Chapter 7
Dream walking & Strange scents
Maria soon learned that class was going to be hard without powers. She found Potions to be her favorite class, mostly because she didn't need a wand for that class. Maria also noticed that while Snape seemed to despise Max, he favored Maria. Maria's second favorite class was Herbology. Michael told her that was because of her obsession with aromatherapy. She didn't mind either way, she enjoyed being at Hogwarts and not still out on road running. Thinking about this made her wonder why her mom would ever leave in the first place.
Tomorrow is Saturday and Harry hoped they would be able to go visit Hagrid. Except when he asked him, Hagrid said he wasn't going to be home.
"Where is he going?" Ron asked at breakfast.
"He wouldn't say, except that it was a favor for Dumbledore."
"I wonder what?" Hermione asked.
"Well, the last time he did something for Dumbledore, he picked up the sorcerer's stone." Ron pointed out.
"I hope it's nothing like that." Harry sighed.
Michael sat next to Ron. "So when's this big Quidditch game I keep hearing about?"
"Next Saturday." Ron replied.
"Hey, aren't you supposed to be at practice right now?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, but the Slytherine's have the field, we're going to practice after lunch. Kate would rather practice in the afternoon; she says we should practice in daytime conditions like when we have a game. Plus she thinks we need more sleep."
"Sounds better than Wood." Ron commented.
"Not really, instead of getting up early, we're staying up late."
"Explains the bags under your eyes," Michael joked.
That afternoon Maria, Liz, Max, and Michael walked the grounds, while Isabel and Kyle helped each other with homework in the library.
"So have you dream-walked any body here?" Kyle whispered as he and Isabel walked through the stacks looking for books for their Potions essay.
"No."
"Seriously."
Isabel glanced at him. "Well..."
"Who?"
"You know that boy in Michael's house, the famous boy."
"Harry Potter?"
"Yeah."
"Him? What did you see?" He dreams about Quidditch."
"Really?"
"Yeah, at first it was interesting, except he wins every time. It got really boring after a while."
"So could we?"
"Oh, so that's what this is all about?"
"Come on, please."
She looked him in the eyes, after a minute she sighed, "alright."
He grabbed her hand, led her out of the library, and led her toward his house.
"Who?" She asked smiling.
"That albino brat Malfoy."
"I don't know if he catches you, he'll tell his daddy." She mocked.
"He's such a pain." At the entrance, Kyle says the password. "Boils & puss."
"Eww!" Isabel whispered.
"I really agree." Kyle replied.
Inside the common room, they found Malfoy sleeping on a chair.
"Convenient." Isabel remarked.
"I put sleeping draught in his OJ and told Tweedle-Dee & Dum to leave." Isabel raised her right eyebrow.
"What?"
"Maybe the hat actually did put you in the right house."
"I guess."
"Well, he's right here, so sit over here." She pointed to a chair in the opposite corner. They sat facing each other. "Close your eyes and imagine his face." Isabel said as she took Kyle's hand. They closed their eyes, after a second found themselves in a large open field.
Draco is laying in the grass making out with a girl. Before Kyle and Isabel can discover who, four dark hooded figures appear. The figures attack Draco and the girl, the couple is pulled apart, but they can't see her face. Suddenly the field turns darker and a large bond-fire appears. Circling around the fire are more hooded figures. A hissing voice calls to Draco, "It is your turn to join me and my death eaters. Today you shall receive the dark mark." A death eater steps forward with a knife, he cuts Draco's right sleeve open the reveal the pale skin underneath. The girl screams, Kyle and Isabel look up to see that she's Isabel.
Before they can learn more, Draco woke up. Kyle grabbed Isabel's hand and leads her to his room, before Draco could notice their presence. They sat on Kyle's bed, Isabel picked up Jim, as Kyle grabbed a book. Draco burst in a minute later to hear them talking.
"I wonder if Maria got then letter back from her mom?" Isabel was saying.
"Don't know she hasn't mentioned anything to me."
"You think we should write home and tell everyone we're okay."
"Maybe." He looked up to see Draco standing in the doorway. "What do you want?"
Draco looked lost, he glanced at Isabel and then left. Kyle and Isabel exchanged smiles.
Meanwhile Hagrid is waiting for Remus Lupin to arrive at Three Broomsticks. Remus entered with a familiar black dog. As Remus took a seat the dog sat in the other chair at the table.
"Hello, Hagrid."
"Hello, Remus, (looking at the dog) who's yer friend?"
"He's worried about Harry?"
"Hello, Snuffles." Hagrid said to the dog.
The dog barked a hello.
"So, Hagrid, what brings us here?"
"A plea from Dumbledore."
"A plea?"
"He wants you to come back and teach Defense Against the Dark Arts again."
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Please, we need help."
"Hagrid, I…" Remus stopped. As they were talking a hooded figure glided in and sat in the corner. The figure's scent wafted through the room and reached Remus.
"Remus, what is it?"
"That scent, it's so familiar."
"Who is it?" Hagrid asked suddenly becoming alert.
"I…I'm not sure."
They turned to see the dog sniff the air, he turned to his left.
"Who is it?" Remus whispered.
Snuffles hopped off his seat and trotted up to the stranger in the corner. The figure was wearing a black robe with a hood that concealed its entire face. Snuffles jumped into the chair next to the figure. Remus and Hagrid looked at each other, then got up, and walked over. Remus sniffed the air again, suddenly realizing that he did know whom the scent belonged to.
"I'm sorry, we really don't know what possesses him." Hagrid apologized.
A black gloved hand waved at Hagrid, as he tried to pick up the dog.
"Hagrid, stop." Remus said.
The hand disappeared into the blackness of the robes.
"What is it?" Hagrid asked dropping Snuffles on the table.
"I know who she is."
"She?"
"Hello, Amy." Remus said to the figure.
The black hand slowly pulled the hood back to reveal Amy Deluca.
"Hello, Hagrid, Remus, and…"
"Yes, it's who you think it is." Remus said as the dog licked her cheek.
"So you received Maria's letter, then?" Hagrid asked.
Amy nodded. "I just
arrived, and wasn't sure how to enter the school. So I figured someone familiar had to be here."
"Well, you were right. Hagrid and I are
here discussing my Defense Against the Dark Arts job."
Hagrid smiled triumphantly.
"You're teaching?"
"Well, I took a year off to help Snuffles get readjusted, but yes. How have you been?"
"Stressed, Maria and her friends are being hunted by the FBI and now she is in the one place I hoped she'd never see."
"The FBI?" Remus asked.
"Long story, so I'm here, might as well go and say hi." Amy said standing up.
"I'll lead the way." Hagrid volunteered.
"Nervous?" Remus asked Amy as he pulled her trunk out the dor.
"Terrified."
They arrived at the castle a few minutes later. Hagrid opened the door to let them in. In the entrance hall waiting for them is Dumbledore.
"Hello, Amy."
Amy unexpectedly walked up and hugged him. Dumbledore returned her hug. As she pulled away, she spoke, "I can't face her right now, I don't know what to say. She'll have so many questions, none of which that I'm ready to answer."
"It's alright, Remus, your old chambers are still available, why don't you take Amy there? I'll notify Maria that you're here. Tomorrow at breakfast you can find her."
"Thank you." Amy said as Remus led her away, with the dog following. The dog turned, lifted his right paw, and waved at Dumbledore. Dumbledore winked at the dog as he turned to catch up with Amy.
"Thank you, Hagrid."
"Didn't do anything, he saw Amy and made up his mind then."
Dumbledore smiled, as Hagrid headed toward his cabin.