminated a large green, plant.
"Oh! Devils snare!" Said Hermione. They had come across this particular plant in their search for the Philosophers stone in their first year. "Better keep away from it. Eugh! Unicorn blood!" She lifted up her foot. It was covered in a pure, silvery liquid. Then, without warning, Hermione gasped and her eyes glazed over.
"Hermione!" Ron and Harry dashed over to her; Ron's robes still specked with mud. Hermione was staring at something some twenty feet away from them. It was black and wearing a clock. It was breathing loudly. It seemed to be heading to the unicorn blood.
Ron waved his hand in front of Hermione's face. It seemed to jog Hermione to her senses. "Of course." She whispered, still standing completely still. "Unicorn blood."
Harry remembered. Unicorn blood would make the drinkers live forever, but it would be a cold, senseless life with no real purpose. He knew that Voldermort's death eaters were out searching for it. This cloaked figure must be one of them. "Hermione!" Yelled Harry. "Ron! Run!" Grabbing Hermione, he and Ron ran as fast as they could in the opposite direction. The forest was getting darker and darker. They must be in the heart of it by now. They heard a howl, they stopped running and Harry felt the hairs on the back of his neck stick up.
"Werewolves." Ron whispered.
Hermione looked around fearfully. "No, don't be silly Ron," she said in a very high pitched voice quite unlike her own.
ATCHOO!
"Who's there?" Harry shouted.
"Harry! Be quiet!" Hissed Hermione.
They heard a gallop of hooves and suddenly found themselves surrounded by centaurs. "Oh no!" Whispered Hermione. "Oh no, oh no!"
"What are you doing in our forest young humans!" Barked a centaur approaching them. Harry could see that the speaker was none other than Baine. A centaur he had met in his first year.
"Er, we were just - " Began Hermione.
"We got lost." Said Harry staring at the centaur, willing himself not to blink.
"Indeed." Said an old centaur, coming forward from its fellows, standing face to face with them. Ron and Hermione retreated back but Harry stood his ground.
"Let's attack!" Roared a young centaur towards the end of the pack.
"No, Janitae." Said the old centaur. "We do not attack innocent fouls."
"But - " Spluttered the young centaur. "They have no right to be here."
"Be that as it may," the old centaur continued. "We shall not harm them."
"But, Baine!" Janitae turned to him. "What do you think?"
"I cannot argue," said Baine bitterly. "I do not have the right to. You may progress." He said to Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"Thanks," said Harry. There was a stamp of hooves and several centaurs moved so they could pass through.
Harry turned to Ron and Hermione. Ron seemed lost for words but Hermione said, "Harry, that was much too risky. Let's go back."
ATCHOO!
"We can't." Said Harry. "We need to help who ever it is in here and we've got this far. Anyway, I think we're nearly there."
They hurried towards the noise and eventually, they found two, very thick trees, they had odd patterns in their bark though. On closer look, Harry saw that they had spirals imprinted in them. There was a circle of these trees, but looking round, they found a smallish gap between two, that Ron, Harry and Hermione managed to squeeze through. Harry gasped. It was a large clearing, but it was obvious someone had been there. He looked up and saw a large piece of black material with yellow star patterns, many large logs like benches, toadstools made out of wood and painted, and in the middle of the clearing, was a large patch of old carpet with about six enormous umbrellas around it. ATCHOO! It was coming from the umbrellas.
"C'mon," Harry whispered to Ron and Hermione. The three of them approached the tent of umbrellas and searched for an opening. There was a small gap between two of them which Harry peered through. To his amazement saw a figure sitting amongst the open umbrellas reading a magazine. The figure looked up at the gap in her den and saw Harry. "Oh, Hello." It was Luna Lovegood! "ATCHOO!" She sneezed. "I think I'm allergic to gilly weed!" She said unnecessarily.
"Luna!" Gasped Harry pulling away one of the abnormally large umbrellas so Ron and Hermione could join him. "What are you doing here? Do you know how dangerous it is? What do you mean you're allergic to Gilly weed?"
"Oh, I'm just reading." She held up the Quibbler magazine she was reading. "It's not as good now that Daddy's not the editor any more. Oh, didn't you know? Gilly weeds like to grow here. They're such a pain!"
Harry looked round and saw a large purple green bush growing what looked like slimy cabbages, but what Harry recognised as Gilly Weed, a plant that would enable anyone to breathe underwater.
"I eat them when I get hungry." Said Luna smiling vaguely.
"Luna!" Said Harry sounding shocked. "Do you know what they do?"
"Oh yes." Smiled Luna. "That's why I've got that." She pointed over at a small green pond.
Hermione seemed to have recovered from the shock of seeing Luna Lovegood sitting amongst half a dozen umbrellas, reading a magazine in the middle of the forbidden forest. "Luna, the forbidden forest really is a dangerous place, and it's out of bounds! How often do you come here? Don't you get attacked by centaurs."
"It's not dangerous," Luna looked Hermione straight in the eye with her large, blue ones. "I don't care if it's out of bounds. I come here every day and the centaurs don't attack me."
"Well as a prefect - " Hermione began, but Luna let out a large, false yawn.
"This is where I live Hermione." Said Luna. "I see Hagrid a lot. He knows. ATCHOO! Oh, I'm never going to eat another Gilly Weed for as long as I live!"