Things That Go Bump in The Night

The Houses Competition, Year seven-round 2: everyone needs companionship

House: Slytherin

Class: Herbology

Category: Drabble

Prompt: [Last Line] Unfortunately, that wasn't the last they/he/she heard of that.

Word count: 997

Word count inc AN: 1080

This is a muggle Au, and there is violence in the form of someone getting hit on the head, nothing more. Also, Hannah Abbott has an older brother in this story.

Beta: VanillaAshes, CupCakeyyy

I do not own HP.
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THUMP!

Hannah Abbott awoke with a start and jumped sitting bolt upright in bed, her heart beating fast.

"What was that?" she thought, scanning her bedroom. A sense of pure panic filled her as she heard another sound and her heart skipped a beat. It sounded like someone climbing a ladder up the side of their house. Someone was trying to break in!
Terrified, Hannah leapt out of bed, and looked around for something to protect herself with; her father always said anything can be used as a weapon in an emergency. She grabbed her walking stick and clasped it tightly.

Hannah had injured her leg a few months ago and she had needed a walking stick as part of rehab. She had kept it in her room ever since, just in case for emergencies like this, and she was glad.

Hannah stepped closer, her stick shaking with every step. Her hands were slippery as she tightened her fingers around the stick even more, so much so that her knuckles were turning white. She hoped her mother would come, she didn't want to do this on her own!

But Hannah needed to stop the thief. Hannah wasn't sure what she would be able to do if she saw somebody, but she had to try. It was stupid, she knew, but that didn't deter her.

The sound of the ladder being climbed got steadily louder as did the beats of Hannah's heart. She had to bite back a gasp as the light source was blocked by a shadow. She was certain someone was trying to break in now.

"Here goes nothing," Hannah thought, preparing her weapon for swinging as soon as the figure entered. She was jittery, doubtful and stressed thoughts shooting through her head. What happens if I miss? What if he had a weapon himself and would attack her?

She didn't have time to analyse the situation, though, as the figure entered and with a single swing, she made contact and the man fell to the ground. She was relieved she had hit. "Got ya!"
The burglar grunted as he fell to the floor with a heavy thud.

"MUM!" Hannah shouted, panicked, wondering how her mother hadn't woken up yet. What do I do now? Hopefully he's not too hurt. He's not moving! What did I do?!

Hannah quickly ran over and turned the light on, wanting to see the thief better. "Oh no!" Dread instantly filled her to the brim. That couldn't be… it... the burglar was not a burglar, it was her brother Ralph!

"Ralph! Please, wake up!" Hannah cried, fear building inside her. She felt her eye well up as the adrenaline pumped through her body. "Wake up!"

"Hannah, what's going on? Why is Ralph on the floor?" Her mother sounded tired as she walked into her room.

"Mum! Ralph came in through my window and I mistook him for a burglar! I think I've killed him! I'm so stupid! I should have realised it was him!" Hannah rambled on, unable to control her emotions. Her mother started to look very concerned as she approached her distraught daughter

"Ralph?" she asked worriedly, her face going white.

"Oww, my head." At the sound of her brother's voice, relief instantly filled her. "Mum? Hannah? What happened?" Ralph groaned and slowly sat up. Dazed, he rubbed his head.
Their mum dropped down to the floor and fussed over him. "You'll feel better soon," she assured him as she felt for any bumps and wounds. "What were you doing sneaking through Hannah's bedroom window? You know what she's been like after we were burgled."
"Well, when I got back I realised I didn't have my keys!" Ralph explained, slurring lightly. "So I looked around, I found the ladder. I didn't want to wake you two up. Hannah's window was open, so I thought, why don't I climb in through there? That's what I did, though I unfortunately tripped over the garbage bins in the process. Anyway, when Ientered through the window, something hit me. The next thing I know, I am waking up on the floor."
"You, nitwit! I could have killed you!" Hannah exclaimed, hitting him on the shoulder.
"Ralph, how many times have I told you to not leave home without your keys?! What if the police had been called?" Mrs Abbott berated, shaking her head.

Hannah sighed and moved to her bed as sarcastic thoughts ran through her head.

"It seemed a good idea at the time," Ralph stammered, obviously realising it was a bad idea, finally.

"Evidently. Otherwise you would not have done it," Mrs Abbott huffed. "This is your last warning, Ralph! If you ever leave the house without your keys again, I'm gonna ban you from going out, and certainly give you a curfew! You may be an adult, but while you're living under my roof, you have to abide by my rules! Poor Hannah! She was scared to death!"

Ralph looked down ashamed. "I'm sorry, Mum, Hannah."

"Don't do it again!" both women exclaimed. There was an awkward silence, no one sure what to do next.
"I bet Dad will find this hilarious," Ralph remarked, glancing around anxiously because he was in trouble.

Hannah was filled with horror eyes widening. "No! Please! Dad cannot hear about this! I'll never hear the end of it! It's embarrassing!"
"He won't hear about it from me, sweetie," her mother reassured, making Hannah feel better, before she turned to her son, raising her eyebrows expectantly
"He won't hear about it from me, either!" Ralph said quickly.

"Come on, Ralph, let's leave Hannah to get some rest. Goodnight, dear," her mum said, kissing her on the cheek. She brushed her hair out of her face, smiled, and walked towards the door.

"Goodnight, sis." Ralph nodded as he followed his mother, obediently.

"Night." Hannah yawned, realising how tired she was. Hopefully I can forget this ever happened.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the last she heard of that.