A/N: FYI - If you didn't already know, the magical creature studied by the students in this chapter belongs to JKR. I found it in Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them. I can not and will not take credit for their creation, as they, and these wonderful characters, all belong to the fabulous Jo Rowling. Thank you, Jo, for creating such a wonderful world, and allowing us to play in it!
Chapter 13 - Discoveries
"Wake up, Harry."
Harry groaned and crammed his pillow over his head.
Ron pulled the hangings around Harry's bed open and yanked the pillow from Harry.
"Come on! You said you wanted to get to class early to talk to Hagrid," Ron whispered, not wanting to disturb the other boys in the dormitory.
Harry sighed. He, Ron and Hermione had discussed getting up early to visit Hagrid. They hadn't talked to him since they returned to school. Harry knew Hagrid would be disappointed if they didn't visit him. He rolled out of bed and stumbled to his dresser.
After Harry had met with Ginny on the Quidditch pitch the previous day, he had met up with Ron and Hermione in the common room. There, they helped him with the list of students that attended the DA meetings. Harry also jotted down the different spells he had taught them. By the time he was done with the list, he only had a few minutes to shovel down some food before meeting Professor Pandoran.
Their meeting had lasted nearly two hours. Professor Pandoran went through the list of students with Harry, adding additional notes as to how well Harry felt each student had mastered the various spells. Professor Pandoran had then asked Harry to demonstrate each of the tasks himself, and quizzed him on several theoretical aspects of defensive magic. She had also questioned him as to why there had been no Slytherins in the group. Harry had squirmed uncomfortably, but decided to answer truthfully; since the group had to be kept secret, they wanted to make sure that the students involved were trustworthy, and frankly, Harry did not know any Slytherins he felt he could trust.
Harry had left Professor Pandoran's office feeling more exhausted than he had after his Occlumency sessions with Dumbledore. He returned to the common room to find Ron and Hermione working on their Charms homework. Harry had joined them, finishing his homework shortly before midnight.
Harry pulled on his school robes yawning widely. He followed Ron down the stairs to the common room. Hermione was already there waiting for them.
"It's about time!" Hermione teased. She walked over to the portrait hole and led the way to the Great Hall.
They ate their breakfast quickly, and then headed out to Hagrid's hut. The sky was a clear, crystal blue and the grass sparkled as the bright sunshine glistened on the dew. They walked swiftly over the damp grass down the slope to Hagrid's hut. Ron pounded on Hagrid's door as Hermione shivered in the cool morning air.
The door swung open and Hagrid appeared, his black hair a tangled mess and a huge grin spreading across his face.
"Well, I was wonderin' when I'd see yeh three!" Hagrid said, stepping aside. "Come in. We'll have sum tea before class."
Harry, Ron and Hermione stepped into the warmth of Hagrid's hut. A huge fire was crackling and sending a warm glow across the room. They sat down at the table.
"Did you have a good summer, Hagrid?" Hermione asked.
"Can' complain, can' complain," Hagrid said, setting large, saucer-sized mugs of tea in front of them. "Ol' Dumbledore kep' me busy wi' this and that."
Hagrid sat down and leaned his elbows on the table, nearly upsetting all of their mugs. "An' you, Hermione? D'ya have a good summer?"
Hermione sipped her tea and smiled. "Yes. I spent most of it with Harry and Ron. It was great."
Hagrid's eyes moved to Harry. He cleared his throat. "How have yeh bin makin' out, Harry?"
Harry smiled as Hagrid looked at him worriedly. "I've been all right. I had a few rough spots over the summer, but these two and Ginny helped me along."
Hagrid nodded sadly and patted Ron on the shoulder, causing Ron to topple out of his chair. Hagrid did not notice, however, and continued talking as Ron clambered back into his seat. "I thought 'bout you over the summer, Harry. Was a bloody shame what happened to Sirius. Bloody shame."
Harry nodded and patted Hagrid's humongous arm. "Yes. We all miss him."
Hagrid sniffed loudly.
Harry's mind scrambled to find something else to talk about. "How has Grawp been?"
Hagrid smiled widely. "He's comin' along. He's much more agreeable now."
Harry, Ron and Hermione all exchanged glances. Hagrid had brought his half-brother, a giant, to the Forbidden Forest last year. Grawp had been anything but agreeable when Harry and Hermione had met him.
"Well, look at the time," Hagrid said. "Yeh'd better be headin' out. I'll meet yeh out there in a few minutes fer class."
Ron, Hermione and Harry drained their mugs of tea and returned to the crisp morning air. None of the other students had arrived yet.
"I wonder what he has planned for us today," Ron said, glancing around apprehensively.
Hagrid's idea of 'interestin' creatures' was quite different than the students'. Hagrid always had an affinity for creatures that most people would deem dangerous.
"I don't see any crates or anything," Hermione said.
Harry also glanced around. He turned back to his friends. "Maybe he's going to teach us how to take care of Grawp," Harry joked, while secretly hoping that Hagrid would not be that crazy.
Ron and Hermione looked nervously from Harry to the Forbidden Forest.
"You don't think --" Ron began, his eyes open wide.
"Don't be silly," Hermione said, trying to convince herself as much as the others. "Hagrid can't show Grawp to students. Grawp has to be kept a secret. Plus it wouldn't be safe for Grawp...or us."
Ron looked at Hermione skeptically, but the noise of students approaching caught his attention. A smirk came across his face.
"Hey, Harry! Here comes Parvati. You better pucker up!"
Harry punched Ron in the arm, setting Ron into a gleeful roar of laughter. Harry looked toward the castle and saw Parvati, Lavender, Neville, Dean, and Seamus, followed by a group of Slytherins, making their way down the hill towards Hagrid's hut. Harry hadn't seen Parvati since her odd behaviour at the end of Potions class yesterday. He watched her walking towards him and felt his stomach clench.
Harry moved his gaze from the approaching group of students to the ground before him. He had no idea how to react to Parvati's actions. He turned to Hermione.
"What should I do?" he whispered.
Hermione stared at him. "Do you like her?" she whispered back.
Harry glanced at Parvati, who was getting closer and closer. His stomach flipped nervously. It was the same way he had been reacting to Ginny lately. He was so confused. He turned to Hermione and shrugged.
Hermione studied Harry, her brows knitting together. Harry wished he could read her thoughts. She finally shrugged and said, "Well, I'd say you need to figure out if you like her or not. I would suggest talking to her."
"Talk to her about what?" Harry whispered frantically, as the group was nearly upon them.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Anything. Just talk to her like you talk to me. Honestly, Harry. Get a hold of yourself!"
Harry glanced at Ron who had been very unsuccessful in containing his laughter. Harry clamped his jaw tight, narrowed his eyes, and then raised his eyebrows at Ron and nodded his head toward Hermione. Ron's laughing ceased immediately as his face flushed scarlet. Harry grinned, satisfied.
"My, you three must have been up bright and early," Lavender said as the group approached Ron, Harry and Hermione.
Hermione smiled. "Yes. We were just down for a quick visit with Hagrid before class."
Harry heard Draco scoff and mutter something to his fellow Slytherins.
Neville glanced around nervously. "Any idea what Hagrid's teaching us today?" he asked, turning to Ron, Harry, and Hermione.
They didn't get a chance to answer as Hagrid burst out of his hut carrying his crossbow, with Fang, his boarhound, at his heels.
"Mornin' class," Hagrid said grinning broadly. "Good teh see yeh back fer another year."
The Gryffindor students smiled at Hagrid apprehensively. The Slytherins scowled.
"Now, where...?" Hagrid seemed to be scanning the grounds leading to the Forbidden Forest. "Ah! There they are!" Hagrid said happily.
The students followed Hagrid's gaze. Emerging from the Forbidden Forest were four security officials, dressed in heavy black cloaks, wands drawn. They nodded at Hagrid.
"Right. Le's go class," Hagrid said, leading the students toward the officials and the Forbidden Forest.
Ron threw Harry a panicked look. Harry felt his heartbeat quicken as he wondered what Hagrid had in store for them.
As they approached the security officials, Hagrid turned to the class. "Al'righ'. Wait 'ere fer a momen'."
Hagrid spoke quietly to the security officials, then returned to the students.
"Seems ter be in order. Come along."
Hagrid, along with two of the security officials, led the group of students into the forest. Harry noticed the other two security officials following the group from behind.
The students followed Hagrid in silence. Harry was happy to note that Hagrid seemed to be sticking to the path. Harry had strayed off the path enough times to know that they were less likely to meet anything too dangerous along the path.
Hagrid stopped walking and peered down into the low-lying bushes lining the path. He straightened up, faced the class and smiled.
"Righ' then. Today we'll be studyin' a new type o' creature. Mos' people are 'fraid of 'em, bu' really, they're jus' misunderstood."
The class stared at Hagrid, too frightened to speak.
Hagrid looked around nervously and cleared his throat. "Righ' then. Who can tell me what an Augurey is?"
Harry heard Hermione sigh in relief as her hand shot into the air.
"Hermione?" Hagrid called, smiling.
"An Augurey, also called the Irish Phoenix, is a small, vulture-like bird that only flies in heavy rain. It was believed that the Augurey's low cry foretold death, however it was later found that they simply sung as the rain approached," Hermione replied.
"Excellent, Hermione. Ten points ter Gryffindor," Hagrid beamed. "I discover'd this group of nests jus' th' other day."
Hagrid surveyed the students before him. "A'righ'. If yeh get inter pairs, there should be enough nests fer everyone to get a proper look. Fer the remainder of class, I'd like yeh ta sketch th' tiny birds an' their nests."
Harry hitched his school bag up on his shoulder and turned to see if Neville wanted to be his partner. However, he came face to face with Parvati.
Harry noticed Parvati blush deeply as her eyes darted to the forest floor.
Harry stood awkwardly in front of her for a moment, then remembered Hermione's advice. He took a deep breath.
"Do you want to be my partner, Parvati?" Harry asked.
Parvati's blush deepened as she lifted her eyes to meet Harry's. "Sure."
Harry smiled and led them away from the other groups of students and over to an empty stretch of low bushes. He carefully pushed the prickly brush aside, painfully aware of Parvati standing behind him. He scanned the bush, trying to find the Augureys. He then spotted a tear-shaped nest hidden deep in the brush.
"Look," Harry said, turning to Parvati. "I've found a nest."
Parvati leaned forward, her long, dark hair brushing Harry's arm. Harry noticed the floral scent of her as she leaned past him to peer into the nest.
She straightened herself and looked at Harry with her nose wrinkled. "They're ugly."
Harry laughed and leaned over the nest. He saw two, very sickly-looking, greenish black birds huddled in the nest. No wonder people thought these birds forewarned death, they looked so mournful.
Harry knelt on the ground beside the bush and turned to Parvati.
"I'll hold back the branches while you sketch, then we'll switch."
"Okay," Parvati said sitting down beside Harry. She pulled a piece of parchment, an ink bottle and a quill out of her bag and began drawing.
Harry observed Parvati as she worked. Her forehead was wrinkled in concentration, and occasionally, she bit her bottom lip as she drew. Her dark, brown eyes darted back and forth from the birds to her drawing. She is quite pretty, Harry observed.
She looked up and found Harry staring at her.
"What?" she asked, eyeing Harry curiously.
"Nothing," Harry said, darting his eyes away from her.
Parvati turned back to her sketch, added a few more details, and then set her quill down.
"There," she said, narrowing her eyes as she examined her work. She held it up for Harry to see. "What do you think?"
Harry stared at her sketch, rather impressed. She had drawn a sideview of the nest, capturing the tear-dropped shape perfectly. Beside that, she had drawn the nest from the top view, looking in. She had drawn the birds flawlessly. Harry expected to see them fly right off her page.
"Wow, Parvati. That's excellent," Harry said sincerely.
Parvati frowned. "Are you sure? They look awful."
Harry grinned. "They're supposed to look awful. They're ugly, remember?"
Parvati smiled and set her parchment on the ground. "Okay. Your turn."
Harry pulled his quill and a piece of parchment out of his bag and began drawing. He had just finished the nest when he felt Parvati staring at him. He looked up.
"What?" he asked.
Parvati jumped and darted her eyes away. "N-nothing. I was ... nothing," she stammered.
Harry set down his quill and stared at her. "What?" he asked again.
Parvati blushed deeply, then said quietly, "I'm sorry I kissed you yesterday."
Harry felt his own cheeks flush. He had not expected her to say that.
"Oh...that," Harry croaked. He cleared his throat. "Don't worry about it," he said, wondering if the little time they had just spent together made her realize what an idiot he really was.
Harry picked up his quill and continued drawing, thinking about what he was going to say to Hermione for putting such a stupid idea in his head.
Harry was lost in thought when he felt Parvati lean closer to him as he sat hunched over his parchment. She whispered, "That's not how I imagined our first kiss to be."
Harry's hand froze over his parchment as Parvati returned to her previous position. He felt his mouth go dry as he stared, unseeing, at his parchment. He swallowed hard, feeling his heart pounding in his chest. She had imagined them kissing before?
Harry cleared his throat and continued staring at his parchment. "How did you imagine it to be?" Harry asked quietly. He raised his eyes to hers and found her smiling at him shyly.
Harry, finding courage he didn't know he had, glanced around at the other students in the class. The closest pair was at least ten feet away, and everyone was bent over the bushes, peering into the bird's nests. He returned his gaze to Parvati, who was still staring at him, her eyes sparkling. Harry leaned forward slightly, looking into her eyes questioningly. Parvati leaned towards him, her eyes fluttering closed. Harry leaned in and met her lips with his. He felt her soft lips press against his, sending a jolt down his spine.
They broke apart and smiled at each other, both blushing.
"Al'righ' class. Gather yer things together. Time ter head back," Hagrid's voice boomed through the forest.
Harry looked down at his half-finished sketch and frowned. He'd have to finish it for homework.
"I can help you with that," Parvati said, reading Harry's expression.
Harry pushed himself to his feet and held his hand out for Parvati. She put her hand in his and allowed Harry to pull her to her feet. "Don't worry about it," Harry said, stooping to pick up his school bag. "I'll get it done."
Parvati smiled. "Well, you can borrow my drawing," she said. She then grinned and blushed, "After all, it was my fault that you didn't get done."
Harry looked at her and grinned. "That's true. You did distract me."
Parvati blushed deeper and smiled at Harry. "Here," she said, handing Harry her drawing. "Just get it back to me when you're done."
"Thanks," he said smiling and placing her parchment into his bag. "We should get going."
Parvati nodded and moved toward the rest of the students who were gathering around Hagrid. Harry followed her and met up with Ron and Hermione. Parvati turned, waved at Harry shyly, and then joined Lavender.
Harry turned to Ron and Hermione, grinning. "Good class, eh?"
Ron and Hermione stood staring at Harry.
"Er...right," Ron said, eyeing Harry curiously.
The students made their way out of the forest silently, escorted by Hagrid and the security officials. Once the students were out of the forest, they all began chattering as they walked toward the castle.
Harry noticed Ron and Hermione shooting curiously glances at him as they walked up to the castle. No matter how hard he tried, Harry couldn't wipe the silly grin off of his face. Several yards ahead of them, Parvati was walking with Lavender. Harry noticed the smile on Parvati's face as she talked to Lavender.
Lavender suddenly squealed loudly, causing several students to turn and look at her.
"Wonder what that's all about," Ron said, raising his eyebrows.
Harry felt his face flush, thinking that he had a pretty good idea.
Hermione turned to look at Harry. "Why is your face all red, Harry?"
Harry glanced at Hermione and tried his best to look nonchalant. "Is my face red?" he asked innocently.
Ron turned to look at him. "Harry, are you blushing?"
Harry, swearing at himself for still smiling, shook his head. "Why would I be blushing?"
Hermione glanced at Ron and raised an eyebrow. She turned back to Harry. "I noticed you were partners with Parvati in class."
Harry shrugged. "Yep."
Ron and Hermione stared at Harry. Hermione prodded, "And how was it?"
"Good." Harry replied, smiling widely. He glanced ahead and saw Parvati glancing at him over her shoulder. She smiled and turned back around.
Ron stared at Harry incredulously. "You like her, don't you?"
Harry blushed. "Well..."
"Well what?" Ron and Hermione said together.
Harry blushed deeper. "I...sort of...kissed her."
"You what?" Ron and Hermione shrieked stopping in their tracks.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Come on you guys. Don't make a big deal out of this."
"You kissed her?" Ron whispered, his eyes dancing with a mixture of glee and amazement.
"During class?" Hermione scolded quietly. "What if you got caught?"
Harry shrugged. "We didn't get caught."
Hermione continued to look at him with a scandalized look.
Harry sighed. "It's not like we were snogging. It was a quick kiss. No big deal."
Hermione relented. "So, you like her?" she asked.
Harry looked up at the castle. Parvati was nearly at the main doors. "Yeah. I think so," Harry said, returning his gaze to Hermione.
Hermione looked at Harry, her eyebrows furrowed.
"What?" Harry asked, eyeing Hermione's expression.
Hermione looked at Harry as though confused. "I just thought..." she began. "Never mind. As long as you're happy, I'm happy for you," she said.
Ron shook his head. "I never saw this one coming." He clapped Harry on the back.
Harry grinned at Ron. "Well, Ron, some of us don't need years to see things coming."
Ron's mouth dropped open. He glanced frantically at Hermione and then stared daggers at Harry, blushing furiously.
Hermione stood looking from Ron to Harry and back again. She opened her mouth, then snapped it shut. She narrowed her eyes, "Is there something I should know?"
"No!" Ron blurted.
Hermione studied Ron and then glanced at Harry. "Well, let's go then." She turned and continued walking toward the castle.
Harry ducked as Ron swung his school bag at him.
"I'll get you for this," Ron muttered to Harry, following Hermione into the castle.
"Just thought you could use a little nudge, mate," Harry said grinning. "Just a little nudge."
Harry spent the rest of the day dodging Ron's angry glances, avoiding Hermione's questions, and returning Parvati's shy smiles. Parvati had sat beside Harry during double Transfiguration, Defense Against the Darks Arts, and Charms. Harry had struggled to keep his attention on his professor's lectures, and not let his mind stray to the morning's incident.
Harry tossed his bag on a table in the far corner of the library. It was one of his scheduled Study Hall times and he knew he had to take advantage of it.
Ron slouched down in the chair beside him. "What are you working on?"
Harry opened his school bag. "I think I'll finish my Augurey sketch first, then I'm going to start McGonagall's essay."
Ron smirked. "You didn't finish your sketch?"
Harry grinned. "No."
Ron smiled. "So where is Parvati? She hasn't left your side all day."
Harry pulled out his and Parvati's sketches from his bag and laid them on the table. "She's taking Divination."
Ron snorted. "Can't say I'll miss that class."
"Neither will I," Harry said smiling. He smoothed Parvati's drawing next to his and began sketching the birds. He looked up at Ron. "What are you working on?"
Ron stretched in his seat and then slouched down further. "I guess I'll work on McGonagall's essay. I'm not feeling very motivated though."
Harry grinned. "Need Hermione around, do you?"
Ron glared at Harry. "Don't start with that again."
Harry held up his hands and smiled. "I'm not starting anything."
Ron studied Harry. "So are you going to ask Parvati out?"
Harry looked at Ron. "Are you going to ask Hermione out?"
Ron's mouth dropped open and his ears burned red. "What makes you think I like Hermione, anyway?"
Harry looked at Ron seriously. "Don't you?"
Ron stared at his books on the table. He glanced at Harry and then stared across the library, deep in thought.
Harry returned to his sketch, not wanting to push Ron any more than he already had. He was thankful that Parvati had leant him her sketch; he finished his in no time. He packed away the sketches and pulled out a blank piece of parchment and his Transfiguration text. He flipped through the pages to find the information on Switching Spells.
"It would be suicide," Ron said flatly.
Harry looked up from his books. "Pardon?"
Ron turned his eyes to Harry. "Me asking out Hermione. It would be suicide."
Harry set down his quill. "Why do you say that?"
Ron smiled sadly, playing with the tattered edge of his textbook. "Well, first of all, she'd say no. Second of all, our friendship would be ruined, and third, I'd be so mortified I'd crawl into a hole to die. Simply put, it would be suicide."
Harry stared at Ron, fully appreciating for the first time how much Ron cared for Hermione. He suddenly felt extremely guilty for teasing Ron relentlessly.
"What if she said yes?" Harry said quietly.
Ron snorted. "Not likely."
Harry stared at Ron, not really knowing what to say. He thought he had seen indications that Hermione cared just as much for Ron as he did for her, but Harry couldn't be sure. Harry would never claim to understand girls, even the one he was best friends with.
Harry shrugged. "I guess you'll never know unless you ask."
Ron nodded and straightened himself in his chair, obviously wanting to drop the subject. "So what page are the Switching Spells on?"
Harry smiled at his friend, and pushed his textbook towards him. Harry did not envy Ron's position. Harry did not know how he himself would handle falling in love with his best friend.