CHAPTER 18
The end of term was rapidly approaching. The whole of Gryffindor house was in high spirits towards the middle of December. Most of them were out in the grounds one snowy Tuesday evening. "You really should be getting some work done you know." Said Hermione disapprovingly as Ron lunged another snowball at Harry who ducked. Hermione was sitting under a large tree, reading through her History of magic notes. She was not the only one not joining in with the festivities though. Luna Lovegood was sitting on one of the thicker branches of the tree Hermione was under, glaring down at the students ice skating on the lake, having a snowball war or (in Colin and Dennis Creevey's case) trying to bewitch lumps of snow to attack their opponent.
"Luna?" Harry looked up. He had not noticed her. Two large snowballs had hit him in the back of the head, thrown by Ginny and Ron.
"Oh, hello Harry." Said Luna, looking down at him. "I find snowball fights rather childish really." She sniffed almost as disapprovingly as Hermione had done moments before. "No I don't want to thanks." She spat at a Ravenclaw fifth year who had just aimed a snowball at her.
"Harry! Harry look! We've...AHHH!" Harry turned. Apparently the giant squid that lived in the lake had had enough. It poked its head out, breaking the ice and causing the students to scatter. Dennis Creevy had just managed to bewitch a snowball to fly continuously at his brother who was frantically jerking his head from side to side in hope that he would dodge them.
"I think I'll go back inside." Said Luna, watching the giant squid retreat into the lake. She jumped off the branch she was sitting on, causing the tree to shake a pile of snow onto Hermione History of magic book.
"That's it!" Roared Hermione, trying to shake the snow off her notes. "I'm going inside too!" She and Luna vanished from sight, into the castle.
"Why is she so grumpy?" Asked Dennis hurrying over before his brother could shoot another snowball. "It almost Christmas!" He jumped up in the air, slipped on the snow and landed flat on his stomach. Harry grinned at Ginny as he scrambled to his feet. "Well it is!" He said Indignantly. Harry smiled and turned to look at the castle. The curtains of the window in the Gryffindor common room had just been yanked firmly closed.
"Peeves no!" Came a squeal from the lake. Dennis jumped up excitedly and dashed back to where Peeves was trying to melt the snow. Three large heaters had just been placed round the lake.
"Get the batteries!" Came Dennis' frustrated voice.
"There are none you muggle!" Snapped a girl with a blond ponytail, and who Harry recognised to be Hannah Abbot. "Wizard heaters don't have batteries!"
"I should get some work done too." Said Ginny thoughtfully, gazing up at the Gryffindor common room, where the crimson curtains were still firmly shut. "You know, I think I'll go and keep Hermione company," and she too vanished into the castle.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing you!" Said Ingrid as she staggered over to him, clutching two large trunks.
Harry was gazing out of the window at Hedwig, soaring about happily. It did not make him happy to watch her though; she would be in the process of delivering a letter to Sirius this time last year. She didn't often get a chance to deliver many letters anymore. "Oh sorry," said Harry turning to face Ingrid. "Yeah, me too."
"Are you bringing them?" Ron came over with his own trunk. He jerked his head in the direction of where Andrew Evans and William Shakklebolt were having a game of gobstones.
"Of course," smiled Ingrid turning to look at Ron. "If it weren't for William we wouldn't be coming at all, and I'd hardly leave Andrew would I?"
"Ha! I win! Third time in a row! Let's play again!" Shrieked William Shakklebolt from the table they were playing gobstones at."
"No way, you cheated." Came Andrew's dulcet tones."
"I did not you liar!" William retorted. "Three times in a row as well! You just can't admit you're bad at gobstones!"
"Oh yeah?" Andrew and William were both on their feet now, glaring at each other.
Ingrid hurried over to make peace. "Come on you two, we need to get the train! It'll be leaving soon!" It was true, they, Ron, Harry and Hermione were the only ones left in the common room now. Ingrid stuffed the game into her rucksack and she, Andrew and William left the common room.
"Come on." Harry nudged Ron and Hermione. The three of them left the castle. It was bitterly cold. There were still traces of snow, but there were now three large green patches where Peeves had succeeded in melting it. They boarded the thestral pulled carriages and arrived at Hogsmeade station, scarlet stream train glistening before them. The Hogwarts express!
The pack of students piled on, tripping over each other's robes in order to get good seats. "Ouch! You stepped on my foot!" or "Owww! That was my hand you just got trapped in the door!" Could be heard throughout the train.
"I hope Ginny saves gets us good seats." Muttered Ron, looking around.
"Sorry," came Ginny's breathless voice. "I've only just got here!"
"There's only one carriage with seats left." Said Neville; he too was left standing. "And, well we don't want to sit there, but I suppose it's that or nothing." He gestured at a carriage towards the end of the train.
Harry opened the door. It was full of hearty chortles. The noise stopped when he entered. "What is it potter?" Said Draco Malfoy. "Can't find a seat?"
"Yes, that's the problem," said Ginny. "Can we sit here?" She issued at the four vacant chairs.
Malfoy looked at Pierres who grinned. "Yeah, ok." Said Malfoy eventually. Harry knew only too well that he didn't want to put his prefect badge at any risk.
"Thanks." Said Ginny taking a seat. "Oh, hello Anna." She looked across the compartment at Anna Chang who was gazing out of the window. "I didn't see you."
"Hello Ginny." Said Anna, turning to stare at her. "Had anymore luck with the Protentius charm?"
"Er," Ginny looked uncomfortable. "What Protentius charm?"
"You know the one." Said Anna, not a trace of a smile on her pale face.
"No, I don't." Snapped Ginny firmly.
Anna shrugged and left the compartment. The train began to move. "So Potter," Malfoy began. "Heard anymore from the great, giant?"
"Do you mean Hagrid!" Ron exclaimed unnecessarily.
"Oh, they're on speaking terms with it!" Drawled Malfoy, turning to see if what he'd said had provided entertainment for Pierres.
Pierres however raised an eyebrow and looked at Harry, he opened his mouth, but before he could get a word out, Ingrid came in.
"Hi Ingrid." Harry said, "where's your brother?"
"Yes! It worked!" Squealed Ingrid.
"What worked?" Ginny asked frowning.
"Oh, just something I've been practising." Said Ingrid, and left the compartment."
"That was very suspicious." Hermione said frowning and looking thoughtful. "Very suspicious indeed."
"So," Malfoy continued, "any more of Potter's fans going to disturb us this train journey or shall I leave the compartment?" He nudged Goyle who let out a grunt of laughter.
"Leave the compartment." Said Ron, Harry, Hermione and Ginny together.
Malfoy glared. "You wouldn't have any friends at all if you weren't famous Potter."
"Oh yeah?" Ron said bracing himself for a fight.
"Ron!" Hermione hissed. "Sit down! Well you - " she said looking at Malfoy. "You're just jealous because Harry's good on a broom and has friends – and you – you've just got followers because you live in a mansion!"
Malfoy went very pale. "I'm not jealous of Potter's fame." He said trying to make it sound as though it were true. "Don't confuse me with Longbottom."
"Neville?" Hermione gasped, Harry on the other hand, fell silent. Had Neville all along wished that out of the two people Voldermort was going to try and, murder, it had been him? Could Neville really wish for what Harry had?
"Yes, Longbottom." Said Malfoy, satisfied. "One of your number one fans Potter. One of your number one fans." He repeated.
Harry didn't pause to think, he got up and left the compartment, leaving the door open, and Malfoy's continuous voice drawling on. "Neville," he said flinging open a door near the front of the train. "You don't want to be me." Neville was sitting by the window, along with Dean, Seamus and a few seventh years playing wizard chess who turned to frown at Harry as though he had interrupted them when they had been doing something very important.
"I – I um don't really - " Neville muttered to the ground.
"Because honestly Neville, you don't want to." Harry turned and left the compartment.
"He's just been to talk to himself again." Said Malfoy loudly when he heard Harry's footsteps drawing near. "Or, to visit Loony Lovegood!" Harry heard four loud chortles and three angry responses. Harry continued to walk.
He went to the end of the train. There was a thin corridor by the end compartment. Harry paused, but curiosity getting the better of him, slipped away into the corridor.
The end of term was rapidly approaching. The whole of Gryffindor house was in high spirits towards the middle of December. Most of them were out in the grounds one snowy Tuesday evening. "You really should be getting some work done you know." Said Hermione disapprovingly as Ron lunged another snowball at Harry who ducked. Hermione was sitting under a large tree, reading through her History of magic notes. She was not the only one not joining in with the festivities though. Luna Lovegood was sitting on one of the thicker branches of the tree Hermione was under, glaring down at the students ice skating on the lake, having a snowball war or (in Colin and Dennis Creevey's case) trying to bewitch lumps of snow to attack their opponent.
"Luna?" Harry looked up. He had not noticed her. Two large snowballs had hit him in the back of the head, thrown by Ginny and Ron.
"Oh, hello Harry." Said Luna, looking down at him. "I find snowball fights rather childish really." She sniffed almost as disapprovingly as Hermione had done moments before. "No I don't want to thanks." She spat at a Ravenclaw fifth year who had just aimed a snowball at her.
"Harry! Harry look! We've...AHHH!" Harry turned. Apparently the giant squid that lived in the lake had had enough. It poked its head out, breaking the ice and causing the students to scatter. Dennis Creevy had just managed to bewitch a snowball to fly continuously at his brother who was frantically jerking his head from side to side in hope that he would dodge them.
"I think I'll go back inside." Said Luna, watching the giant squid retreat into the lake. She jumped off the branch she was sitting on, causing the tree to shake a pile of snow onto Hermione History of magic book.
"That's it!" Roared Hermione, trying to shake the snow off her notes. "I'm going inside too!" She and Luna vanished from sight, into the castle.
"Why is she so grumpy?" Asked Dennis hurrying over before his brother could shoot another snowball. "It almost Christmas!" He jumped up in the air, slipped on the snow and landed flat on his stomach. Harry grinned at Ginny as he scrambled to his feet. "Well it is!" He said Indignantly. Harry smiled and turned to look at the castle. The curtains of the window in the Gryffindor common room had just been yanked firmly closed.
"Peeves no!" Came a squeal from the lake. Dennis jumped up excitedly and dashed back to where Peeves was trying to melt the snow. Three large heaters had just been placed round the lake.
"Get the batteries!" Came Dennis' frustrated voice.
"There are none you muggle!" Snapped a girl with a blond ponytail, and who Harry recognised to be Hannah Abbot. "Wizard heaters don't have batteries!"
"I should get some work done too." Said Ginny thoughtfully, gazing up at the Gryffindor common room, where the crimson curtains were still firmly shut. "You know, I think I'll go and keep Hermione company," and she too vanished into the castle.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing you!" Said Ingrid as she staggered over to him, clutching two large trunks.
Harry was gazing out of the window at Hedwig, soaring about happily. It did not make him happy to watch her though; she would be in the process of delivering a letter to Sirius this time last year. She didn't often get a chance to deliver many letters anymore. "Oh sorry," said Harry turning to face Ingrid. "Yeah, me too."
"Are you bringing them?" Ron came over with his own trunk. He jerked his head in the direction of where Andrew Evans and William Shakklebolt were having a game of gobstones.
"Of course," smiled Ingrid turning to look at Ron. "If it weren't for William we wouldn't be coming at all, and I'd hardly leave Andrew would I?"
"Ha! I win! Third time in a row! Let's play again!" Shrieked William Shakklebolt from the table they were playing gobstones at."
"No way, you cheated." Came Andrew's dulcet tones."
"I did not you liar!" William retorted. "Three times in a row as well! You just can't admit you're bad at gobstones!"
"Oh yeah?" Andrew and William were both on their feet now, glaring at each other.
Ingrid hurried over to make peace. "Come on you two, we need to get the train! It'll be leaving soon!" It was true, they, Ron, Harry and Hermione were the only ones left in the common room now. Ingrid stuffed the game into her rucksack and she, Andrew and William left the common room.
"Come on." Harry nudged Ron and Hermione. The three of them left the castle. It was bitterly cold. There were still traces of snow, but there were now three large green patches where Peeves had succeeded in melting it. They boarded the thestral pulled carriages and arrived at Hogsmeade station, scarlet stream train glistening before them. The Hogwarts express!
The pack of students piled on, tripping over each other's robes in order to get good seats. "Ouch! You stepped on my foot!" or "Owww! That was my hand you just got trapped in the door!" Could be heard throughout the train.
"I hope Ginny saves gets us good seats." Muttered Ron, looking around.
"Sorry," came Ginny's breathless voice. "I've only just got here!"
"There's only one carriage with seats left." Said Neville; he too was left standing. "And, well we don't want to sit there, but I suppose it's that or nothing." He gestured at a carriage towards the end of the train.
Harry opened the door. It was full of hearty chortles. The noise stopped when he entered. "What is it potter?" Said Draco Malfoy. "Can't find a seat?"
"Yes, that's the problem," said Ginny. "Can we sit here?" She issued at the four vacant chairs.
Malfoy looked at Pierres who grinned. "Yeah, ok." Said Malfoy eventually. Harry knew only too well that he didn't want to put his prefect badge at any risk.
"Thanks." Said Ginny taking a seat. "Oh, hello Anna." She looked across the compartment at Anna Chang who was gazing out of the window. "I didn't see you."
"Hello Ginny." Said Anna, turning to stare at her. "Had anymore luck with the Protentius charm?"
"Er," Ginny looked uncomfortable. "What Protentius charm?"
"You know the one." Said Anna, not a trace of a smile on her pale face.
"No, I don't." Snapped Ginny firmly.
Anna shrugged and left the compartment. The train began to move. "So Potter," Malfoy began. "Heard anymore from the great, giant?"
"Do you mean Hagrid!" Ron exclaimed unnecessarily.
"Oh, they're on speaking terms with it!" Drawled Malfoy, turning to see if what he'd said had provided entertainment for Pierres.
Pierres however raised an eyebrow and looked at Harry, he opened his mouth, but before he could get a word out, Ingrid came in.
"Hi Ingrid." Harry said, "where's your brother?"
"Yes! It worked!" Squealed Ingrid.
"What worked?" Ginny asked frowning.
"Oh, just something I've been practising." Said Ingrid, and left the compartment."
"That was very suspicious." Hermione said frowning and looking thoughtful. "Very suspicious indeed."
"So," Malfoy continued, "any more of Potter's fans going to disturb us this train journey or shall I leave the compartment?" He nudged Goyle who let out a grunt of laughter.
"Leave the compartment." Said Ron, Harry, Hermione and Ginny together.
Malfoy glared. "You wouldn't have any friends at all if you weren't famous Potter."
"Oh yeah?" Ron said bracing himself for a fight.
"Ron!" Hermione hissed. "Sit down! Well you - " she said looking at Malfoy. "You're just jealous because Harry's good on a broom and has friends – and you – you've just got followers because you live in a mansion!"
Malfoy went very pale. "I'm not jealous of Potter's fame." He said trying to make it sound as though it were true. "Don't confuse me with Longbottom."
"Neville?" Hermione gasped, Harry on the other hand, fell silent. Had Neville all along wished that out of the two people Voldermort was going to try and, murder, it had been him? Could Neville really wish for what Harry had?
"Yes, Longbottom." Said Malfoy, satisfied. "One of your number one fans Potter. One of your number one fans." He repeated.
Harry didn't pause to think, he got up and left the compartment, leaving the door open, and Malfoy's continuous voice drawling on. "Neville," he said flinging open a door near the front of the train. "You don't want to be me." Neville was sitting by the window, along with Dean, Seamus and a few seventh years playing wizard chess who turned to frown at Harry as though he had interrupted them when they had been doing something very important.
"I – I um don't really - " Neville muttered to the ground.
"Because honestly Neville, you don't want to." Harry turned and left the compartment.
"He's just been to talk to himself again." Said Malfoy loudly when he heard Harry's footsteps drawing near. "Or, to visit Loony Lovegood!" Harry heard four loud chortles and three angry responses. Harry continued to walk.
He went to the end of the train. There was a thin corridor by the end compartment. Harry paused, but curiosity getting the better of him, slipped away into the corridor.