Chapter 3: Worry
Harry was still feeling terribly woozy and was certain he'd have fainted awhile ago if he weren't being supported by Ron and Hermione. His knees buckled again, causing Hermione to wrap her arm around his waist.
"It's OK, we've got you," she said gently. "Why don't we sit down for a second?" It'll give you a chance to get your bearings back."
Harry merely nodded, allowing Ron and Hermione to settle him on the nearest rock.
"Harry, you're stark white!" cried, Ron, as though he'd just noticed.
Hermione nodded, deciding to spare Harry speaking as she knew he must be drained. "He's probably lost a lot of blood," she reasoned. "Bowtruckles can be quite vicious under the right circumstances." Suddenly, she turned to Harry, asking, "Did you provoke them?"
Harry shook his head, taking his first full breath since Ron and Hermione had found him. "No. I don't know what happened," he admitted honestly. "I was on my way back from practicing in the Quidditch pitch, and I decided to take the long way around so I could enjoy the fresh air a little longer, and all of a sudden, twenty bowtruckles came out of nowhere as I was walking behind Hagrid's hut. I tried to walk around them, but they attacked me anyhow. I tried to Stun some of them, but before I could, I realized they'd stolen my wand."
Hearing this, Hermione said, "Accio Wand." Moments later, Harry's wand came flying toward him. He caught it, stowing it in his robes, and continued after smiling sheepishly at Hermione.
"Grawp heard me screaming and came to help me. He fought the bowtruckles off and got a few deep scratches in the process. When we were sure they were gone, he said, "Harry hurt. I bring you Hagger?" I nodded, and he helped me up, but when we got to Hagrid's, we realized he wasn't home, but before either of us could speak again, I fell, and his reflexes weren't quick enough to catch me, and that's how you two found me. Say, how did you two find me?"
Ron and Hermione smiled.
"You can thank Hedwig for that," Hermione said softly, indicating the snowy owl, who was hanging back a bit. "She came through my window this morning, and when I asked her if you were in trouble, she hooted. We followed her here."
Harry clicked his tongue, calling to Hedwig, who immediately flew onto his shoulder.
"Thanks, Hedwig," he said, stroking her.
She clicked her beak affectionately.
"Can you get up?" asked Hermione gently.
Harry nodded as she put her arm around his waist. Ron took his left hand, and together, they helped him back up to the castle.
