Chapter 3

Just an Normal, Average Walk

The air was still and calm as Gajeel meandered through the halls of Hogwarts, hands firmly thrust into his robe pockets. A soft whistle echoed across the stone and he paused his steps to study a nearby suit of armor. Doors opened and closed behind him. Shoes scuffed on the stone floor and fabric rustled for a moment. After a few seconds, the halls became silent once again.

Gajeel resumed his walk forward, keeping his steps shorter and slower. He didn't have any classes in that wing of the school, but he made sure to walk through the halls of the first floor at least a few times a day.

It hadn't taken him long to discover the hidden notebook tucked away underneath one of the Common Room chair cushions, or to discover that someone had written his entire schedule, down to the paths he normally took to each class. He had been on edge for an entire week after the discovery, looking over his shoulder at every turn he took in the numerous hallways leading to his classes. But as the Ravenclaws said: Hufflepuffs were great finders, but not necessarily the best at hiding.

He rounded the corner and walked past the numerous doors and classrooms. He glared at the gargoyles guarding the staff room, waiting for their heads to swivel in his direction before moving past. The muffled squeal that echoed against the stones behind him told Gajeel that the gargoyles grew bored of staring at the back of his head and acquired a new target.

He passed by the first floor classrooms, waited at the end of the hall for a few minutes for more doors to open and close, and began the trek to the upper floors. He quickly navigated the moving staircases, made sure to hurry past the creepy girl's bathroom, and soon reached the third floor. Doors opened murmurs came from within the classrooms. Students filed into the hallway, giving him strange looks as they passed by. With a sigh, Gajeel leaned against one of the windows and pretended to look at the gardens below him. A ghost hovered near his head. She dimpled and gave him a knowing smirk. Gajeel rolled his eyes and shoved off the window to avoid the annoying conversation he was sure would follow.

The shuffling behind him grew louder and Gajeel realized he had begun walking in his normal, long-legged stride. He made an effort to slow his steps and the hallway once again turned silent. His sensitive ears picked up a whispered conversation and he smiled to himself, debating if he should turn around and scare the students following him.

He rounded a sharp turn, eyes focused ahead. A group of Slytherin boys walked toward him. They smirked and looked down the hall, their heads close together as they plotted. Gajeel cleared his throat loudly, causing the boys to startle and finally look at him. They glanced behind him, then back to his face before ducking their heads and turning back the way they came.

Soft sighs echoed against the stone walls. Gajeel growled, his head turning before he caught himself. He had things to do, naps to take, yet here he was trekking up and down each floor of the school and earning more than one odd look from passing teachers and students.

A flash of blue caught his eye. Reining in his thoughts, Gajeel ducked his head and thrust his hands deeper into his pockets. He willed his heart not to start its strange pounding that seemed to happen whenever the tiny Prefect was around. Levy laughed and bumped shoulders with the tall blonde standing next to her. They both giggled, arms laden with books.

Maybe if I keep my head down…

"Gajeel? What are you doing on this side of the building? I thought you didn't have charms class today?"

"Nah, I don't," he responded with a small shrug and faced the curious Prefect. "Just thought I'd take a walk."

"Really?" Levy bit her lip, her eyes flickering behind him.

"Well, if that's all…" he nodded to the blonde and moved out of the way to let them pass.

Levy darted in front of him, "Why don't you walk with us?"

He scratched his neck, willing his ears not to grow warm. "Th-thanks, Shorty…but I…can't."

"What's the rush?"

"Ya know, classes startin' and stuff…"

"But I thought you didn't have any classes right now?"

He frowned and jerked a thumb behind him. "I don't but they–"

Gajeel clamped his mouth shut, glaring down at the tiny girl who did nothing to hide the devious smirk on her face.

The blonde Gryffindor snorted into her hand. Levy coughed, which sounded more like a choking sound, and Gajeel stared off into the distance, ignoring the way his neck grew hot.

"Well then," Levy seemed to finally collect her breath and gave him a beaming smile that made his heart pound even harder, "I'll leave you to your…rounds."

She gave his arm a pat and walked down the hall with her friend. Gajeel turned, watching the duo as they walked away. A dozen spots of gold and black darted to the walls, suddenly fascinated by the stonework they found there. The blonde girl looked over her shoulder and gave him a look…what it meant, he wasn't sure. With a shake of his head he resumed his trek forward…and couldn't help but chuckle at the sound of fabric rustling and feet scurrying to keep up.