The next day, Danny skipped charms with Harry to report to Dumbledore. The headmaster was upset to hear that Sirius took such a big risk and asked Danny to check in on Grimmauld Place the next day when he went to London for lessons with Miss Fisher. Danny caught up with the trio in transfiguration. The rest of the day was uneventful until Quidditch practice. Danny scowled in annoyance as he turned intangible to dry himself off. Having been watching the practice, he was just as soaked as the team. He sighed softly and smirked as Fred and George complained about discomfort from boils created during their testing of a new Skiving Snackbox.
Then Harry yelped in pain. Danny spun around to check on the wizard as he lied about poking himself in the eye. Ron and Harry hung back and Harry explained that his scar had hurt him. Then he went further to describe a snapshot of how Voldemort was feeling. Danny, alarmed as he knew about Harry's connection to Voldemort, floated closer to make sure he didn't miss a word. Ron urged Harry to go to Dumbledore and Danny bit his lip. Harry was growing aware of the connection. Harry refused and as the boys left, Danny sped off to Dumbledore's office.
He didn't bother with the door, instead he phased into the office. He quickly checked he was alone with the headmaster before appearing.
"Professor, we might have a problem," Danny announced. Dumbledore jumped in his chair and covered a document with his arm. Realising it was Danny, Dumbledore relaxed and frowned in concern.
"What happened?" Dumbledore asked, knowing something must have happened for Danny to rush in so unexpectedly.
"Harry read Voldemort's mood. His scar hurt him and he realised that he was angry," Danny informed the wizard. Dumbledore's twinkling eyes widened in alarm.
"He said that, or are you speculating?" Dumbledore inquired worriedly.
"I listened to him explain it to Ron. He also said his scar hurting with Umbridge during that detention… Voldemort was pleased. Wasn't that the night we found out about Podmore getting arrested?" Danny replied. Dumbledore nodded.
"What do you want me to do?" Danny asked with conviction. He was the one closest to Harry right now, even if only a handful of people not including Harry knew it.
"I'm cancelling your lesson with Miss Fisher tomorrow. Follow Harry and report to me tomorrow night. Any changes in Harry's behaviour. It's important we follow that as closely as possible," Dumbledore decided. Danny bobbed his head. He returned to his room to work on some homework. If he was going to cancel his lesson, he could at least remember to finish his homework, he didn't always hand it in fully completed.
The next day, Danny followed Harry closely, only leaving the wizard's side to eat and go to the restroom. They were planning something for that evening at eight but what… Danny couldn't be sure. That evening the trio left dinner at half seven and made their way up to the seventh floor. Harry pulled out an old piece of parchment which turned out to be a map. Danny quickly scanned the map for himself but his location was safe. The trio paced down a corridor and eventually a wooden door appeared. Shocked, Danny watched the teens enter. He attempted to follow but was unable to. Phasing through the wall only caused him to end up outside the school.
A little later, Neville Longbottom, Ginny, Lavender Brown, Parvarti Patil and Dean Thomas arrived and Danny tried to follow the teens inside only to be forcefully knocked back into the opposite wall. Luckily no one was nearby when he flickered visible before he recovered. Danny floated outside the door, trying to follow any student that entered in a variety of ways. But by eight that evening twenty five teens had entered, leaving a frustrated halfa outside.
Over an hour later, the teens started to file out and go their separate ways. Finally Harry, Ron and Hermione left and Danny followed them. The teens had all been very excited about something, and Danny could guess what. Harry's substitute Defence Against the Dark Arts. Danny watched the trio head into the common room. He bit his lip nervously but decided against following them inside. He instead reported to Dumbledore what he saw. Harry hadn't acted any differently, or suspiciously other than setting up his club's first meeting, all day. Dumbledore sighed in relief and rescheduled his lesson with Miss Fisher for the next day.
Danny watched Harry over the next couple of weeks. The meetings of the "DA", the only name Danny had overheard but never knew what the initials stood for, were erratic. In fact, they were almost impossible to predict for Danny and he was watching their apparent leader closely. But the meetings had given something for Harry to focus on and obviously gave him strength when facing Umbridge. Which was causing suspicion and Danny knew it. Harry no longer glared at the witch discretely. Instead he smiled knowingly at her. But the good thing was that Umbridge had no proof yet that Harry was doing anything. The increase in Quidditch practice helped to hide the true reason though.
But November came and the first match of the year with it. It was something Danny had been looking forward to. Watching the Gryffindor team practice was one thing, actually watching a real match was another. So Danny landed on top of a stand and made himself comfortable while invisible. At first, the match was enjoyable but then the Slytherins began their taunting song insulting Ron. The new keeper was completely overwhelmed and couldn't save a goal. However luckily Harry caught the snitch, ending the game and winning the match quickly. Then the trouble started.
One of the Slytherin beaters hit a bludger at Harry, knocking him off his broom. The spectators were outraged. Madam Hooch swooped down on the teen and began to reprimand him. However no one was paying attention to the Gryffindor team. Malfoy walked over and began to talk to them. Danny frowned, sensing trouble brewing. Suddenly the girls on the team and Harry had to hold the twins back as they lunged at Malfoy. Danny's eyes widened in alarm. He began to fly down, hoping to find out the issue and maybe even interjected secretly. But for some reason Harry let go of the twin he was restraining and together they lunged at Malfoy. Danny sped up but had unfortunately been on the far side of the pitch. Madam Hooch interjected magically swiftly.
The twin and Harry were sent to the castle. Danny zoomed after them and they soon reached McGonagall's office. To say Minerva McGonagall was angry was an understatement and Danny couldn't blame her. Harry and either Fred or George had done a terrible thing. In front of everyone they'd attacked Malfoy two on one. Danny disliked Malfoy as much as the next teen, but what Harry and the twin had done was completely inexcusable. Even if Malfoy had insulted their parents, it was no excuse. Vlad constantly insulted Jack Fenton, but Danny never let that cloud his judgement. However then something even worse happened. Umbridge got involved and revealed a new educational decree that enabled her to overrule any other member of staff on punishments issued. And the toad-like woman banned Harry and both twins from playing Quidditch, confiscating their broomsticks in the process.
Danny sighed as the ex-Quidditch players left. Umbridge following them to take their broomsticks. MvGonagall screamed angrily and kicked a chair. Danny turned himself visible.
"Infuriating isn't it? Not being able to help them," Danny empathised. McGonagall froze and turned to Danny in surprise. She huffed in annoyance.
"Do you have to do that?" she hissed. Danny smirked.
"I don't get to do a lot of fun things Minerva. Scaring people like just now is about all I have. Sorry, it's a side effect of being a ghost," Danny replied. McGonagall frowned sadly.
"I'm sorry to hear that Phantom. It's not right that such a young spirit such as yourself should be shouldering such a difficult task," McGonagall muttered. Danny shrugged.
"I signed up for this, remember. Besides, it's not all bad. Peeves is fun to hang around. And hanging around Harry, I do get a few laughs from conversations," Danny retorted, stopping himself from mentioning that Miss Fisher wasn't an overly boring teacher and he understood that guard duty at the Ministry was important. Luckily he rarely got more than one night a week and always at the weekend so he could sleep off the late night.
McGonagall gave Danny a small smile. Danny smiled back and picked up the chair on the ground.
"Did you hear about Hagrid yet?" McGonagall asked.
"Has he finally turned up?" Danny inquired. McGonagall nodded.
"He should get back around dinner tonight. You should meet him," McGonagall answered. Danny smirked and nodded.
"Thanks. Want any help around here? Following Harry right now, all I'm going to see is a very upset bunch of Gryffindors," Danny offered. McGonagall sighed and shook her head.
"Thanks Phantom, but I'm fine. Why don't you take the rest of the afternoon for yourself? We all need to take breaks every now and then," McGonagall suggested. Danny smirked.
"Does sound good, but I dunno. I'll figure out something," Danny replied and turned invisible. In truth, the halfa had homework to do.
Danny had an early dinner in the kitchens, chatting with Dobby, a charmingly unique house elf, and helping Winky, seemingly an alcoholic drinking butterbeer. The other house elves were busy preparing dinner and keeping the tables in the Great Hall well stocked. After dinner, Danny reported in with Dumbledore, informing the headmaster of Harry, Fred and George's punishment, thanks to Umbridge. Together they waited for Hagrid to arrive. But the previously MIA teacher never reported in. Dumbledore guessed that Hagrid must have gone to his hut on the grounds, exhausted from his long trip.
Yeah, Umbridge is ticking off everyone in Hogwarts and Hagrid is back!
Let me know what you guys think so far.
Until the next chapter.
