"I.I think they're.Erumpents." Hermione stammered, not taking her eyes
off the creatures. They were about the height of a Great Dane, but
with a much larger body mass, like a rhinoceros. Each had a long,
sharp looking horn on the snout, and a long rope-like tail. There
were about half a dozen of these creatures in a pen Hagrid must've put
up behind his house.
"What's an Erumpent?" Ron asked, not taking his eyes off them.
Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by a louder voice.
"C'mere you three!" Hagrid called over to them cheerfully. They all looked nervously at each other before moving closer to Hagrid and the creatures. Harry was surprised to see Professor Gazten was there as well, he hadn't seen her at first and wondered what she was doing there. When all the students were there, Hagrid began the lesson.
"E'llo kids! I'm back! I won' ask if yeh all missed me, cuz I'm not shur I wan ta hear the answer!" He laughed at his own joke and Harry, Ron and Hermione laughed with him. They wanted him to feel like he was indeed missed. Though they hoped these creatures were not as dangerous as some of the ones he'd shown them in the past.
Draco Malfoy and his crowd were making rude comments off to the side; no doubt they wished Hagrid had not returned. Harry wondered why Malfoy wasn't being as blatantly rude as he had been to Hagrid in the past, then figured it must have something to do with Gazten's presence. He turned his attention away from them and back to the lesson.
"I'm shur yeh all know Professor Gazten," Hagrid continued, "she's here ta give me a hand today. The creatures in the pen o'er there are called Erumpents. Now the ones we've got are jes babies, cuz the 'dults would be too much ta start ya's off on."
He walked over to the pen and stood right next to the one closest to him. He put out one of his oversized hands and began ever so gently stroking it's back.
"These are very docile creatures, yeh see? As long as yeh's all do as I tell ya, there should be no problems."
Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged nervous glances. Creatures that Hagrid thought were 'no problem' in the past usually ended up being very much of a problem.
"Now," Hagrid said, taking his hand away from the creature and turning back to the class, "I want all o' yeh's ta get a look at the 'orns on the 'rumpents. Be very careful not teh touch the tip. It's filled with a deadly fluid, whatever gets injected with tha' fluid explodes."
The entire class went deathly silent upon hearing this, some students took a few steps back, away from the pen.
"Are you trying to kill us?" Draco yelled from where he was standing in the back. Harry turned and glared at him, though he wasn't keen on going near the Erumpents, either.
"I was wonderin' when you'd decide to say sumthin'," Hagrid replied, nonplussed.
"Well what are we supposed to be doing then?" Draco called back. "I don't see that we need to feed them, they're gigantic!" He glared at Hagrid while his friends all snickered, muttering their agreement under their breath.
Hagrid turned and gestured towards Gazten.
"Professor Gazten can explain tha' teh yeh's."
Gazten, who had been giving Malfoy a piercing look, turned her attention to the rest of the class before speaking.
"Erumpent horns, tails, and the exploding fluid, can all be used in potions. Since it is very dangerous for anyone who's inexperienced with these creatures to be dealing with their horns, you are going to be plucking tail hairs. Now there is a specific way in which to do this. Hagrid and I will be going around and showing you how to do it once you've split into groups." When she finished speaking, she stepped back and let Hagrid continue the lesson.
"One thing I want teh point out," he said walking back over to the pen. He put his hand out again and rubbed the back of the creature. "The hide's on these 'ere creatures is very thick. It will not be affected by charms and curses; so do NOT provoke them into charging. Their 'orns cannot only pierce skin, but anythin' yeh see around yeh's. It's strong enough teh cut through metal. If one of 'em charges, it'll be very hard to stop it. So please wait to do anythin' until Professor Gazten or me shows you how."
Harry, Ron and Hermione waited while Hagrid and Gazten moved among the students. Hagrid was helping the Gryffindors while Gazten took the Slytherins. When he finally got to them came right up to Harry, and embraced him in a huge bear hug.
"'Arry! I've missed yeh! I can't believe how big yeh've gotten!" he cried. Harry couldn't reply, as he couldn't breathe. He couldn't even move his arms. When Hagrid finally did release him, it took him a minute to catch his breath before he could say anything. He glanced at Ron and Hermione, who were obviously trying to restrain themselves from laughing, but only so they wouldn't offend Hagrid.
"I missed you too Hagrid," Harry said at last. "It hasn't been the same here without you." Hagrid beamed at him and Harry was afraid for a moment that he was going to hug him again, but then he breathed a sigh of relief as Hagrid turned to Ron and Hermione.
"I'd like yeh all teh come down an see me this weekend, I wan teh catch up on everythin' tha's happened. Dumbledore sent me an owl here and there, but mostly jes to ask how I was doin' and teh tell me how things were goin', but I still want teh hear all about it from you."
"Of course we'll come see you!" Hermione exclaimed happily, which only made Hagrid's smile widen.
"Good, it's settled then! Now, lemme show yeh's how teh go about collectin' the 'airs."
He turned away from them and started towards the closest Erumpent and they followed him, somewhat hesitantly. No one was eager to get very close to the creatures after hearing about the horns.
When they were all in the pen, Hagrid showed them how to keep the Erumpent calm, it loved to be stroked down it's back. He looked at them expectantly, waiting, so Harry finally stepped forward and put his hand on the animals back. It had the roughest skin; he couldn't believe it even felt him touching it.
Then Hagrid showed Ron and Hermione how to get the hairs, taking a little section of the tail in their hands, they had to gently massage it, little by little. Slowly the hairs would loosen and fall out. They were given a jar to put underneath, so the hairs would fall right in.
The three of them took turns; one stroking it's back, while the others massaged the tail. Harry kept glancing around the pen to see where Gazten was with the Slytherins. When she was busy trying to help one group who were on the verge of upsetting their Erumpent, he called Hagrid over.
"What is it 'arry?" Hagrid asked as he stepped up to him. Harry was stroking the Erumpent's back while he talked.
"I wanted to ask you about Professor Gazten," he began.
"What about 'er?" Hagrid replied, looking slightly confused.
"Well.did she come here with you?" Harry asked, cautiously. Hagrid nodded at him once, waiting for him to continue. "Do you know her well? Where did you meet her?"
Hagrid appeared almost taken back by the questions for a moment, and Harry felt bad for asking.
"Did sumthin' appen? Why deh yeh want teh know?" he asked, looking concerned.
Harry glanced towards Gazten again to make sure she wasn't close by, before telling Hagrid about what he had seen in the hospital wing. When he was done, he was surprised to see Hagrid was smiling at him.
"Listen teh me 'arry. Don' worry yerself none about Allison. I'll tell yeh's all about my trip, an' how I met 'er. But not right now."
Hagrid chuckled to himself as he turned away and Harry just watched him, he was glad to see Hagrid didn't seem to be worried in the least about Gazten.
"Well I guess that means we can trust her," Ron spoke up from down behind the animal, then he gave a disgusted grunt. "Bloody hell, this is worse than cat hair! Want to switch now?" he asked. Harry glanced down at Ron, whose hands were covered in the thin tail hairs and nodded. Hermione just rolled her eyes and kept massaging her part.
Harry had just begun to start on the tail, when a violent shudder went through him. Hermione looked at him questioningly.
"Cold?" she asked, not really expecting that to be the reason. It was still summer weather and as such it was very hot out. Harry shook his head.
"No," he replied, then shrugged. He had no idea what had caused it, but he was now feeling very uncomfortable. His stomach turned and he felt for a moment as if he were going to be sick. Hermione could see this in his face and was looking at him, concerned.
Harry pulled his hands away from the tail as they had begun to shake, he couldn't keep them still. "Something's wrong," he said quietly.
"I can see that, are you going to be ill?" Hermione asked. Harry slowly shook his head.
"No, not like that. Something here is wrong."
"Where here?" she asked.
"I don't know yet," he replied standing up. He started looking around for anything that seemed strange, clasping his hands together to try and keep them still.
Harry took a few steps away from the Erumpent to get a better look around.
"What are you doing?" Ron asked.
"He thinks something's wrong," Hermione answered, standing up. The three of them looked at the other students standing in the pen, but couldn't see that anything was out of the ordinary.
"Well, maybe you're just being paranoid, did you get enough sleep last night?" Ron asked.
"I'm not being paranoid, I just know something's up," Harry replied. He began to walk further into the pen, moving away from the Gryffindors and towards the Slytherins. Professor Gazten noticed him and walked over.
"Do you need help with something?" she asked pleasantly. "Hagrid is helping the Gryffindors, I'm sure he'll be right over as soon as he."
"No, I don't need help," Harry cut her off. He grimaced at hearing his own voice, as he hadn't meant to sound so abrupt, so he quickly continued. "Is everything okay? Are the Slytherins doing alright?" he asked, trying to look around her. He felt stupid for asking but he couldn't think of another way to find out.
"They're fine," she replied, fixing him with a suspicious look, obviously realizing on any normal day Harry wouldn't care about the Slytherins. "Why do you ask?"
Harry didn't have an answer. He couldn't tell her why he wanted to know because he knew it would sound crazy and paranoid, and there really was no explanation that he could come up with that would sound plausible.
"Just wondering," he finally mumbled, starting to turn back towards where Ron and Hermione were standing, watching him. He felt Professor Gazten's eyes following him back to his side of the pen, but didn't turn around.
"Harry, what is going on?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know," he replied, frustrated. "I can't explain it I just feel that." he trailed off. For some reason he had an overwhelming urge to find Malfoy at that very moment. He glanced around anxiously, seeing that Gazten was overseeing some students a few feet away. Malfoy and his goons had chosen one of the Erumpents in the far corner of the pen. Without a second thought, Harry started towards them, not having the slightest idea what he was going to do.
He had only gone a few steps when he felt a hand close over his arm, and he turned around.
"What are you doing?" Ron hissed. "If he's up to something," he said nodding towards Malfoy, "and you go over there he'll probably just find a way to blame it on you."
"I don't know if he's up to something, all I know is I have to go over there, now."
Ron looked at him like he was mad, and Harry didn't have any response for that. He shrugged Ron's hand off his arm and turned again, this time almost walking into Hagrid.
"'Arry, yeh've not been doing what yer suppos'd teh be for a while now. What's the matter?"
"Hagrid," Harry started, "I just need to ask Draco a question, it's very important." He honestly didn't have any question for him at all, but needed to get over to him, and fast.
"Malfoy?" Hagrid asked incredulously. "I know I've been gone fer a while but I never thought I'd come back to see the two a' yeh's gettin' along."
"Can I please get by?" Harry asked. His hands were visibly shaking now and he was very cold, which Hagrid noticed.
"I think it'd be better fer you teh see Madam Pomfrey. Yeh look like yeh might be comin' down with sumthin'."
"I'm not," Harry replied. "I promise I'll go anyway though if you please just let me talk to Malfoy for one second! Please?"
Hagrid looked at him pointedly, and Harry thought he was going to tell him no. He knew that his request was making no sense; it didn't even make sense to him. But he didn't think the feeling was going to go away until he knew for sure that everything was okay. He looked up at Hagrid, pleading with his eyes.
"Fine," he said at last, and Harry smiled. "But," he added quickly, "straight teh the hospital wing with yeh when yeh've finished."
"Promise," Harry replied. He stepped around Hagrid quickly and again began to move towards where Malfoy was working, only to be stopped again.
No one grabbed him or stepped in front of him this time though, the Erumpent let out a loud cry and bucked on it's hind legs, before landing with a crash and racing forward, straight at Harry.
Harry didn't stop to think, he flung himself to the side and hit the ground mere seconds before the Erumpent reached the spot he had been standing. Every student in the pen had seen what happened, and were now frantically scrambling to get out of the pen. There was screaming everywhere, and Harry looked around frantically for his friends.
Suddenly he felt someone put their hands under his arms and yank him into a standing position. He turned around to see Hagrid standing behind him.
"What do we do now?" Harry asked trying to sound as calm as possible. He wasn't shaking or cold any longer, but he barely noticed it. Hagrid just grabbed his arm and pulled him over to a side of the pen.
"Out," he said gesturing for Harry to climb. Harry was about to protest, he wanted to make sure everyone was okay, and to see what caused that to happen. But Hagrid looked as if he were going to toss him out of the pen if he didn't move, so he began to climb. Hagrid waited until he was completely out before turning back to those still inside.
The scene was one of chaos. Some students were trying to shoot curses at the wild Erumpent, but nothing would get through its thick hide. Some had gotten trampled in the rush to escape, and some where already out. Hagrid and Gazten were trying to get everyone out as fast as possible.
Harry began to look around him to see where Ron and Hermione were, hoping they had gotten out. He let out a sigh of relief when he finally spotted them in a group of Gryffindors on the opposite side of the pen, and began to move towards them.
He only stopped when he ran into Draco Malfoy.
"What did you do?" he asked him stonily. Malfoy just glared back at him, smugly.
"What makes you think I did anything?" he retorted.
Harry decided not to waste his time, he knew Malfoy would never admit to doing anything wrong, so he stepped around the group of Slytherins, and again headed towards Ron and Hermione.
A shrill scream from inside the pen made everyone turn to see what had happened. A Slytherin girl that Harry didn't recognize was lying on the ground, clutching her side. He was horrified to see she was bleeding, which meant the horn's fluid must be inside her now. The Erumpent was about to have another go at her. Harry looked to see that Hagrid was too far away, and he didn't see Professor Gazten at all now, so without a second thought, he lifted himself over the fence, and began running towards her.
Harry could see there was no way he was going to make it to her in time; the Erumpent was already too close. Hagrid was even further away then he was, so Harry did the only thing he could think of. He reached into his robes, pulling out his wand. He didn't point it at the Erumpent, as he knew anything he threw at it would most likely bounce off, but instead pointed it at the girl.
Concentrating very hard, he lifted her off the ground in the second before the creature ripped its horn into the soft earth she had been laying on. He moved her through the air and gently placed her down on the grass a short way outside the pen. A few of the students nearby moved over to her immediately and Harry wondered how much time she had before the fluid would take affect. He still didn't see Gazten anywhere, so he turned to look for Hagrid.
The Erumpent was on him before he had a chance to think. It had seen that the girl was no longer in reach, and went for Harry instead. With its head lowered, it had charged at him, and Harry tried to move out of its path, but didn't have the time. He felt its snout hit him on his left hip, and the horn ripped though his robes, but didn't penetrate his skin. His back was slammed into the pen as the creature carried him on it's snout, it backed up to make another run and Harry felt the tip of the horn scraping his arm as it pulled out.
He hit the ground; all the air knocked out of him and tried frantically to scramble to his feet. The Erumpent had already begun running at him again, and he knew he wasn't going to get over in time. He put his foot up, not willing to just give up, and began climbing the fence, expecting to feel the blow at any second, but it never came. Ron and Hermione had rushed over to him and helped him the rest of the way over.
When he looked back into the pen he saw that Hagrid had grabbed it from behind. It was squirming, furiously, in his grip, but couldn't free itself. They watched as Hagrid put his hand in front of the animals face, sprinkling a powder onto its snout. Within seconds it was sleeping, soundly in his arms.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked him immediately, she was very pale and both her and Ron were obviously concerned.
"I'm fine," Harry said, trying still to catch his breath. "It just scratched me." He looked down at his arm through the tear in his robes to see the scrape was bleeding, heavier than he thought it would be.
"You need to see Madam Pomfrey," Ron said quietly, knowing Harry wanted nothing less than to go to the hospital wing.
"I will, I promise," he said, then continued quickly, "How's the girl?" He looked to where he had set her down to see a crowd of people surrounding her. Before either of his friends could protest that he should get checked now, he headed over to her. The three of them pushed their way through the crowd to find Gazten was kneeling over the girl.
She was propped up on her elbows with her long blonde hair hanging down behind her. The rip in her robes revealed her skin underneath, but there was no mark. The wound that had been bleeding freely just moments before was completely healed. She looked up when Harry stepped into view and her cheeks flushed.
"Thank you," she said quietly, looking into Harry's eyes. "You saved my life."
"Are you okay?" he asked, feeling stupid the second the words left his mouth. She was sitting up talking to him showing no pain whatsoever and her wound was healed. Of course she was okay, and Harry suspected that Gazten had something to do with it.
She nodded at him and smiled, before she began to stand. Harry instinctively reached a hand out to help her, and she took it.
"Thanks," she said again, when she was standing next to him. He noticed she had the brightest blue eyes he had ever seen.
"Don't go anywhere just yet Melanie," Gazten spoke up as she stood. "You either Harry." She looked at the tear in Harry's robes and the blood that was dripping down them. "Both of you are going to the hospital wing to make sure you're okay."
All of the students were whispering to each other, most were wondering how the large wound that Melanie had gotten just disappeared. Gazten seemed to be the only person not surprised about this, but she also didn't seem to be giving out the answers.
Just as they started to head up to the school, Hagrid came over, sounding winded.
"Are yeh's okay?" he asked looking back and forth between Harry and Melanie, anxiously. When he noticed the blood on Harry's robes he reached forward and grabbed his arm, Harry winced at the pain that shot through it.
"It's deep Allison," he said quietly looking at Gazten. She stepped over to get a better look at Harry's arm and he noticed for the first time that she looked a bit drained. She raised a hand and gently ran her fingers along the gash. Harry felt a slight tingling everywhere her skin touched his, then she pulled her hand away.
"He'll be okay, but they both need to get up to the hospital wing now," she said.
Hagrid nodded emphatically.
"Yes, yes, both eh yeh's get yerselves up there now," he said, his voice full of concern.
"Hagrid," Harry started.
"Later 'arry. It's important fer you teh get that cut looked at now."
Harry looked into Hagrid's eyes and realized that last statement was his final word on the matter. He nodded and began walking.
When the students reached the school, Gazten took Harry and Melanie aside to go with them to the hospital wing. Harry said goodbye to Ron and Hermione, as they had to get to their next class, and began the familiar walk. Here it was, the third day of school and he'd been in the hospital wing for one reason or another every day since his return.
The three of them walked through the double doors together. Gazten told them to wait there, while she explained to Madam Pomfrey what had happened. As soon as she had gone, Harry turned to Melanie.
"Are you okay? And I know you don't have a cut anymore, I mean are you feeling okay."
"I will be," she replied. "Honestly I'm still a little shaken up over it," she admitted. Harry stared at her, thinking how pretty her hair looked the way it cascaded over her shoulders with the slightest inclination of her head. He quickly shook the thought from his head when he realized she had asked him a question.
"Sorry?" he asked, hoping he hadn't seemed too out of it.
"I asked how you're doing. You're arm looks pretty bad."
"Oh, I'll be fine," he said, brushing it off. "Don't worry about it."
An amused smile touched her lips, and she gave a delicate nod before continuing.
"I just have to ask you, why did you do it?"
"Do what?" Harry asked, truly confused.
"Save me. You could have been killed."
"Well," Harry began, not sure why this question required an answer, "why wouldn't I? I didn't think about it before I did it, it just happened."
"But I'm in Slytherin," she replied. Harry looked at her, dumbstruck.
"Are you saying that should matter?" he asked.
"You tell me," she replied. "If it had been another student in that pen. Draco Malfoy, for instance, would you have done the same thing?"
"Yes," Harry answered without hesitation.
Melanie stared at him, as if sizing him up, for a few minutes, then she just shrugged.
"Okay."
Harry was at a loss for words. He couldn't think of anything to say to that response, so he just stayed quiet. Luckily Madam Pomfrey and Gazten were now on their way over to them.
"Let's have a look at that arm Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey said when she was next to him. Harry held out his arm and she pushed the tattered pieces of robe out of the way to have a look at the gash. She turned to Allison, who was holding a small jar, and dabbed her fingers into it. Then she rubbed it gently into Harry's arm, which immediately began burning. He bit down hard, not wanting to cry out in front of any of them, and luckily, the pain was very short-lived.
Harry watched as the redness and swelling went down immediately. Madam Pomfrey quickly bandaged the cut and then let go of his arm. She checked Melanie over and just like Professor Gazten, didn't seem the least surprised that there was no wound where one should have been. Both of them were given a potion, which they drank where they were standing, to fight any of the fluid that might still be in their systems.
"You were both very lucky today," Gazten said after Madam Pomfrey had taken the empty glasses and headed back to her office. "Do either of you know what happened?" She was looking at Harry pointedly.
As much as he would've loved to say Malfoy had done something he had no proof. He honestly didn't know what had caused the Erumpent to charge in the first place.
"Well, both of you get on to your classes then," Gazten said, dismissing them. "I will tell Professor Dumbledore what has happened, and if he needs to speak with either of you he will."
Harry left the hospital wing with Melanie, very grateful for such a short visit. They walked slowly through the halls, neither of them feeling the need to rush to their next class.
"I can't believe you didn't tell her," Melanie said at last, breaking the silence.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, again confused her.
"About what Draco did," she said.
Harry looked at her, incredulously.
"So he did do something then?"
"You didn't know? You were trying to get over to him for a while there; I just assumed you knew what he was doing," she said.
"Well, why didn't you say something back there?" Harry asked. Melanie stopped walking and he did too. She looked at him carefully for a moment before she spoke.
"What would that have gained me?" she asked finally.
"Gained you?"
"Think about it. If I told them Draco had caused the Erumpent to charge I would be getting him in trouble. That would make my entire house upset with me to say the least, and we would lose points!"
Harry's jaw dropped.
"That's why you didn't say anything?" he asked. She nodded at him.
"But.he almost got you killed! Every one of us out there was in danger because of him! Isn't that a good reason to say something?"
"Harry," she began. "I thank you for saving me, I'm very grateful. But I'm not going to turn on my house because of it."
"I wasn't asking you to for that!" he exclaimed. He stopped for a moment, seeing the expression on her face. She was not going to change her mind. "Can you at least tell me what he did?"
Melanie turned and gave him the sweetest smile before answering.
"Why would I do that?" she asked.
Harry smiled with her, before realizing what he was doing. He put his head down, feeling the blood rush to his face. When he raised his head, she was still looking at him and he realized how clear her eyes were. The only word to describe them was 'beautiful.'
When she finally broke their gaze to look down, he realized he'd been staring.
"Sorry," he mumbled. They began walking again, in silence. Harry wanted to find out about Draco, but he knew she wasn't going to give in. He felt he should be angry with her, but for some reason, he wasn't even upset.
When they finally reached the point where they had to separate to get to their classes, they both stopped. There was an awkward silence for a moment and Harry was the first to find his voice.
"It was nice to meet you Melanie," he said.
"Call me Mel, all my friends do," she replied. Harry smiled at her, not realizing she would think of him as a friend.
"Okay, well, hope to see you around sometime Mel."
"Cool. See you later Harry," she replied. Harry watched as she walked off down the hall. She had one of the most delicate frames he'd ever seen. When at last she was out of sight, he turned and headed toward his class.
Harry walked into the Transfiguration classroom, and took his seat next to Ron. McGonagall had been told what happened, and didn't ask where he had been. She glanced at the tear in his robes, concerned, but continued with the lesson.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked, leaning over Ron to whisper to Harry.
"I'm fine, all taken care of," he said, smiling, pulling the robes over to show them the bandages.
"What about the Erumpent fluid though? Did they give you anything for that?" she asked.
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey gave us some medicine."
"Would the three of you like to share your discussion with the rest of us?" McGonagall spoke up from behind them. She was giving them a pointed look, clearly displeased with their interruption. They looked at her sheepishly and apologized, their talk would have to wait.
When the lesson was over, the three of them left the classroom, and headed to the great hall for lunch.
"Do you remember everything from last year?" Ron asked as they walked.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Everything you learned, you know, from the knowledge. You were the first one to change those bunnies into birds today, and not that I don't think you could've done it anyway.but."
"Gee thanks," Harry replied sardonically, smirking at Ron. "I remember a lot of it, depends really."
"What do you mean? Depends on what?" Hermione asked, seeming interested.
"Well, last year I was taught what they thought would be most important to make the knowledge adjust faster. Some things that I use in every day classes, I remember better because it's repetitive. Other things I have to think about harder because there were spells and curses I'd probably never use anyway."
"Oh," Ron said, sounding uncertain.
"It's just like anything else you learn Ron," Harry tried again. "Some things stick, some things don't."
They reached the doors to the great hall and went in together. Harry couldn't help himself and immediately looked over to the Slytherin table. When he spotted Mel, he waved to her, and she smiled back.
"Um," Ron began, "good friends with her now, are you?"
Harry turned back to Ron, noticing the skeptical look on his face.
"What?" he asked; faintly annoyed. "I'm not allowed to wave at her?"
The three of them went to where Ginny was sitting, waiting for them.
"I didn't mean that," Ron began, but he didn't continue, which told Harry that most likely was what Ron had meant.
"Look, we talked a bit while we were waiting for Madam Pomfrey, she's pretty nice," Harry said. Ron's eyes widened as he stared at Harry.
"But.she's a Slytherin!" he finally got out.
"So?" Harry asked, defensively. Ron opened his mouth to respond, when Hermione cut him off.
"Really Ron, what's the matter with Harry being friends with her? We can't judge all the Slytherins on Draco Malfoy."
"Speak for yourself," Ron muttered, looking sulky. He didn't say anything else though, just busied himself with eating.
"What are we talking about?" Ginny spoke up finally. "And what happened to your arm?" She glanced at the three of them, looking entirely confused. Harry and Hermione explained the events of the Care of Magical Creatures class.
"So who did it then?" Ginny asked, looking completely amazed at what she had just been told.
"Malfoy," Harry answered, bitterly. "I just wish I knew what he did."
"Maybe we can ask your new friend," Ron said, glancing up from his plate.
"I did ask her," Harry began, then stopped. He liked Mel and seeing how Ron was reacting to Harry just waving at her, he wasn't going to repeat what she had told him. "She didn't know," he finished, looking down at his plate. He could feel Ron looking at him, but refused to meet his eyes.
"She probably does know," Ron said. "You know that don't you? She just said she didn't so her house wouldn't look bad."
Harry didn't respond. He couldn't say anything in Mel's defense because what Ron said was true, but he didn't confirm it for him either.
"I'm going to change," Harry said, standing up. He didn't feel like eating any more right now. "I don't want to walk around the rest of the day with blood on my robes. See you guys later."
Later that night when classes were over, Harry decided to write to Cho. He had promised her that he would tell her everything that happened, and since so much already had, he wanted to tell her as much as possible.
He grabbed some parchment and ink, and sat in one corner of the common room to work on it. When he was almost finished, Ron finally ventured over to see him. They hadn't spoken since lunch.
"What are you doing?" Ron asked, sitting down across from Harry.
"Writing a letter," he replied, not looking up at him.
"Who's it for?"
"Cho."
"Are you going to mention your new friend?" Ron asked, haughtily. Harry slowly raised his head, to meet Ron's gaze.
"Look," he began in a calm voice, "you don't have to like Mel, it's up to you. But I'm not going to sit around and listen to you say bad things about her. I don't care what house she's in." Harry started to stand and Ron jumped up with him, holding out a hand to stop him.
"Wait," he said quickly. "That's not what I came over here for, I'm sorry. I may not like it, but you can be friends with whoever you want, even if they are a Slytherin."
"I'm not a big Slytherin fan either, remember?" Harry asked. "But I won't judge every student in that house because the sorting hat put them there. I think if you met her, you might like her too."
Ron laughed, and rolled his eyes.
"Well, I'll believe that if it happens." Harry threw him a warning look and he quickly continued. "I'm sure you're right.okay? I was being an idiot."
"Hey, I'm used to that from you," Harry replied smiling cheerfully. Ron looked at him, seeming very insulted. But he couldn't keep the smile off his face. He picked up a pillow from the chair behind him and threw it at Harry, who easily ducked it. He quickly set down the ink and parchment so he could pluck another pillow from the chair nearest him.
The two of them had a mini pillow fight in the corner, laughing and shouting and drawing much attention from all the students around the room. They only stopped when they heard a voice nearby call to them.
"Will you two please at least try to act like seventh-years?"
"Aw c'mon Hermione," Ron said from the floor. He and Harry had both just dove down for more ammunition when she had come over. She gave them disapproving looks, showing she didn't find this amusing.
"I think Hermione doesn't know what she's missing," Harry said glancing at Ron with a sly grin on his face.
"I think you're right," Ron said, smiling wickedly. "What d'ya say we show her?"
Hermione took a few tentative steps back as Ron and Harry stood up, their arms now loaded with pillows. She turned and took off, and they ran after her. The two of them together were able to cut her off at every turn, so she was unable to get to the door that led to the girls' dorms. But after a few pillows had hit her, she decided to fight back. She caught the next pillow that came soaring towards her head, and flung it straight at Ron's face.
"Oof!" was the muffled sound that came from behind the pillow before it fell to the floor. He bent down quickly to pick it up, and flung it full force back at her. She ducked just in time and it went careening over her head, and straight into Harry's face, knocking his glasses off.
"Sorry Harry!" Ron cringed when he saw the glasses hit the floor. Harry just laughed at him.
"Yeah, sure you are. It's okay anyway, see? They're fine." He held up the glasses to show they were intact, before slipping them back on. He looked around the room to see every person had stopped what they were doing to follow the progress of the fight.
"Sorry," he said, holding up his hands. "Didn't mean to disturb you all."
He walked back over to the corner of the room where his letter to Cho was sitting on the table, Ron and Hermione following him. Ron had a huge smile on his face, which was very red from all the running around. Hermione was busy trying to get her hair smoothed out again.
"You guys want to take a walk to the owlery?" he asked. "I want to send this out tonight."
"Sure, as long as you don't bring any pillows with you," Hermione replied. Harry and Ron laughed at her.
"Promise," he said.
"So," Hermione said as they walked, "what are you telling Cho?"
"Pretty much everything," Harry answered.
"Everything?" Ron asked, wide-eyed. Harry stifled the laugh that wanted to come out after seeing Ron's expression.
"Well, not every single little detail but mostly everything, yes."
"Do you think that's wise, Harry?" Hermione asked. "If that letter didn't reach her."
"I didn't say very much about Lunis," Harry said, seeing where she was going with her question. I told her what happened at the feast, and that I lived because of Lunis, but that's all. I didn't tell her how to get around it."
"Do you think you should even mention Lunis?" Ron asked.
"Well, Voldemort knows about it already, so if this were somehow intercepted by one of his followers, it wouldn't be saying anything he doesn't already know," Harry explained. Hermione and Ron still appeared as though they thought this wasn't a good idea, but they didn't voice their concerns any further.
When the reached the owlery, Harry led the way over to Hedwig. It was a beautiful warm summer night, and the breeze was ruffling his messy hair.
"Hey girl," he said softly as she looked up from her perch. He reached out and stroked the soft skin under her wings, and she sat there, letting him rub her, showing complete trust. After a moment he pulled his hand away.
"I need you to deliver this for me," he said, holding up the letter before tying it to her leg. She gave his fingers and affectionate nip, before jumping effortlessly off her perch and taking flight. The three of them stood and watched until Hedwig was out of sight.
"Well," Harry said turning toward his friends, "as much as I'd love to stay up here, I'm sure we're probably not even supposed to be out this late."
"You're right," Hermione said. "We're not allowed."
Harry and Ron both looked at her blankly.
"Don't you remember? Dumbledore announced the curfew at the feast on the first night."
"I don't remember much about the first night," Harry said quickly, "I didn't hear anything he said."
"Well trust me he said it," she replied as they headed off down the stairs. They all moved silently through the halls, as quickly as possible, on their way back to the common room.
As they reached the portrait of the fat lady, Ron called out the password and the three of them stepped inside. When the portrait shut behind them Hermione turned to face Harry.
"Harry, the first night back, at the feast, you didn't feel well, did you?" she asked.
Harry gave her a quizzical look before responding.
"Well, it's not that I was sick, really. It was a strange feeling though. That's why I didn't hear much of Dumbledore's speech or the sorting."
"Right, that's what made me think of it, when you said that in the owlery. You didn't hear it because you were getting that weird feeling. Was it like the one from earlier today? In the Erumpent pen?"
Harry glanced around the room. Not many people were still up, but he didn't want anyone to overhear, so he pulled them back over to the same corner that they were in earlier.
"Yes, it was."
"Do you have any idea what caused it?" Ron asked, then continued quickly, "Was it Lunis?"
Harry shook his head.
"No, it couldn't be Lunis. Dumbledore said I could only use that once, and that it would be something I could control. I can't control these feelings and its happened twice now."
"Maybe it's some kind of side effect, from the visions." Hermione said, pressing the tips of her fingers together. She looked very deep in thought.
"I don't think it's that either," Harry said. "Dumbledore seemed to know all about the visions, he never mentioned that this would happen."
"Tell me what happens, when you get this feeling," Hermione said, looking at Harry.
"Well, both times I felt so cold, my hands would shake from it. I would just get a bad feeling really, like intuition or something. The first time I knew that there was something wrong with Gridman, and the next time I knew Malfoy was up to something. I didn't know anything specific in either situation, otherwise I probably could've prevented them, or something."
"Hmmm." Hermione mumbled. She leaned back in her chair with her knees up, thinking about what Harry had just told her. Harry looked over to Ron, who looked just as confused as he, himself felt.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Harry's hands began to shake, and he felt very cold.
"It's happening!" he whispered quickly. Both Ron and Hermione looked at him fearfully.
"Right now? Here?" Ron asked. Harry only nodded. He looked around, not really sure why, but he felt that there was someone in the room with him, that wasn't a student.
"What's the feeling this time?" Hermione asked, glancing around nervously.
"Someone's here," he said, standing up. The three of them looked around, but besides a few Gryffindor students, no one was in the room.
"Well, do you mean here in our tower, or here in the school?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know," Harry said, sounding frustrated. "I think it's." he trailed off. Ron and Hermione looked at him, waiting. After a moment, Harry looked up at them.
"Do you guys hear that?"
"Hear what?" Ron asked, still surveying the room, looking for anything out of the ordinary.
"Hold on," Harry said. He was trying to block out everything he was hearing except this new sound. It seemed as if someone were trying to talk to him, but their voice was muffled. He couldn't make out anything being said.
"There's definitely someone here," he said finally. "I can hear them trying to talk to me, but I can't make it out."
"Well than how do you know they're trying to talk to you?" Hermione asked.
"I just feel it, besides, you can't hear it, can you?"
"Are you sure it's not a snake, or someone speaking Parseltongue?" Ron asked anxiously.
"No, it isn't. That I'd be able to understand," Harry replied, he looked around then headed for the stairs. Ron and Hermione exchanged glances, before following him.
"Where are we going?" Ron asked.
"I want to check the Marauder's Map," Harry replied, not stopping. When he reached the door to his dorm, he flung it open and went straight to his trunk.
"What's going on?" Neville asked from his bed. Harry, Ron and Hermione stopped dead in their tracks, and stared at Neville. They'd forgotten that most everyone was in bed. "And what's she doing in here?" he asked, sounding more confused.
"Um, nothing. Sorry Neville," Hermione said quietly, she backed out of the room, blushing.
"What are you up to now?" Neville asked suspiciously. He was watching Harry going through his trunk.
"I just need something that I left up here, that's all. For homework." Harry found the map and quickly shoved it in his pocket, then closed his trunk. He turned with Ron and they headed for the door.
"Isn't it a bit late to be doing homework?" Neville called from behind them.
Harry just looked at him and shrugged.
"I need to get it done, don't I?" he smiled cheerfully, trying to make it seem that everything was fine. Neville was still eyeing him suspiciously, but didn't say anything else. They closed the door quietly, so as not to wake anyone else, and headed back down to the common room.
Hermione was waiting for them downstairs.
"I can't believe I did that," she said quietly, holding her head in her hands. Harry and Ron both smiled at her.
"Don't worry about it," Ron began. "It was only Neville, I'm sure he'll probably forget all about it."
"I hope you're right," she said, then turned to Harry. "Do you still hear.whatever you were hearing before?" she asked. He nodded, then took another look around the room. It appeared as though the few people that were left were about to head upstairs. They sat down in the same corner as before, until they were the only ones left in the room.
Harry pulled the map out of his pocket when they heard the last door close above them. He held his wand out with a shaking hand.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good."
The map sprung to life, revealing all of Hogwart's and the three of them crowded around it.
"There's no one up here," Ron said after looking at all the names in the Gryffindor tower area, "no one that isn't supposed to be, anyway."
"There is though," Harry said. He sighed in frustration.
"Why don't you try to ask it again?" Hermione suggested, looking up at Harry.
"My thoughts exactly," he replied. He held the map up in front of him. "Is there someone in the castle we can't see on here?" They watched anxiously, waiting for something to happen. Then slowly, the layout of Hogwart's began to swirl away, being sucked into the parchment. When it was completely gone, there were words at the top of the page.
"Who wants to know?"
"Not again," Harry mumbled quietly, then raised his voice. "Harry Potter."
"Well hello Harry Potter! Nice to hear from you again."
"Am I talking to Padfoot?" Harry asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes indeed."
Harry shook his head, why couldn't anything be easy?
"Will you answer my question now?" he asked.
"No."
Harry stared at the response in disbelief.
"Why not?" he asked, trying not to sound angry.
"Why not what?" came the response.
"Why won't you answer my question?" he replied in a strained voice.
"Are you blind? I did answer it."
"Are you stupid?" Ron yelled, startling Harry, "you just told us you wouldn't answer it."
"Who's that? The one that called me stupid." Padfoot asked.
Ron looked at Harry apologetically, and Harry just shook his head.
"Don't worry about it," he said to Ron. "Just tell him your name, will you?"
"Ron Weasley," Ron said out loud.
"Well Ron Weasley," Padfoot replied. "I'm not stupid. You're the ones that didn't see my answer, there's nothing I can do about that."
"But.you didn't give an answer!" Harry sputtered. "I asked you if you would and you said no!"
"He was answering your first question," Hermione piped up, suddenly. Harry and Ron both turned to her quickly. "When he said no, he was telling you there's no one else here."
Harry could feel his face turning red, and saw Ron's was as well; he sheepishly turned back to the map to see a new question.
"Who's the intelligent one?"
"Hermione Granger," Hermione said immediately.
"Well done, Hermione Granger. Good thing these two idiots have someone with brains to help them out."
Hermione just beamed at the map, looking quite proud of herself.
"Oh come off it," Ron said, looking at her. "It's just a map."
Hermione glared at Ron, but didn't say anything and Harry just rolled his eyes at them. He pulled his wand out again, and pointed it at the map.
"Thanks for your help, Padfoot," he said, grudgingly.
There was no response.
"Oh well, guess he's gone," Harry shrugged. "Misch." he began to say the words to turn the map off, but stopped suddenly. The map was spelling out two words over and over and over, and it caused Harry's blood to run cold.
"That can't be right," Hermione whispered weakly, staring in horror at the map. "It's impossible."
"I hope you're right," Harry replied, still unable to tear his eyes away from the words in front of him. 'Peter's Here,' was being scrawled, by an invisible hand it seemed, slowly filling the page.
"Maybe it's a different Peter," Ron said quickly, "it doesn't say here that it's Wormtail."
Harry looked at his friend to see Ron didn't even believe his own suggestion. But he didn't see how Wormtail could be there. He was dead, and the Zlam had his body. There was no reason he could think of that they would ever bring it to Hogwart's, especially after what Tytros told him a few days ago, about Forden not wanting anything to do with them ever again.
"Padfoot, are you doing that?" Harry asked out loud. There was again, no response from the map; only the same words appearing over and over.
"Mischief managed," Harry said, with his wand aimed at the map. Nothing happened. The words continued to appear.
"Padfoot stop!" Harry screamed. Hermione put a hand on his arm and when he looked at her, she was shaking her head and pointing above her.
"You'll wake everyone," she said quietly. "Now let's try to remain calm and figure this out."
"I'm sorry," Harry said, "You're right." He felt silly for shouting, but he had no idea what to do. He couldn't shut the map off, and he couldn't get any response from it.
"I think it's time to see Dumbledore," Ron said finally. "If Wormtail's here we need to tell him."
"Let's go," Hermione said immediately, she began walking towards the portrait hole, and Ron moved to follow.
"C'mon Harry," he said, beckoning him to follow. But Harry didn't move. His hands were shaking violently now and his teeth were chattering.
"What's happening?" Hermione asked looking at Ron, who just shrugged back at her. Neither of them had any idea how to help Harry.
"C-c-cold," Harry managed to get out. His knees buckled and he hit the floor, still clutching the map. Ron and Hermione rushed over to him. Hermione began rubbing his arms, in an effort to keep him warm.
"Maybe we should take him to the hospital wing?" Ron suggested from next to Hermione. She nodded anxiously, and the two of them began to help Harry back onto his feet. They moved towards the portrait hole together when Harry gasped. He stopped dead in his tracks.
"What?" Hermione asked fearfully. Harry just raised a shaky hand and pointed in front of them. There, a few feet away, stood Wormtail.
"What's an Erumpent?" Ron asked, not taking his eyes off them.
Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by a louder voice.
"C'mere you three!" Hagrid called over to them cheerfully. They all looked nervously at each other before moving closer to Hagrid and the creatures. Harry was surprised to see Professor Gazten was there as well, he hadn't seen her at first and wondered what she was doing there. When all the students were there, Hagrid began the lesson.
"E'llo kids! I'm back! I won' ask if yeh all missed me, cuz I'm not shur I wan ta hear the answer!" He laughed at his own joke and Harry, Ron and Hermione laughed with him. They wanted him to feel like he was indeed missed. Though they hoped these creatures were not as dangerous as some of the ones he'd shown them in the past.
Draco Malfoy and his crowd were making rude comments off to the side; no doubt they wished Hagrid had not returned. Harry wondered why Malfoy wasn't being as blatantly rude as he had been to Hagrid in the past, then figured it must have something to do with Gazten's presence. He turned his attention away from them and back to the lesson.
"I'm shur yeh all know Professor Gazten," Hagrid continued, "she's here ta give me a hand today. The creatures in the pen o'er there are called Erumpents. Now the ones we've got are jes babies, cuz the 'dults would be too much ta start ya's off on."
He walked over to the pen and stood right next to the one closest to him. He put out one of his oversized hands and began ever so gently stroking it's back.
"These are very docile creatures, yeh see? As long as yeh's all do as I tell ya, there should be no problems."
Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged nervous glances. Creatures that Hagrid thought were 'no problem' in the past usually ended up being very much of a problem.
"Now," Hagrid said, taking his hand away from the creature and turning back to the class, "I want all o' yeh's ta get a look at the 'orns on the 'rumpents. Be very careful not teh touch the tip. It's filled with a deadly fluid, whatever gets injected with tha' fluid explodes."
The entire class went deathly silent upon hearing this, some students took a few steps back, away from the pen.
"Are you trying to kill us?" Draco yelled from where he was standing in the back. Harry turned and glared at him, though he wasn't keen on going near the Erumpents, either.
"I was wonderin' when you'd decide to say sumthin'," Hagrid replied, nonplussed.
"Well what are we supposed to be doing then?" Draco called back. "I don't see that we need to feed them, they're gigantic!" He glared at Hagrid while his friends all snickered, muttering their agreement under their breath.
Hagrid turned and gestured towards Gazten.
"Professor Gazten can explain tha' teh yeh's."
Gazten, who had been giving Malfoy a piercing look, turned her attention to the rest of the class before speaking.
"Erumpent horns, tails, and the exploding fluid, can all be used in potions. Since it is very dangerous for anyone who's inexperienced with these creatures to be dealing with their horns, you are going to be plucking tail hairs. Now there is a specific way in which to do this. Hagrid and I will be going around and showing you how to do it once you've split into groups." When she finished speaking, she stepped back and let Hagrid continue the lesson.
"One thing I want teh point out," he said walking back over to the pen. He put his hand out again and rubbed the back of the creature. "The hide's on these 'ere creatures is very thick. It will not be affected by charms and curses; so do NOT provoke them into charging. Their 'orns cannot only pierce skin, but anythin' yeh see around yeh's. It's strong enough teh cut through metal. If one of 'em charges, it'll be very hard to stop it. So please wait to do anythin' until Professor Gazten or me shows you how."
Harry, Ron and Hermione waited while Hagrid and Gazten moved among the students. Hagrid was helping the Gryffindors while Gazten took the Slytherins. When he finally got to them came right up to Harry, and embraced him in a huge bear hug.
"'Arry! I've missed yeh! I can't believe how big yeh've gotten!" he cried. Harry couldn't reply, as he couldn't breathe. He couldn't even move his arms. When Hagrid finally did release him, it took him a minute to catch his breath before he could say anything. He glanced at Ron and Hermione, who were obviously trying to restrain themselves from laughing, but only so they wouldn't offend Hagrid.
"I missed you too Hagrid," Harry said at last. "It hasn't been the same here without you." Hagrid beamed at him and Harry was afraid for a moment that he was going to hug him again, but then he breathed a sigh of relief as Hagrid turned to Ron and Hermione.
"I'd like yeh all teh come down an see me this weekend, I wan teh catch up on everythin' tha's happened. Dumbledore sent me an owl here and there, but mostly jes to ask how I was doin' and teh tell me how things were goin', but I still want teh hear all about it from you."
"Of course we'll come see you!" Hermione exclaimed happily, which only made Hagrid's smile widen.
"Good, it's settled then! Now, lemme show yeh's how teh go about collectin' the 'airs."
He turned away from them and started towards the closest Erumpent and they followed him, somewhat hesitantly. No one was eager to get very close to the creatures after hearing about the horns.
When they were all in the pen, Hagrid showed them how to keep the Erumpent calm, it loved to be stroked down it's back. He looked at them expectantly, waiting, so Harry finally stepped forward and put his hand on the animals back. It had the roughest skin; he couldn't believe it even felt him touching it.
Then Hagrid showed Ron and Hermione how to get the hairs, taking a little section of the tail in their hands, they had to gently massage it, little by little. Slowly the hairs would loosen and fall out. They were given a jar to put underneath, so the hairs would fall right in.
The three of them took turns; one stroking it's back, while the others massaged the tail. Harry kept glancing around the pen to see where Gazten was with the Slytherins. When she was busy trying to help one group who were on the verge of upsetting their Erumpent, he called Hagrid over.
"What is it 'arry?" Hagrid asked as he stepped up to him. Harry was stroking the Erumpent's back while he talked.
"I wanted to ask you about Professor Gazten," he began.
"What about 'er?" Hagrid replied, looking slightly confused.
"Well.did she come here with you?" Harry asked, cautiously. Hagrid nodded at him once, waiting for him to continue. "Do you know her well? Where did you meet her?"
Hagrid appeared almost taken back by the questions for a moment, and Harry felt bad for asking.
"Did sumthin' appen? Why deh yeh want teh know?" he asked, looking concerned.
Harry glanced towards Gazten again to make sure she wasn't close by, before telling Hagrid about what he had seen in the hospital wing. When he was done, he was surprised to see Hagrid was smiling at him.
"Listen teh me 'arry. Don' worry yerself none about Allison. I'll tell yeh's all about my trip, an' how I met 'er. But not right now."
Hagrid chuckled to himself as he turned away and Harry just watched him, he was glad to see Hagrid didn't seem to be worried in the least about Gazten.
"Well I guess that means we can trust her," Ron spoke up from down behind the animal, then he gave a disgusted grunt. "Bloody hell, this is worse than cat hair! Want to switch now?" he asked. Harry glanced down at Ron, whose hands were covered in the thin tail hairs and nodded. Hermione just rolled her eyes and kept massaging her part.
Harry had just begun to start on the tail, when a violent shudder went through him. Hermione looked at him questioningly.
"Cold?" she asked, not really expecting that to be the reason. It was still summer weather and as such it was very hot out. Harry shook his head.
"No," he replied, then shrugged. He had no idea what had caused it, but he was now feeling very uncomfortable. His stomach turned and he felt for a moment as if he were going to be sick. Hermione could see this in his face and was looking at him, concerned.
Harry pulled his hands away from the tail as they had begun to shake, he couldn't keep them still. "Something's wrong," he said quietly.
"I can see that, are you going to be ill?" Hermione asked. Harry slowly shook his head.
"No, not like that. Something here is wrong."
"Where here?" she asked.
"I don't know yet," he replied standing up. He started looking around for anything that seemed strange, clasping his hands together to try and keep them still.
Harry took a few steps away from the Erumpent to get a better look around.
"What are you doing?" Ron asked.
"He thinks something's wrong," Hermione answered, standing up. The three of them looked at the other students standing in the pen, but couldn't see that anything was out of the ordinary.
"Well, maybe you're just being paranoid, did you get enough sleep last night?" Ron asked.
"I'm not being paranoid, I just know something's up," Harry replied. He began to walk further into the pen, moving away from the Gryffindors and towards the Slytherins. Professor Gazten noticed him and walked over.
"Do you need help with something?" she asked pleasantly. "Hagrid is helping the Gryffindors, I'm sure he'll be right over as soon as he."
"No, I don't need help," Harry cut her off. He grimaced at hearing his own voice, as he hadn't meant to sound so abrupt, so he quickly continued. "Is everything okay? Are the Slytherins doing alright?" he asked, trying to look around her. He felt stupid for asking but he couldn't think of another way to find out.
"They're fine," she replied, fixing him with a suspicious look, obviously realizing on any normal day Harry wouldn't care about the Slytherins. "Why do you ask?"
Harry didn't have an answer. He couldn't tell her why he wanted to know because he knew it would sound crazy and paranoid, and there really was no explanation that he could come up with that would sound plausible.
"Just wondering," he finally mumbled, starting to turn back towards where Ron and Hermione were standing, watching him. He felt Professor Gazten's eyes following him back to his side of the pen, but didn't turn around.
"Harry, what is going on?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know," he replied, frustrated. "I can't explain it I just feel that." he trailed off. For some reason he had an overwhelming urge to find Malfoy at that very moment. He glanced around anxiously, seeing that Gazten was overseeing some students a few feet away. Malfoy and his goons had chosen one of the Erumpents in the far corner of the pen. Without a second thought, Harry started towards them, not having the slightest idea what he was going to do.
He had only gone a few steps when he felt a hand close over his arm, and he turned around.
"What are you doing?" Ron hissed. "If he's up to something," he said nodding towards Malfoy, "and you go over there he'll probably just find a way to blame it on you."
"I don't know if he's up to something, all I know is I have to go over there, now."
Ron looked at him like he was mad, and Harry didn't have any response for that. He shrugged Ron's hand off his arm and turned again, this time almost walking into Hagrid.
"'Arry, yeh've not been doing what yer suppos'd teh be for a while now. What's the matter?"
"Hagrid," Harry started, "I just need to ask Draco a question, it's very important." He honestly didn't have any question for him at all, but needed to get over to him, and fast.
"Malfoy?" Hagrid asked incredulously. "I know I've been gone fer a while but I never thought I'd come back to see the two a' yeh's gettin' along."
"Can I please get by?" Harry asked. His hands were visibly shaking now and he was very cold, which Hagrid noticed.
"I think it'd be better fer you teh see Madam Pomfrey. Yeh look like yeh might be comin' down with sumthin'."
"I'm not," Harry replied. "I promise I'll go anyway though if you please just let me talk to Malfoy for one second! Please?"
Hagrid looked at him pointedly, and Harry thought he was going to tell him no. He knew that his request was making no sense; it didn't even make sense to him. But he didn't think the feeling was going to go away until he knew for sure that everything was okay. He looked up at Hagrid, pleading with his eyes.
"Fine," he said at last, and Harry smiled. "But," he added quickly, "straight teh the hospital wing with yeh when yeh've finished."
"Promise," Harry replied. He stepped around Hagrid quickly and again began to move towards where Malfoy was working, only to be stopped again.
No one grabbed him or stepped in front of him this time though, the Erumpent let out a loud cry and bucked on it's hind legs, before landing with a crash and racing forward, straight at Harry.
Harry didn't stop to think, he flung himself to the side and hit the ground mere seconds before the Erumpent reached the spot he had been standing. Every student in the pen had seen what happened, and were now frantically scrambling to get out of the pen. There was screaming everywhere, and Harry looked around frantically for his friends.
Suddenly he felt someone put their hands under his arms and yank him into a standing position. He turned around to see Hagrid standing behind him.
"What do we do now?" Harry asked trying to sound as calm as possible. He wasn't shaking or cold any longer, but he barely noticed it. Hagrid just grabbed his arm and pulled him over to a side of the pen.
"Out," he said gesturing for Harry to climb. Harry was about to protest, he wanted to make sure everyone was okay, and to see what caused that to happen. But Hagrid looked as if he were going to toss him out of the pen if he didn't move, so he began to climb. Hagrid waited until he was completely out before turning back to those still inside.
The scene was one of chaos. Some students were trying to shoot curses at the wild Erumpent, but nothing would get through its thick hide. Some had gotten trampled in the rush to escape, and some where already out. Hagrid and Gazten were trying to get everyone out as fast as possible.
Harry began to look around him to see where Ron and Hermione were, hoping they had gotten out. He let out a sigh of relief when he finally spotted them in a group of Gryffindors on the opposite side of the pen, and began to move towards them.
He only stopped when he ran into Draco Malfoy.
"What did you do?" he asked him stonily. Malfoy just glared back at him, smugly.
"What makes you think I did anything?" he retorted.
Harry decided not to waste his time, he knew Malfoy would never admit to doing anything wrong, so he stepped around the group of Slytherins, and again headed towards Ron and Hermione.
A shrill scream from inside the pen made everyone turn to see what had happened. A Slytherin girl that Harry didn't recognize was lying on the ground, clutching her side. He was horrified to see she was bleeding, which meant the horn's fluid must be inside her now. The Erumpent was about to have another go at her. Harry looked to see that Hagrid was too far away, and he didn't see Professor Gazten at all now, so without a second thought, he lifted himself over the fence, and began running towards her.
Harry could see there was no way he was going to make it to her in time; the Erumpent was already too close. Hagrid was even further away then he was, so Harry did the only thing he could think of. He reached into his robes, pulling out his wand. He didn't point it at the Erumpent, as he knew anything he threw at it would most likely bounce off, but instead pointed it at the girl.
Concentrating very hard, he lifted her off the ground in the second before the creature ripped its horn into the soft earth she had been laying on. He moved her through the air and gently placed her down on the grass a short way outside the pen. A few of the students nearby moved over to her immediately and Harry wondered how much time she had before the fluid would take affect. He still didn't see Gazten anywhere, so he turned to look for Hagrid.
The Erumpent was on him before he had a chance to think. It had seen that the girl was no longer in reach, and went for Harry instead. With its head lowered, it had charged at him, and Harry tried to move out of its path, but didn't have the time. He felt its snout hit him on his left hip, and the horn ripped though his robes, but didn't penetrate his skin. His back was slammed into the pen as the creature carried him on it's snout, it backed up to make another run and Harry felt the tip of the horn scraping his arm as it pulled out.
He hit the ground; all the air knocked out of him and tried frantically to scramble to his feet. The Erumpent had already begun running at him again, and he knew he wasn't going to get over in time. He put his foot up, not willing to just give up, and began climbing the fence, expecting to feel the blow at any second, but it never came. Ron and Hermione had rushed over to him and helped him the rest of the way over.
When he looked back into the pen he saw that Hagrid had grabbed it from behind. It was squirming, furiously, in his grip, but couldn't free itself. They watched as Hagrid put his hand in front of the animals face, sprinkling a powder onto its snout. Within seconds it was sleeping, soundly in his arms.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked him immediately, she was very pale and both her and Ron were obviously concerned.
"I'm fine," Harry said, trying still to catch his breath. "It just scratched me." He looked down at his arm through the tear in his robes to see the scrape was bleeding, heavier than he thought it would be.
"You need to see Madam Pomfrey," Ron said quietly, knowing Harry wanted nothing less than to go to the hospital wing.
"I will, I promise," he said, then continued quickly, "How's the girl?" He looked to where he had set her down to see a crowd of people surrounding her. Before either of his friends could protest that he should get checked now, he headed over to her. The three of them pushed their way through the crowd to find Gazten was kneeling over the girl.
She was propped up on her elbows with her long blonde hair hanging down behind her. The rip in her robes revealed her skin underneath, but there was no mark. The wound that had been bleeding freely just moments before was completely healed. She looked up when Harry stepped into view and her cheeks flushed.
"Thank you," she said quietly, looking into Harry's eyes. "You saved my life."
"Are you okay?" he asked, feeling stupid the second the words left his mouth. She was sitting up talking to him showing no pain whatsoever and her wound was healed. Of course she was okay, and Harry suspected that Gazten had something to do with it.
She nodded at him and smiled, before she began to stand. Harry instinctively reached a hand out to help her, and she took it.
"Thanks," she said again, when she was standing next to him. He noticed she had the brightest blue eyes he had ever seen.
"Don't go anywhere just yet Melanie," Gazten spoke up as she stood. "You either Harry." She looked at the tear in Harry's robes and the blood that was dripping down them. "Both of you are going to the hospital wing to make sure you're okay."
All of the students were whispering to each other, most were wondering how the large wound that Melanie had gotten just disappeared. Gazten seemed to be the only person not surprised about this, but she also didn't seem to be giving out the answers.
Just as they started to head up to the school, Hagrid came over, sounding winded.
"Are yeh's okay?" he asked looking back and forth between Harry and Melanie, anxiously. When he noticed the blood on Harry's robes he reached forward and grabbed his arm, Harry winced at the pain that shot through it.
"It's deep Allison," he said quietly looking at Gazten. She stepped over to get a better look at Harry's arm and he noticed for the first time that she looked a bit drained. She raised a hand and gently ran her fingers along the gash. Harry felt a slight tingling everywhere her skin touched his, then she pulled her hand away.
"He'll be okay, but they both need to get up to the hospital wing now," she said.
Hagrid nodded emphatically.
"Yes, yes, both eh yeh's get yerselves up there now," he said, his voice full of concern.
"Hagrid," Harry started.
"Later 'arry. It's important fer you teh get that cut looked at now."
Harry looked into Hagrid's eyes and realized that last statement was his final word on the matter. He nodded and began walking.
When the students reached the school, Gazten took Harry and Melanie aside to go with them to the hospital wing. Harry said goodbye to Ron and Hermione, as they had to get to their next class, and began the familiar walk. Here it was, the third day of school and he'd been in the hospital wing for one reason or another every day since his return.
The three of them walked through the double doors together. Gazten told them to wait there, while she explained to Madam Pomfrey what had happened. As soon as she had gone, Harry turned to Melanie.
"Are you okay? And I know you don't have a cut anymore, I mean are you feeling okay."
"I will be," she replied. "Honestly I'm still a little shaken up over it," she admitted. Harry stared at her, thinking how pretty her hair looked the way it cascaded over her shoulders with the slightest inclination of her head. He quickly shook the thought from his head when he realized she had asked him a question.
"Sorry?" he asked, hoping he hadn't seemed too out of it.
"I asked how you're doing. You're arm looks pretty bad."
"Oh, I'll be fine," he said, brushing it off. "Don't worry about it."
An amused smile touched her lips, and she gave a delicate nod before continuing.
"I just have to ask you, why did you do it?"
"Do what?" Harry asked, truly confused.
"Save me. You could have been killed."
"Well," Harry began, not sure why this question required an answer, "why wouldn't I? I didn't think about it before I did it, it just happened."
"But I'm in Slytherin," she replied. Harry looked at her, dumbstruck.
"Are you saying that should matter?" he asked.
"You tell me," she replied. "If it had been another student in that pen. Draco Malfoy, for instance, would you have done the same thing?"
"Yes," Harry answered without hesitation.
Melanie stared at him, as if sizing him up, for a few minutes, then she just shrugged.
"Okay."
Harry was at a loss for words. He couldn't think of anything to say to that response, so he just stayed quiet. Luckily Madam Pomfrey and Gazten were now on their way over to them.
"Let's have a look at that arm Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey said when she was next to him. Harry held out his arm and she pushed the tattered pieces of robe out of the way to have a look at the gash. She turned to Allison, who was holding a small jar, and dabbed her fingers into it. Then she rubbed it gently into Harry's arm, which immediately began burning. He bit down hard, not wanting to cry out in front of any of them, and luckily, the pain was very short-lived.
Harry watched as the redness and swelling went down immediately. Madam Pomfrey quickly bandaged the cut and then let go of his arm. She checked Melanie over and just like Professor Gazten, didn't seem the least surprised that there was no wound where one should have been. Both of them were given a potion, which they drank where they were standing, to fight any of the fluid that might still be in their systems.
"You were both very lucky today," Gazten said after Madam Pomfrey had taken the empty glasses and headed back to her office. "Do either of you know what happened?" She was looking at Harry pointedly.
As much as he would've loved to say Malfoy had done something he had no proof. He honestly didn't know what had caused the Erumpent to charge in the first place.
"Well, both of you get on to your classes then," Gazten said, dismissing them. "I will tell Professor Dumbledore what has happened, and if he needs to speak with either of you he will."
Harry left the hospital wing with Melanie, very grateful for such a short visit. They walked slowly through the halls, neither of them feeling the need to rush to their next class.
"I can't believe you didn't tell her," Melanie said at last, breaking the silence.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, again confused her.
"About what Draco did," she said.
Harry looked at her, incredulously.
"So he did do something then?"
"You didn't know? You were trying to get over to him for a while there; I just assumed you knew what he was doing," she said.
"Well, why didn't you say something back there?" Harry asked. Melanie stopped walking and he did too. She looked at him carefully for a moment before she spoke.
"What would that have gained me?" she asked finally.
"Gained you?"
"Think about it. If I told them Draco had caused the Erumpent to charge I would be getting him in trouble. That would make my entire house upset with me to say the least, and we would lose points!"
Harry's jaw dropped.
"That's why you didn't say anything?" he asked. She nodded at him.
"But.he almost got you killed! Every one of us out there was in danger because of him! Isn't that a good reason to say something?"
"Harry," she began. "I thank you for saving me, I'm very grateful. But I'm not going to turn on my house because of it."
"I wasn't asking you to for that!" he exclaimed. He stopped for a moment, seeing the expression on her face. She was not going to change her mind. "Can you at least tell me what he did?"
Melanie turned and gave him the sweetest smile before answering.
"Why would I do that?" she asked.
Harry smiled with her, before realizing what he was doing. He put his head down, feeling the blood rush to his face. When he raised his head, she was still looking at him and he realized how clear her eyes were. The only word to describe them was 'beautiful.'
When she finally broke their gaze to look down, he realized he'd been staring.
"Sorry," he mumbled. They began walking again, in silence. Harry wanted to find out about Draco, but he knew she wasn't going to give in. He felt he should be angry with her, but for some reason, he wasn't even upset.
When they finally reached the point where they had to separate to get to their classes, they both stopped. There was an awkward silence for a moment and Harry was the first to find his voice.
"It was nice to meet you Melanie," he said.
"Call me Mel, all my friends do," she replied. Harry smiled at her, not realizing she would think of him as a friend.
"Okay, well, hope to see you around sometime Mel."
"Cool. See you later Harry," she replied. Harry watched as she walked off down the hall. She had one of the most delicate frames he'd ever seen. When at last she was out of sight, he turned and headed toward his class.
Harry walked into the Transfiguration classroom, and took his seat next to Ron. McGonagall had been told what happened, and didn't ask where he had been. She glanced at the tear in his robes, concerned, but continued with the lesson.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked, leaning over Ron to whisper to Harry.
"I'm fine, all taken care of," he said, smiling, pulling the robes over to show them the bandages.
"What about the Erumpent fluid though? Did they give you anything for that?" she asked.
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey gave us some medicine."
"Would the three of you like to share your discussion with the rest of us?" McGonagall spoke up from behind them. She was giving them a pointed look, clearly displeased with their interruption. They looked at her sheepishly and apologized, their talk would have to wait.
When the lesson was over, the three of them left the classroom, and headed to the great hall for lunch.
"Do you remember everything from last year?" Ron asked as they walked.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Everything you learned, you know, from the knowledge. You were the first one to change those bunnies into birds today, and not that I don't think you could've done it anyway.but."
"Gee thanks," Harry replied sardonically, smirking at Ron. "I remember a lot of it, depends really."
"What do you mean? Depends on what?" Hermione asked, seeming interested.
"Well, last year I was taught what they thought would be most important to make the knowledge adjust faster. Some things that I use in every day classes, I remember better because it's repetitive. Other things I have to think about harder because there were spells and curses I'd probably never use anyway."
"Oh," Ron said, sounding uncertain.
"It's just like anything else you learn Ron," Harry tried again. "Some things stick, some things don't."
They reached the doors to the great hall and went in together. Harry couldn't help himself and immediately looked over to the Slytherin table. When he spotted Mel, he waved to her, and she smiled back.
"Um," Ron began, "good friends with her now, are you?"
Harry turned back to Ron, noticing the skeptical look on his face.
"What?" he asked; faintly annoyed. "I'm not allowed to wave at her?"
The three of them went to where Ginny was sitting, waiting for them.
"I didn't mean that," Ron began, but he didn't continue, which told Harry that most likely was what Ron had meant.
"Look, we talked a bit while we were waiting for Madam Pomfrey, she's pretty nice," Harry said. Ron's eyes widened as he stared at Harry.
"But.she's a Slytherin!" he finally got out.
"So?" Harry asked, defensively. Ron opened his mouth to respond, when Hermione cut him off.
"Really Ron, what's the matter with Harry being friends with her? We can't judge all the Slytherins on Draco Malfoy."
"Speak for yourself," Ron muttered, looking sulky. He didn't say anything else though, just busied himself with eating.
"What are we talking about?" Ginny spoke up finally. "And what happened to your arm?" She glanced at the three of them, looking entirely confused. Harry and Hermione explained the events of the Care of Magical Creatures class.
"So who did it then?" Ginny asked, looking completely amazed at what she had just been told.
"Malfoy," Harry answered, bitterly. "I just wish I knew what he did."
"Maybe we can ask your new friend," Ron said, glancing up from his plate.
"I did ask her," Harry began, then stopped. He liked Mel and seeing how Ron was reacting to Harry just waving at her, he wasn't going to repeat what she had told him. "She didn't know," he finished, looking down at his plate. He could feel Ron looking at him, but refused to meet his eyes.
"She probably does know," Ron said. "You know that don't you? She just said she didn't so her house wouldn't look bad."
Harry didn't respond. He couldn't say anything in Mel's defense because what Ron said was true, but he didn't confirm it for him either.
"I'm going to change," Harry said, standing up. He didn't feel like eating any more right now. "I don't want to walk around the rest of the day with blood on my robes. See you guys later."
Later that night when classes were over, Harry decided to write to Cho. He had promised her that he would tell her everything that happened, and since so much already had, he wanted to tell her as much as possible.
He grabbed some parchment and ink, and sat in one corner of the common room to work on it. When he was almost finished, Ron finally ventured over to see him. They hadn't spoken since lunch.
"What are you doing?" Ron asked, sitting down across from Harry.
"Writing a letter," he replied, not looking up at him.
"Who's it for?"
"Cho."
"Are you going to mention your new friend?" Ron asked, haughtily. Harry slowly raised his head, to meet Ron's gaze.
"Look," he began in a calm voice, "you don't have to like Mel, it's up to you. But I'm not going to sit around and listen to you say bad things about her. I don't care what house she's in." Harry started to stand and Ron jumped up with him, holding out a hand to stop him.
"Wait," he said quickly. "That's not what I came over here for, I'm sorry. I may not like it, but you can be friends with whoever you want, even if they are a Slytherin."
"I'm not a big Slytherin fan either, remember?" Harry asked. "But I won't judge every student in that house because the sorting hat put them there. I think if you met her, you might like her too."
Ron laughed, and rolled his eyes.
"Well, I'll believe that if it happens." Harry threw him a warning look and he quickly continued. "I'm sure you're right.okay? I was being an idiot."
"Hey, I'm used to that from you," Harry replied smiling cheerfully. Ron looked at him, seeming very insulted. But he couldn't keep the smile off his face. He picked up a pillow from the chair behind him and threw it at Harry, who easily ducked it. He quickly set down the ink and parchment so he could pluck another pillow from the chair nearest him.
The two of them had a mini pillow fight in the corner, laughing and shouting and drawing much attention from all the students around the room. They only stopped when they heard a voice nearby call to them.
"Will you two please at least try to act like seventh-years?"
"Aw c'mon Hermione," Ron said from the floor. He and Harry had both just dove down for more ammunition when she had come over. She gave them disapproving looks, showing she didn't find this amusing.
"I think Hermione doesn't know what she's missing," Harry said glancing at Ron with a sly grin on his face.
"I think you're right," Ron said, smiling wickedly. "What d'ya say we show her?"
Hermione took a few tentative steps back as Ron and Harry stood up, their arms now loaded with pillows. She turned and took off, and they ran after her. The two of them together were able to cut her off at every turn, so she was unable to get to the door that led to the girls' dorms. But after a few pillows had hit her, she decided to fight back. She caught the next pillow that came soaring towards her head, and flung it straight at Ron's face.
"Oof!" was the muffled sound that came from behind the pillow before it fell to the floor. He bent down quickly to pick it up, and flung it full force back at her. She ducked just in time and it went careening over her head, and straight into Harry's face, knocking his glasses off.
"Sorry Harry!" Ron cringed when he saw the glasses hit the floor. Harry just laughed at him.
"Yeah, sure you are. It's okay anyway, see? They're fine." He held up the glasses to show they were intact, before slipping them back on. He looked around the room to see every person had stopped what they were doing to follow the progress of the fight.
"Sorry," he said, holding up his hands. "Didn't mean to disturb you all."
He walked back over to the corner of the room where his letter to Cho was sitting on the table, Ron and Hermione following him. Ron had a huge smile on his face, which was very red from all the running around. Hermione was busy trying to get her hair smoothed out again.
"You guys want to take a walk to the owlery?" he asked. "I want to send this out tonight."
"Sure, as long as you don't bring any pillows with you," Hermione replied. Harry and Ron laughed at her.
"Promise," he said.
"So," Hermione said as they walked, "what are you telling Cho?"
"Pretty much everything," Harry answered.
"Everything?" Ron asked, wide-eyed. Harry stifled the laugh that wanted to come out after seeing Ron's expression.
"Well, not every single little detail but mostly everything, yes."
"Do you think that's wise, Harry?" Hermione asked. "If that letter didn't reach her."
"I didn't say very much about Lunis," Harry said, seeing where she was going with her question. I told her what happened at the feast, and that I lived because of Lunis, but that's all. I didn't tell her how to get around it."
"Do you think you should even mention Lunis?" Ron asked.
"Well, Voldemort knows about it already, so if this were somehow intercepted by one of his followers, it wouldn't be saying anything he doesn't already know," Harry explained. Hermione and Ron still appeared as though they thought this wasn't a good idea, but they didn't voice their concerns any further.
When the reached the owlery, Harry led the way over to Hedwig. It was a beautiful warm summer night, and the breeze was ruffling his messy hair.
"Hey girl," he said softly as she looked up from her perch. He reached out and stroked the soft skin under her wings, and she sat there, letting him rub her, showing complete trust. After a moment he pulled his hand away.
"I need you to deliver this for me," he said, holding up the letter before tying it to her leg. She gave his fingers and affectionate nip, before jumping effortlessly off her perch and taking flight. The three of them stood and watched until Hedwig was out of sight.
"Well," Harry said turning toward his friends, "as much as I'd love to stay up here, I'm sure we're probably not even supposed to be out this late."
"You're right," Hermione said. "We're not allowed."
Harry and Ron both looked at her blankly.
"Don't you remember? Dumbledore announced the curfew at the feast on the first night."
"I don't remember much about the first night," Harry said quickly, "I didn't hear anything he said."
"Well trust me he said it," she replied as they headed off down the stairs. They all moved silently through the halls, as quickly as possible, on their way back to the common room.
As they reached the portrait of the fat lady, Ron called out the password and the three of them stepped inside. When the portrait shut behind them Hermione turned to face Harry.
"Harry, the first night back, at the feast, you didn't feel well, did you?" she asked.
Harry gave her a quizzical look before responding.
"Well, it's not that I was sick, really. It was a strange feeling though. That's why I didn't hear much of Dumbledore's speech or the sorting."
"Right, that's what made me think of it, when you said that in the owlery. You didn't hear it because you were getting that weird feeling. Was it like the one from earlier today? In the Erumpent pen?"
Harry glanced around the room. Not many people were still up, but he didn't want anyone to overhear, so he pulled them back over to the same corner that they were in earlier.
"Yes, it was."
"Do you have any idea what caused it?" Ron asked, then continued quickly, "Was it Lunis?"
Harry shook his head.
"No, it couldn't be Lunis. Dumbledore said I could only use that once, and that it would be something I could control. I can't control these feelings and its happened twice now."
"Maybe it's some kind of side effect, from the visions." Hermione said, pressing the tips of her fingers together. She looked very deep in thought.
"I don't think it's that either," Harry said. "Dumbledore seemed to know all about the visions, he never mentioned that this would happen."
"Tell me what happens, when you get this feeling," Hermione said, looking at Harry.
"Well, both times I felt so cold, my hands would shake from it. I would just get a bad feeling really, like intuition or something. The first time I knew that there was something wrong with Gridman, and the next time I knew Malfoy was up to something. I didn't know anything specific in either situation, otherwise I probably could've prevented them, or something."
"Hmmm." Hermione mumbled. She leaned back in her chair with her knees up, thinking about what Harry had just told her. Harry looked over to Ron, who looked just as confused as he, himself felt.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Harry's hands began to shake, and he felt very cold.
"It's happening!" he whispered quickly. Both Ron and Hermione looked at him fearfully.
"Right now? Here?" Ron asked. Harry only nodded. He looked around, not really sure why, but he felt that there was someone in the room with him, that wasn't a student.
"What's the feeling this time?" Hermione asked, glancing around nervously.
"Someone's here," he said, standing up. The three of them looked around, but besides a few Gryffindor students, no one was in the room.
"Well, do you mean here in our tower, or here in the school?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know," Harry said, sounding frustrated. "I think it's." he trailed off. Ron and Hermione looked at him, waiting. After a moment, Harry looked up at them.
"Do you guys hear that?"
"Hear what?" Ron asked, still surveying the room, looking for anything out of the ordinary.
"Hold on," Harry said. He was trying to block out everything he was hearing except this new sound. It seemed as if someone were trying to talk to him, but their voice was muffled. He couldn't make out anything being said.
"There's definitely someone here," he said finally. "I can hear them trying to talk to me, but I can't make it out."
"Well than how do you know they're trying to talk to you?" Hermione asked.
"I just feel it, besides, you can't hear it, can you?"
"Are you sure it's not a snake, or someone speaking Parseltongue?" Ron asked anxiously.
"No, it isn't. That I'd be able to understand," Harry replied, he looked around then headed for the stairs. Ron and Hermione exchanged glances, before following him.
"Where are we going?" Ron asked.
"I want to check the Marauder's Map," Harry replied, not stopping. When he reached the door to his dorm, he flung it open and went straight to his trunk.
"What's going on?" Neville asked from his bed. Harry, Ron and Hermione stopped dead in their tracks, and stared at Neville. They'd forgotten that most everyone was in bed. "And what's she doing in here?" he asked, sounding more confused.
"Um, nothing. Sorry Neville," Hermione said quietly, she backed out of the room, blushing.
"What are you up to now?" Neville asked suspiciously. He was watching Harry going through his trunk.
"I just need something that I left up here, that's all. For homework." Harry found the map and quickly shoved it in his pocket, then closed his trunk. He turned with Ron and they headed for the door.
"Isn't it a bit late to be doing homework?" Neville called from behind them.
Harry just looked at him and shrugged.
"I need to get it done, don't I?" he smiled cheerfully, trying to make it seem that everything was fine. Neville was still eyeing him suspiciously, but didn't say anything else. They closed the door quietly, so as not to wake anyone else, and headed back down to the common room.
Hermione was waiting for them downstairs.
"I can't believe I did that," she said quietly, holding her head in her hands. Harry and Ron both smiled at her.
"Don't worry about it," Ron began. "It was only Neville, I'm sure he'll probably forget all about it."
"I hope you're right," she said, then turned to Harry. "Do you still hear.whatever you were hearing before?" she asked. He nodded, then took another look around the room. It appeared as though the few people that were left were about to head upstairs. They sat down in the same corner as before, until they were the only ones left in the room.
Harry pulled the map out of his pocket when they heard the last door close above them. He held his wand out with a shaking hand.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good."
The map sprung to life, revealing all of Hogwart's and the three of them crowded around it.
"There's no one up here," Ron said after looking at all the names in the Gryffindor tower area, "no one that isn't supposed to be, anyway."
"There is though," Harry said. He sighed in frustration.
"Why don't you try to ask it again?" Hermione suggested, looking up at Harry.
"My thoughts exactly," he replied. He held the map up in front of him. "Is there someone in the castle we can't see on here?" They watched anxiously, waiting for something to happen. Then slowly, the layout of Hogwart's began to swirl away, being sucked into the parchment. When it was completely gone, there were words at the top of the page.
"Who wants to know?"
"Not again," Harry mumbled quietly, then raised his voice. "Harry Potter."
"Well hello Harry Potter! Nice to hear from you again."
"Am I talking to Padfoot?" Harry asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes indeed."
Harry shook his head, why couldn't anything be easy?
"Will you answer my question now?" he asked.
"No."
Harry stared at the response in disbelief.
"Why not?" he asked, trying not to sound angry.
"Why not what?" came the response.
"Why won't you answer my question?" he replied in a strained voice.
"Are you blind? I did answer it."
"Are you stupid?" Ron yelled, startling Harry, "you just told us you wouldn't answer it."
"Who's that? The one that called me stupid." Padfoot asked.
Ron looked at Harry apologetically, and Harry just shook his head.
"Don't worry about it," he said to Ron. "Just tell him your name, will you?"
"Ron Weasley," Ron said out loud.
"Well Ron Weasley," Padfoot replied. "I'm not stupid. You're the ones that didn't see my answer, there's nothing I can do about that."
"But.you didn't give an answer!" Harry sputtered. "I asked you if you would and you said no!"
"He was answering your first question," Hermione piped up, suddenly. Harry and Ron both turned to her quickly. "When he said no, he was telling you there's no one else here."
Harry could feel his face turning red, and saw Ron's was as well; he sheepishly turned back to the map to see a new question.
"Who's the intelligent one?"
"Hermione Granger," Hermione said immediately.
"Well done, Hermione Granger. Good thing these two idiots have someone with brains to help them out."
Hermione just beamed at the map, looking quite proud of herself.
"Oh come off it," Ron said, looking at her. "It's just a map."
Hermione glared at Ron, but didn't say anything and Harry just rolled his eyes at them. He pulled his wand out again, and pointed it at the map.
"Thanks for your help, Padfoot," he said, grudgingly.
There was no response.
"Oh well, guess he's gone," Harry shrugged. "Misch." he began to say the words to turn the map off, but stopped suddenly. The map was spelling out two words over and over and over, and it caused Harry's blood to run cold.
"That can't be right," Hermione whispered weakly, staring in horror at the map. "It's impossible."
"I hope you're right," Harry replied, still unable to tear his eyes away from the words in front of him. 'Peter's Here,' was being scrawled, by an invisible hand it seemed, slowly filling the page.
"Maybe it's a different Peter," Ron said quickly, "it doesn't say here that it's Wormtail."
Harry looked at his friend to see Ron didn't even believe his own suggestion. But he didn't see how Wormtail could be there. He was dead, and the Zlam had his body. There was no reason he could think of that they would ever bring it to Hogwart's, especially after what Tytros told him a few days ago, about Forden not wanting anything to do with them ever again.
"Padfoot, are you doing that?" Harry asked out loud. There was again, no response from the map; only the same words appearing over and over.
"Mischief managed," Harry said, with his wand aimed at the map. Nothing happened. The words continued to appear.
"Padfoot stop!" Harry screamed. Hermione put a hand on his arm and when he looked at her, she was shaking her head and pointing above her.
"You'll wake everyone," she said quietly. "Now let's try to remain calm and figure this out."
"I'm sorry," Harry said, "You're right." He felt silly for shouting, but he had no idea what to do. He couldn't shut the map off, and he couldn't get any response from it.
"I think it's time to see Dumbledore," Ron said finally. "If Wormtail's here we need to tell him."
"Let's go," Hermione said immediately, she began walking towards the portrait hole, and Ron moved to follow.
"C'mon Harry," he said, beckoning him to follow. But Harry didn't move. His hands were shaking violently now and his teeth were chattering.
"What's happening?" Hermione asked looking at Ron, who just shrugged back at her. Neither of them had any idea how to help Harry.
"C-c-cold," Harry managed to get out. His knees buckled and he hit the floor, still clutching the map. Ron and Hermione rushed over to him. Hermione began rubbing his arms, in an effort to keep him warm.
"Maybe we should take him to the hospital wing?" Ron suggested from next to Hermione. She nodded anxiously, and the two of them began to help Harry back onto his feet. They moved towards the portrait hole together when Harry gasped. He stopped dead in his tracks.
"What?" Hermione asked fearfully. Harry just raised a shaky hand and pointed in front of them. There, a few feet away, stood Wormtail.