Chapter 13

The next day Allen went down early to the Quidditch pitch, only to see Hagrid was already waiting for him. They got started, and as the sun rose and the morning mist burned away, Allen realized how much he missed being outdoors.

Even if it was weak, the sunshine on his skin and the wind ruffling through his hair did wonders for his mood. Between hammering and fixing the boards, he watched Timcampy fly around, doing laps round the field before disappearing for an hour into the woods.

He and Hagrid didn't talk, save to discuss the construction process, and around noon broke for lunch.

That's when the first of the onlookers began to show up.

"Hey Hagrid," called a voice, and both Hagrid and Allen looked up to see several boys walking toward them, all eyeing Allen curiously, their red scarves wrapped tightly around their necks. Allen glanced at the cloaks the boys wore and wondered how warm they actually were.

"'Ello Dean," Hagrid greeted warmly. "What are ya doin' out here?"

"It was nice out, thought we'd come and see the damage," the boy replied. He was with four others, all of whom Allen recognized from when he'd interrupted their class, not a week before. He only remembered Ron and Harry's names, but the black boy who'd greeted Hagrid was obviously Dean. So the other two were…

"And 'ello, Neville, Seamus," Hagrid greeted the mystery strangers, before turning to Harry and Ron and saying, "You two been keepin' outta trouble?"

Ron grinned sheepishly. "You know us, Hagrid."

The sandy-haired boy, Seamus, glanced up at the construction. "How's the work going?" he asked.

Hagrid gestured up at the ladder and rigging, conversing easily. "Well, as ya can see, it's going fine," he said, before waving his hand and clapping Allen on the shoulder, nearly knocking him over. "Ol' Allen here is doin' a good job at it, I'd say, even if he was the one tha' broke it in the firs' place." He gave a great booming laugh at that. Ron and Neville tried to smile, but no one else laughed.

Allen looked over at the boys, who were all staring at him in interest. Maybe Hagrid didn't see it, or he was pretending not to, but Allen wasn't fooled. The weather wasn't that nice.

"Just doing what I can," he said with a polite smile, which seemed to throw the boys off. They glanced at one another, and for a few moments the only sounds that passed between them were those of Allen slurping his soup.

"Hagrid," asked Neville, "if you're here, then who's teaching your class?"

Allen glanced at Hagrid, also curious.

"Ah, got Madame Hooch coverin' classes," Hagrid replied. "Glad to do it, she was, but I got a feelin' she innit following my lesson plan…real good one, too."

The boys seemed to be trying to hold back grimaces; Allen got to his feet, done with lunch. "I'm going back to work, Hagrid," he said, brushing nonexistent crumbs from his clothes and rolling his sleeves up. "It was nice to meet you all," he added to the boys.

"Alright," Hagrid said. "Don' get on the ladder 'til I join ya, though. Don' want ya fallin'."

Allen nodded. He walked over to the cutting table and grabbed a sheet of paper, looking at the measurements he'd made and beginning to saw the board to the right dimensions.

It was a few minutes later he sensed someone approaching, and looked up to see Harry Potter walking toward him. Allen stopped what he doing and straightened up.

"Hey," Harry said awkwardly.

Allen stared at the boy a moment longer before smiling politely. "Hello," he said, keeping his voice cheerful and even. "What did you need?"

"Just wanted to apologize for knocking you over Saturday."

Allen shrugged. "Oh, it's alright, things happen. I wasn't hurt, so no worries."

Harry stared at him, taken back by Allen's immediate acceptance. "Well, uh, okay then. I'm glad to hear that."

Allen and he stood in awkward silence for another moment before Allen asked, "Was there something else you wanted to talk about?"

He seemed to summon some courage and said, "Well, uh, yeah, yeah there was…"

Allen bit back a sigh. "What's your question?" he asked, waiting for the inevitable.

Harry reached back and rubbed at the back of his neck, looking pensive. Must have been something he did without thinking, but then the boy said, "Actually, I wanted to ask you about Hermione."

Allen raised his eyebrows in surprise. This was unexpected. "What about her?"

"Did she say anything to you?"

Allen stared at Harry in confusion before finally answering, "About what?"

"About…Ron," Harry said, looking more uncomfortable by the minute.

Allen shook his head slowly. "No." Wasn't Harry her friend? Why was he asking Allen? And why would Hermione confide anything to him—they didn't know each other and Allen had been very deliberately keeping his distance. Still… "Does it have anything to do with why she looked so sad yesterday?"

Harry glanced back, making sure they couldn't be overheard, and said quietly, "She skipped classes. She never skips. I saw her eat dinner with you and Luna last night and I was just wondering if she seemed…well, how she was doing. I can't get her to talk to me."

Allen thought about dinner yesterday, but nothing sprung out at him as particularly unusual. Hermione and Luna had rehashed on memories from last year, how they'd been in this sort of secret club called the D.A. Luna had told a story about one of her father's latest conspiracy theories, which Hermione had politely listened to but didn't seem to believe. It had mostly gone over his head, because Allen had been trying to ignore the whispers and stares coming from all directions, and fighting a building headache that had lasted all night.

Harry was staring at him inquisitively and Allen realized he'd zoned out. "Hermione skipped classes?" he asked, grasping back onto the thread of conversation.

Harry nodded.

Hermione had lied about Dumbledore sending her down to watch over him? "She said…" Allen shook his head. "Never mind. It doesn't matter."

"I know it's weird to ask, but since she's spending time with you, could you just…keep an eye on her?" Harry said, a spark of hope in his eye. "I mean, just to see she's okay. Nothing else."

Allen glanced over to the other boys, all chatting and laughing with Hagrid, including Ron, who looked no worse for wear, as far as Allen could tell. Then again, he'd only met the boy once before.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked," Harry said hurriedly, when Allen didn't respond immediately.

Allen considered Harry in front of him, the memory of Hermione's mood yesterday swimming in his head. "It's really none of my business," he said at last, and almost instantly guilt filled him as Harry deflated. "I'm here to finish fixing this up, that's all," he continued, feeling worse by the moment.

Harry sighed, straightening his shoulders before what Allen said registered. Harry frowned. "I thought you were here for a counter-curse. Have you already found it?"

Allen raised an eyebrow. "She told you?"

Harry considered Allen, honest and unassuming as he replied, "We're friends."

Allen didn't say anything to that. Faces and names echoed in his mind's eye, and he had to turn away from Harry because his poker face had been slipping lately and the idea that there were still people in the world so devoted to one another made him ache for the family he'd left behind. Family he missed dearly every day and had run from to keep them safe—only to end up stuck in a castle full of strangers who had only an idea of what he was and were marginally safe because of it.

Even if had been only a few weeks, it had been a few weeks without Akuma attacks, and sleeping in a warm bed every night, and three square meals a day. It was more than he could have wished for after escaping the Order. But he was surrounded by children who still had their innocence and bonds of companionship and belonging that he wasn't sure he would ever have again. That, a cruel part of him whispered, he didn't feel he deserved. It was painfully obvious he didn't belong here, and the sheer unfairness of it all sometimes caught up to him.

As it did now.

"I'll think about it," he said, mitigating his guilt.

Harry said nothing for a moment,and then said, "Thank you. I know it's a lot to ask."

"It's fine." Allen rested his hands on the boards, unsure what to say next.

"Anyway," Harry said, finally breaking the silence. "I'm sorry about Saturday. That's...all I came to say."

Allen didn't reply immediately, and after another moment, Harry turned away to join his classmates.

Allen glanced back when he was sure Harry was gone, and sighed heavily. He was glad when he heard the group of boys called their farewells and Hagrid ambling over to give him his afternoon instructions.

xox

Luna visited the pitch when classes ended for the day. Allen was back up on the ladder, and heard Hagrid chatting with someone. He glanced down and saw the familiar wave of blond hair, a smile crossing his face as he called down. Luna looked up and waved at him, returning his smile with one of her own. "I'll be down in a bit," he called.

He saw her nod, even from so high up, and finished up what he doing before climbing down the ladder.

As he walked up to Hagrid and Luna, he caught bits of their conversation.

"When are you coming back to classes, Hagrid?"

"When this is finished up, I 'spect," he answered. "I'd say another week, if the weather holds. How's Madame Hooch doin'?"

Luna shrugged. "She's fine, but it's not the same."

"Ah, that's sweet a ya," Hagrid replied, looking really pleased. "Ya might be the only one left who likes me class, Luna."

"I'm sure that's not true," Luna replied serenely. "My father has a great interest in magical creatures; you may not cover those species, but it's been fascinating." She saw Allen. "Hello Allen," she said, and Allen flashed her a welcome grin before turning to Hagrid.

"Finished with the foundation, now we just need to fill it in."

"Right," Hagrid said, glancing up. "Tomorrow I'm expectin' an order in for class, so you've got the morning off while I take care a tha'. Which reminds me," he added, digging into one of his coat's many pockets. "Got somethin' fer ya." He fished out several objects-bit of rope, empty glass vials, pruning shears, a dog biscuit-before pulling out a small book. Allen reached up and took it, glancing at the title.

It was a book of fairy tales. The book itself must have been many years old; the pages were yellow with age and had that musty old-book smell. It had been well-loved; several pages were dog-eared, water and tea stains splashed over, but there were no rips and the book fell open at certain places; these must have been the stories the previous owners had loved most, and had reread many times.

Allen glanced back up at Hagrid.

"It was my dad's. I don' have much a need for it, or the time really," he said. "I don't know if yer a reader, but I figure ya might like something to pass the time, in case you get lonely or somethin'. Course, ya could always come down to see me if you like. Mind ya bring someone with ya. Don' want to be caught outside the castle after dark."

Allen shut the book, touching the front cover gently. He glanced up at Hagrid. "Thank you. You didn't have to."

Hagrid shrugged. "I wanted ta. Now, get goin', I can finish up here today."

xox

Over the next few days, as Allen ate meals up in the Great Hall and went down to fix the stands with Hagrid, he listened to theories. The first night he'd gone up to dinner with Luna and Hermione, he'd had to endure whispered conversations wondering why he was still in the castle. When another two days passed and the student body accepted that he was staying, he began hearing the theories on what they thought he was.

He was, apparently, a) a servant of Lord Voldemort (though most people called him You Know Who and he was grateful that he now Knew Who), b) a new magical monster who could transform into a person and was too stupid to do the job right, c) a magical mutant from outer space (a particular favorite among the Muggleborns), or d) a wizard experiment gone horribly wrong (which seemed to entreaty some sympathy but not much).

No one tried to approach him to ask what was really going on—they all probably thought he'd skewer them if they tried. Allen felt like he was back in the Order after the Ark had been retrieved, staff from Central watching his every move, mistrust in every stranger's gaze.

The only other person who did know what was going on listened to the stories with great amusement. Every time they overheard something particularly outrageous, Luna would meet Allen's eye and they would both crack up. Hermione had taken to eating all of her meals with them and would stare at the both of them in confusion.

"It's not funny at all," she said one day at breakfast, after a particularly ludicrous idea of Allen being the Veela from the Black Lagoon reached their ears. "It's cruel. You're human, anyone with eyes can see it. It's just hypocritical, especially coming from wizards! We've seen weirder things and not even blinked an eye, so what's possibly different now?"

"Hermione, I'm not bothered," Allen said in a placating tone. It was one he'd taken to using often with her over the last few days, trying to keep Harry's request in mind. "I've heard worse."

"Well I just wish you'd explain it to people and set them straight. I don't understand what the big deal is. Luna knows, don't you Luna?" Luna nodded, and Hermione continued on. "And it's not so terrible, right? You haven't even told me."

Allen smiled. "I don't know why you're taking it so personally. It doesn't even concern you."

"It's common decency!" she hissed back. Allen held up his hands in surrender. She huffed, and took another bite of her eggs.

"I think Hermione's right," Luna said calmly, taking advantage of the lull. "You may not like it, but if people know, they'd be less likely to treat you like a pariah." She shrugged. "You might even find that counter-curse you're looking for, with more eyes looking."

Allen turned sharply toward her. "How do you know that?"

Luna smiled. "It's a secret, Allen. So naturally, everyone knows."

Allen groaned, rubbing his face and reaching for a third helping of eggs and sausage. "Why do I even bother," he grumbled.

"That's what I'm saying," Hermione huffed, emerging from her plate. "The only thing secrets ever do is create problems. It's been over a month since you've been here and you're no closer to find a solution to whatever your big, important problem is than you ever were."

Allen sighed, deciding it was better to leave that particular statement alone; mostly because it was true. "Luna, you know why I can't. The less that know, the better."

"I agree with Hermione," Luna countered. "You'd be better off with allies than isolating yourself."

The clock chimed the half-hour and several students stood up to head to class. "That's my cue," Allen said, grateful for the save. "I'll see you at dinner," he said to the girls before leaving, taking an apple with him.

Hermione stared after him before glancing at Luna. "Is it really so bad?" she asked quietly; the bravado and irritation she'd directed toward Allen was gone. Now she just sounded tired.

"Even I don't know everything," Luna said, just as quietly. "It's not my story to tell."

Hermione sighed. Luna studied her quietly.

Hermione was looking slightly better, though Luna had no illusions as to why Hermione had been waspish and irritable the last few days. Everyone with eyes could see Lavender Brown and Ron Weasley's flagrant snogging at every opportunity. Luna knew Hermione wouldn't appreciate anyone's sympathy, even with good intentions. (It was apparent to everyone who cared that she and Ron had had crushes on each other for years now, and that this latest development was a big shock.) And, like with Allen, Luna figured the best policy was to lend a sympathetic ear for when Hermione was ready for it.

"I think Allen's been through a lot," Luna said softly. "He's at a place where he doesn't know who to trust. You have to give it time."

Hermione sighed. "He's being so uncooperative. How can I help someone who doesn't want it?"

Luna smiled knowingly. "You can't." She stood and gathered her things. Hermione did the same and together they walked out the Great Hall and to the staircases. "But," Luna continued, "what you can do is show that you're on Allen's side. Not because Dumbledore told you to, either, but because you really want to be. I think that's what he really needs right now."

They reached the third floor, where Luna would part ways for Transfiguration while Hermione continued upstairs for Arithmancy. "I'm not sure I do, though," Hermione admitted quietly. "I've no reason to trust him."

"But what's he done to make you not?" Luna replied.

Hermione had no answer to this, and so Luna left for class without another word, leaving Hermione to ponder the remark alone.