Disclaimer: I do not own anything of this story. Harry Potter and all of the notable characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
Magnolia Crescent
Chapter Thirty-Five
Windigos
Ron watched as everyone filed out, chatting away happily. Harry had just turned the corner when Leo stepped out into the doorway, slamming his hand not too far away from Ron.
"Look, we are all friends again, what is your deal?" Ron said, glaring at him.
"I am sorry; the back of my head still hurts a bit. But we are not friends. I am Harry's friend and he is a damn better one than you deserve, considering how much you have shit on him. But I think that is his choice. Pull this crap again and they will need to stitch you back together. Clear?" Leo asked, glaring right back at Ron.
"Clear," Ron said, swallowing.
"Good, let's get going. Don't want to be left behind," he said, snapping into a smile before he turned around. Ron tightened his fist for a second before releasing them. He stood there for a second longer, his shoulders slumping.
"Ron, let's go!" Harry shouted. Ron took a deep breath before following them out on the street.
"So, the next I know, poor Leo is on his back and Harry is doubled over laughing," Neville said, as the group laughed at his joke.
"Next time, how about I defend myself and we go a few rounds," Leo said but the smile betrayed his words.
"I could start the count now, or how about after you get landed on your back," Luna asked as everyone kept laughing.
"So glad to see everyone is getting along," a familiar voice said. The laughter died when they saw a very cross Professor McGonagall.
"I got a feeling, getting involved is going to hurt our standings again," Neville said in a low voice.
"Seems so," Harry whispered back.
"Hush, the lot of you. I am severely disappointed – brawling in the hall like a bunch of hooligans. The lot of you!" she cried out, causing everyone nearby to wince at her words.
"Professor," Ron said. Her cold gaze switched over to him. "It was my fault, I started the fight. Harry, Hermione and Luna were just trying to break it up. They were just doing the right thing," he said.
"I understand, but this is not something you cannot just own up to now. I have been required to put all of you in detention. Except for Miss Weasley and Mr. Longbottom, of course. Thankfully, you two were not involved. However, for the rest of you."
"I understand," Harry said, nodding his head.
"The three of you shall be staying with me after dinner for the next five weeks. Miss Lovegood and Mr. Holmes will be serving detention with their respective Heads of House. You are to start reporting Monday, are we clear?" she explained. They all nodded, expecting McGonagall to take her leave. But she continued to stand there. They didn't say anything as their good mood had just been destroyed.
"I got Professor Snape," Leo said with a gulp. Everyone looked at him as he took a deep breath.
"Good luck," Harry said, glancing up at McGonagall. "We'll be there."
"Detention," Hermione said, her eyes appearing to be frozen open. "Please tell me we are not going into the Forbidden Forest again," she said, finally looking at everyone else.
"Heavens, no. Dear child, where would you get such an idea?" McGonagall asked.
"The last time I had detention, I served it with Hagrid," Hermione explained.
"We really do need to get these things standardized," the professor said with a sigh. "Nothing life threatening, Miss Granger. But I do hope I won't have to hear about any more trouble between any of you," she said, scanning the group.
"I don't think fighting will be a problem, but I can't make any promises," Harry said with a weak smile. A sigh escaped McGonagall's lips.
"I guess that's all I can hope for. Well, head back to the school. Dinner should be very soon," she said, mumbling under her breath. She seemed to age a bit after the conversation was over.
Monday detention came and Hermione, Ron and Harry grudgingly walked into McGonagall's office. She looked at them with the level of professionalism expected of her.
"Please, sit near the front," she instructed as she finished writing something on a piece of parchment. They all did as told, afraid of doing anything wrong. After another moment, McGonagall slammed a massive book down in front of Ron.
"What is all this?" he asked in surprise.
"That would be a history on Charms, Mr. Weasley. No spells, just history. I will be quizzing you on it at the end of each day. It also has a nice spell so the page will change every two and a half minutes. So, I do hope you read fast as it will be graded," she said, trying hard to hide a small smirk. Ron looked up at her in horror. "I suggest you get started."
He flipped open the book – his Charms grades weren't all that good to begin with. "As for you, Miss Granger, I would like you to just sit there and do nothing," McGonagall said. Hermione's look of horror nearly mirrored that of Ron. McGonagall turned to Harry with a calm gaze. "Get up Mr. Potter and prepare to defend yourself."
Harry had barely enough time to whip out his wand and utter a Shield Charm. "This is not what I had in mind for detention," Harry said as McGonagall towered over him.
"Potter, stand straight and keep your posture loose. As important as each challenge is, Potter, you only need to survive. Am I clear, Mr. Potter? No unnecessary risks!" she shouted, easily knocking him to the floor. Hermione and Ron both glanced at him with wide eyes. Harry was the best duelist in their group and he had just been dropped like a fly.
Harry lifted a chair up with his wand just in time to see it splinter into pieces. He flinched back, stumbling past a table as it flipped into the air.
"Mr. Potter, I would not recommend showing a dragon your backside," she said, flicking her wand. Harry felt a burn hit his rear. "You're like to get it fried."
Harry pushed one of the desks up for cover while he regained his wits and composure. "Well, are we just going to sit there or are you going to do something productive?" she asked. Harry slowly looked up. "Honestly, Mr. Potter, it's a wonder you are still in one piece. Don't you plan anything out when dealing with your foes?" she asked, pointing her wand down at him.
"Sorry, Professor," Harry said as her spell shattered his shield spell.
"Potter, stop being such a door mat and fight back when you are getting shot at!" McGonagall cried out in exasperation. "Don't think that means I want to see you back next week for starting a fight!" she said, looking at him with a critical eye.
"Stupify!" he cried out, sending a spell at her.
"Much better," she said with a calm voice. She flicked her wand and his own spell came back at him. "But not near good enough if you want to face the other Champions."
Harry spun onto his back as pain shot into his body. "Give me a basilisk any day," he groaned, rolling on his hands and knees.
"We're only five minutes in, Mr. Potter. There's still fifty-five more minutes to go," she said as Harry looked up at her. "Mr. Weasley, I think you have more important things to be looking at," she said, smiling as the sound of papers shifted in the air.
"Ouch," Harry groaned, pushing on the door an hour later. Ron walked past him and pushed the door open before Harry stumbled through.
"Have a good night and do try to be on time. No unnecessary risks, am I clear, Mr. Potter?" McGonagall said with a straight face. "You are forced to play but not to win," she reminded.
"Yes, Professor," he groaned out.
"She did a number on you," Ron said. Harry just glanced up at him.
"Your understanding of the obvious is second to none, Ron," he snapped, his patience clearly gone. Ron only grinned.
"Well, at least she is trying to prepare you and is pointing out some obvious facts. No matter how good you are, Harry, extra practice is always needed. Be thankful for it," Hermione said. Harry glared at her.
"You traitor," he growled.
"Sorry, you probably don't want to hear that right now," she admitted. He raised an eyebrow at her. "Or ever, fine," she admitted. "I wish she wasn't so hard on you. That is going to sting in the morning. I could always practice some healing and pail alleviation spells," she offered.
"That would work," Harry said, already looking forward to it. "Sadly, I wish we had more time. The first task is right around the corner and I still don't have much of an idea on what to do," Harry admitted.
"Speaking of which, Hagrid wants to talk with you. Did you ever go see when I said so the last time?" Ron said. Harry blinked, unsure of when that had been. "It was shortly after the fight."
"Oh, that," Harry said sheepishly, scratching at the back of his head. He had honestly forgotten about that with everything that had gone on that day.
"You should probably head down there and see him. He said to make sure you bring your cloak, so it's probably going to be a late night thing," Ron said. "It's about the first task," he said in a low voice.
"I kind of figured," Harry whispered back. "Thanks," he said with a smile. But Ron just gave him a weak smirk before looking away.
"When do I need to go see him?" Harry asked.
"Well, tonight would be a good idea," Ron said, glancing down. Harry stopped and frowned. "Well, you see, I was hoping to use it to cheer you up after detention," he said. Harry pinched the bridge of nose as the two boys headed to their dormitory. He grabbed his cloak and looked at his bed in longing.
"I need a vacation," he grumbled. Ron clapped him on the shoulder before sitting on his bed. Harry threw the cloak over himself and headed back down the very long flight of stairs. He met Hagrid at his cottage and gave him a very tired look.
"'Arry, you look dead on yer feet. What have you gotten into this time?" he asked.
"Detention was a lot easier with you," Harry said. "Let's just say Professor McGonagall felt I needed some dueling lessons. You look different as well. Is that cologne?" Harry asked.
"Aye, and I combed my hair. Maybe you should try it now and again," he said in a gruff tone. Harry rolled his eyes, not nearly awake enough to question the odd behavior.
"Maybe, so I take it this has to do with the first task?" Harry asked. Hagrid stayed quiet for a few seconds.
"Aye, when word got to me about dragons, it was a kind idea for them to let me in on it. Thanks to Norbert," he said, pausing when he seemed to get a bit teary-eyed. "So, they told where they were keeping them, thanks to Ron and Mrs. Weasley."
"Which led to showing me?" Harry asked.
"That and one other. Make sure you keep yer cloak on," Hagrid warned.
Harry walked away, thinking back on the dragons. He kept his eye on the castle, taking a deep breath under his cloak when he suddenly tackled.
"I got you!" a voice shouted while he fell on his back. His hand went for his wand but he glanced up to see Luna sitting on him with a bigger grin than normal.
Harry tossed the cloak aside and her smile vanished. "Oh," she said in clear disappointment. "I was hoping you were a Windigo," she said. Harry just gave her an owlish look.
"What are doing here? The Forbidden forest is forbidden and dangerous," Harry said, looking up at her.
"Only to first years," she said, pausing for a second. "It's dangerous here?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.
"Well, it's way past curfew. You shouldn't be out here searching for anything," he said.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Hagrid needed help with something," Harry said quickly, having practiced his lie.
"Always good to have a cover story," Sirius had said over his vacation.
"You were cheating, weren't you?" she asked with a smile.
"Yes," he admitted, dropping his head back down.
"I won't tell anyone," she said, placing a finger on her lips.
"Harry?" a voice called. Harry turned to see a centaur standing over them.
"Firenze?" he asked, looking up at the half man, half horse."
"I knew that some young couple mated in the Forbidden forest, but I would think you would know better. The Shrieking Shack, with its former occupant, would be much safer," he said. Harry looked at Luna and then down to realize that she was sitting on his waist and that a good portion of their lower halves were covered by the cloak. His face went red.
"No, we weren't. I swear," Harry said, his ears burning.
"Nothing to be ashamed of, Mr. Potter, but I would advise on taking it someplace else," he replied with a shrug as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Luna, say something," he stammered out, looking at her.
"Do you have a condom?" she asked with a straight face. Harry feel back, giving up on the endeavor to save them.
"I have to admit that your human culture is so odd. But I would recommend heading out – this is not a safe place to be," he reminded, shifting his head as if listening to something while his silver blonde hair fell to one side.
"Something wrong?" Harry asked.
"No, but as of late, I have heard a strange rhythm from the lake. Nothing worrisome, but it is so odd," he admitted. "Probably just some student. Well, I shall leave you with this fair maiden and be off, but do try to be careful, Mr. Potter, as well as in the Tournament."
"Thank you," Harry said, inclining his head. The centaur did the same before trotting of as quickly as he came. He watched him vanish before looking up at Luna. "You can get off," he said, raising an eyebrow at her.
"Ah, but I was just getting comfortable," she said, biting her lip. Harry felt his face flush again. But she got up, clearly unruffled by the series of events.
"Well, I need to be back up to the school. Care to join me?" Harry asked,
"I don't think I'll find that Windigo," she admitted. "I think all the noise you made scared it off," she admitted.
"Or because you tackled me?" Harry asked.
"Possible, but highly unlikely. You were talking very loud," she said with a nod of her head.
"There is just no winning with you," Harry surmised.
"Nope, but you do find it amusing all the same," she said. Harry felt his feet stop. She paused and glanced back at him. "Are you coming?" she asked.
"Yeah, let's get moving. Do you have a way into the school?" he asked.
"The front door," she said without hesitation.
"Without being caught?" he asked. "Look, we can use my invisibility cloak."
"Harry!" she said with a frown while she felt his brow. "What a nice idea, and very thoughtful," she said with a smile.
"Hey, you're stepping on my feet," Harry said, nearly tripping.
"Sorry. Ouch, watch the hair," she said. Harry readjusted his grip on the cloak while they made it back to the castle.
"Sorry, this is so weird. We never did this before with someone not used to it," Harry admitted.
"Huh?" Luna asked, glancing back at him.
"Well, Hermione, Ron and I used this to get around when we were younger. Guess we got used to stumbling around."
"Ah, maybe we could practice. This is so cool. Have you ever gone into another House's dorm?" she asked.
"Well, um, maybe," he all but admitted.
"Cool, this was so much fun. I see why Hermione likes hanging out with you," she said. "I would say this would make you a bad boy for all the right reasons. But be careful, Harry, that could ruin your reputation."
Sorry that this chapter took so long. We've both been very busy lately. Please forgive us?
Anyways, R&R to let us know what you thought!
~LE