An Existing Loophole – Chapter 9 (A Trip)
The Gryffindor Tower was in silence as Minerva McGonagall had been summoned by one of her students.
She had even tried to ask Mr. Thomas on what the matter was. The only thing she got was, it's urgent. So, the Transfiguration Professor did not know what to expect when she took the stairs to the boy's fourth-year dormitories.
But the last thing she expected was to see Mr. Potter, broken down on the floor and a destroyed trunk and possessions not far.
Her nose flared; eyes narrowed at the other two Gryffindors in the room.
"What is the meaning of this!?"
"We didn't do it!" was the begging that greeted her.
"One at a time and in a civilized manner, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Longbottom," she ordered.
She watched as the pair of them took a deep breath and glancing at the other.
"I was just coming back from Herbology, and Neville had stayed behind a bit since he had a question for Professor Sprout. I had then asked Neville if he wanted to go back to the dorm since I had forgotten my book for my next class. We had a free period anyways, so figured we could pass time too. I didn't even know that Potter was here," Dean started, giving a glance towards Harry.
Harry was either ignoring them or wasn't even aware of them as McGonagall listened.
"Then we saw the trunk..."
"Then Dean went to get you," Neville finished.
"And it did not occur to either of you to speak to Mr. Potter and see that he was alright?" Minerva asked.
The two guilty looks told her all she needed to know.
"And since when does Gryffindor not have each other's backs?" She asked them.
There was only silence that greeted her.
"So, it never dawned on you that your fellow classmate may have been telling the truth. And yet the pair of you saw him as a liar," her lips thinned.
"But he entered in the tournament," Dean protested.
"Good to see how well you know me then," Harry said, his voice tired as he got up. His eyes were avoiding to look back towards his destroyed possessions. "How do I even know that you didn't help. Decide to destroy something else of mine since you both were so jealous of me!? And it doesn't matter if you knew I was going to be here. You knew that I would see it eventually. Guess I can just add that to the list of the people that want to see me die in this bloody tournament!" Harry snapped.
Harry then turned on his heeled and practically ran out of Gryffindor Tower. He knew if people looked close enough, they could see the tear streaks on his face.
He had thought... thought that Dean and Neville would have done or said something. He didn't know if they were behind it... Might as well have... They were as guilty as the rest of Gryffindor. He found that he wanted nothing to do with them.
The place he had thought of as home... was all a lie. All betrayed by the people he thought he could trust.
And once he was out of the Tower, he collapsed a few feet away. He winced; he was still sore. Well... sore wasn't the half of it. Collapsing like that was almost agony. It was only a few minutes before he had company again.
"Mr. Potter, are you alright?"
Harry glanced up to see Professor McGonagall, she looked... concerned...
He shrugged.
"Mr. Potter, I am deeply sorry that this happened, and I do intend to find out who in Gryffindor did this—"
"It won't matter..."
Minerva's eyes widened slight in surprise, "excuse me?"
"It won't matter. Give them detention or take points. None of it will matter. They still see me as a cheat and liar. A fraud of Gryffindor..." Harry muttered.
"You are still a Gryffindor."
"Am I? Because my house apparently doesn't think so?" Harry questioned.
"Then the rest of Gryffindor shouldn't be worthy of being Gryffindor and it will more than just detention or points," she scoffed. "You are still one of my students and I won't tolerate this, especially from my own house."
"If it's who I think it is… you'll probably hear them bragging about it…" Harry said softly.
Minerva frowned, "you have a suspicion on who it is."
Harry shrugged, "I am pretty sure everyone in Gryffindor would know. The two of them probably have a good idea who it was too. I don't know what to do about my stuff now…"
Professor McGonagall stowed that information for later, she had some Gryffindors to speak to later then. But first, her priority was her student.
"Can you stand?" She asked.
Harry slowly nodded, using the wall to stand. His legs had still felt shaky from the events of that morning and from what he just witnessed.
"Am I going to be in trouble for not going to class?"
"I think I can allow a pass just for once, though I believe a trip to Diagon Alley will be required," she gave him a small, rare smile.
"Diagon, for what?!" Harry was confused.
"As Head of House of Gryffindor, you are still one of my students and responsibility. Need I go on?" She raised an eyebrow at him.
"You're not serious!" Harry's eyes were wide.
Minerva's smile slightly faltered at that, "I am definitely not joking about this matter, especially after what I saw today. The House of Gryffindor will be dealing with serious repercussions, that is unavoidable."
"But… Diagon? I have money to get my stuff again—" Harry voice died at that. There was no way to replace that photo album. The pictures… they were unreplaceable. The books, parchment, and trunk could be rebought.
"Mr. Potter, you will not be paying anything for your stuff! Now, if you will follow me, we can apparate to Diagon. I assume you haven't side apparated yet," Minerva's tone was firm.
"Uhh… can we Floo instead. I don't like the sensation of apparition very well…" Harry mumbled. He hated the feeling of using the Floo as well but if he had conceived, he didn't think the travel of apparition would be the best.
She raised an eyebrow, "then, you can follow me back to my office."
Using the Floo Network Connection wasn't Harry's top favorite way of getting somewhere. But it was at least better than Side-Apparition. Even better, he didn't fall out of the fireplace at the Leaky Cauldron.
Though it was weird to follow after his Head of House as she asked for each book that he needed. He didn't even need to tell her the names of the books. But he figured since she was the one that signed off the letters for each year, she probably already knew them by heart. Perhaps they had a quill that automatically signed her signature for every letter.
Harry was at least thankful that Madam Malkin didn't ask any questions when he had to get more robes and cloaks.
Though he had tried to protest when she had used the Hogwarts fund for his stuff. But it had fallen on deaf ears and Harry wound up giving up on arguing. Though before long, he had a new trunk, books, clothes, Potions set, quills, parchment, and ink wells. He had even asked Professor McGonagall if his trunk could have a bit extra protection.
Given on how it had been destroyed, he didn't want it happening again. Or least make it harder to destroy if Gryffindor House tried again. Not that he would allow them to have a second chance.
But she had also replaced his Nimbus 2001, he wasn't expecting that. Sure, he figured that Professor McGonagall was going to replace his books and stuff. He needed those everyday at Hogwarts. Even though there was no way the book Hagrid had given could be replaced. He didn't even know how he gotten all those pictures.
The trip overall had to have taken over two hours or so before they were back in her office.
Harry fiddled with his hands; he still wasn't sure on why his professor had done all of that.
"Professor, why didn't we stop at Gringotts. I could have paid for it…"
"Mr. Potter, that is why we have a Hogwarts fund. Now, usually it is used for students that don't have the funds to buy the stuff that they need. But because of the situation, it is not your responsibility to rebuy your own stuff that you already did at the beginning of the year. Which, I fully intend on making sure the culprits pay back every single Knut back," Minerva replied.
"Even my broom? It's not like that is a requirement to have," Harry scrunched his eyebrows together.
She nodded, "it may not be required for your everyday classes. But it was still destroyed by Gryffindor. Therefore, you still have the right to have it. Even if it is not the exact same broom that you had."
"Can—Can I keep my trunk in your office?" Harry's voice grew small.
She gave him a small smile, "I do not see any issue with that."
Harry breathed out a sigh of relief.
"Though, Mr. Potter, it cannot be a permanent thing. But I can allow it until the moment I find out who was behind this. But you will eventually have to go back to Gryffindor Tower," she reminded.
Harry nodded, "they don't have like a private room if something like this happens?"
Minerva shook her head, "I'm afraid not. The only private rooms are for professors and the Headboy and Headgirl. I'm afraid my hands are tied there. But it is probably nearing dinner so I would suggest you go to the Great Hall to eat."
Harry nodded, leaving his trunk with his professor before leaving. He wasn't going to go to the Great Hall. He never ate his meals there anyways. Not to mention, he didn't want to face Graham either. He didn't even want to face Theo or Blaise either. But he knew they would eventually seek him out, if they weren't already doing so.
Harry took Professor McGonagall words to a point.
He did get something to eat because now his stomach was growling at him. But he still didn't eat it in the Great Hall. He was still waiting for his professor to bring it up... eventually.
But like breakfast, he found himself eating more off his plate than usual. Passing it that he was getting used to the heavy foods after being at the Dursleys all summer. Slowly getting his appetite back.
He gave a quick wave to Dobby before pulling his cloak over him, vanishing from sight. Though he didn't go back to Gryffindor Tower. He wasn't sure if he would ever be able to.
Instead, he made a detour to the Owlery. He needed to make sure that they didn't hurt her...
The stone steps up the tower were narrow and winding, a chill rolling down them. Harry pulled his hands into new warm sweater's sleeves; it was the fanciest clothing he had owned. McGonagall hadn't let him go into the secondhand shops, only getting him nice clothes. She hadn't even let him make an argument that new clothes weren't even on the list of supplies. Though she had commented a few times that the stuff he had hesitantly picked out reminded her of both James and Lily's styles. He was a little worried about the Dursleys, and their reaction to him owning new clothes. But he pushed that out of his mind for now as he tightened his robe around him. He felt himself smile as he got to the top and heard the many owls up there hooting softly, wings fluttering as some flew in or out, others preening themselves. He looked over to the left where Hedwig's favorite perch and nest was, and gasped.
Hedwig usually made her perch near one of the ends and what he saw made tears gather in his eyes.
There were several feathers there along with drops of blood.
Harry felt himself sliding to the floor, his eyes felt blurry. She had been his first friend... His first gift... He couldn't understand why someone would do this to him?!
He could feel himself spiraling, head spinning and short gasps coming out. He thought he was going to scream when suddenly a loud screech startled him, looking up he saw the most brilliant sight ever. Hedwig fluttering down, her white wings stretched wide as she landed in front of him. Head cocking to the side, golden eyes peering up him, hopping forward eagerly looking for her scratches and treats.
"Hedwig?" Harry's voice was hesitant, his green eyes looking for any trace of blood on her.
Her feathers were pristine as ever. He couldn't find a trace of her being hurt. It was when he let her nibble on his finger when he noticed his finger was now red.
His eyes flickered from his finger to his owl.
"Did you peck at someone?" Harry asked her.
She just blinked at him innocently and hooted while ruffling softly, Harry laughed as he continued to pet his girl. But blinking in shock when a large Great Horned Owl hooted angrily as he landed in Hedwig's nest. Harry had seen the owl before, his large white markings looking like glasses, he always dived at the Slytherin table, but he didn't know who he belonged to. Hedwig seemed to puff up at the owl in her nest but ultimately ignored him as she pecked at Harry's pants looking for the ever-present treats that he kept.
Harry smiled softly as he dug his hand into his pocket. He wasn't a big fan of bacon, but Hedwig loved it.
He handed her a few of the pieces that he had brought. It hadn't been many.
"Is that all you're after, treats?" He made a small laugh.
Hedwig just hooted before gobbling all of it as quickly as could except for one piece, "You not going to finish it?" Harry asked shocked, but he was even more shocked when the large male owl in her nest flew down to grab the last bacon bit and Hedwig let him!
"You got yourself a boyfriend, girl?" Harry laughed, flinching when Hedwig bit him and huffed at his laughter, before laughing again and scratching her head fondly.
"He looks like a magnificent owl for a very beautiful girl," he complimented her. His fingers gently traced down her feathers.
She flew to his shoulder and started preening at his hair.
Harry couldn't put it into words the amount of relief that he had felt when he saw Hedwig. Thinking the worst when he had seen the blood and feathers. He should have known that Hedwig was cleverer than that. That must have been the attacker's blood... Which meant, that she must have pecked and bit them hard for blood to be left behind.
He honestly couldn't believe that whoever did it, had gone after her. He wanted to hurt them for trying to hurt his girl. He hated animal abusers, they were so innocent, especially Hedwig. She didn't deserve to be hurt simply because people thought him a liar. Or thought it would have hurt him by going after Hedwig.
"They won't get away with this," Harry swore to her, "For hurting you," Hedwig looked at him before hooting at her mate, Harry watched as he flew to the nest and came back with a strand of bright orange hair. He felt fury rise up in him, there were very few people in Hogwarts with that color, but while looking at it he realized it was way too long to be Ron's.
Ginny hadn't shown much outward hostility, but he knew she had sided with her brother. Harry found himself remembering before the Quidditch World Cup, Ginny would scowl at Hedwig whenever she would sit on his shoulder. He had found it funny that every time Ginny had tried sit way too close to him or flirt, Hedwig would screech at her.
Harry outstretched his fingers towards the Great Horned Owl. He knew it probably was a bad idea... since most owls didn't like anyone besides their mate and their master.
He knew that mostly because of Hedwig. She didn't really like anyone else besides him. He wouldn't even say that she liked Hermione when they were still friends. It was more of... she tolerated her.
He stopped his hand moving immediately when the owl hooted and hopped back. But he kept it outstretched, "It's okay," he whispered, waiting for the owl to hop forward attentively. He felt himself grinning when Hedwig cooed softly watching her master and mate. Slowly the owl butted his head against Harry's palm, and he heard himself laugh in delight, heart soaring at the trust. Slowly rubbing his hand in a petting motion letting the owl get used to his touch. "You are handsome, and very big, I bet you are a powerful flier."
Harry let out a small laugh at the resounding hoot of agreement.
"I think he's in agreement with that, Hedwig," he muttered to her.
Harry's fingers jerked back when he heard a new voice.
"How did you do that?!"
Harry watched as the Great Horned Owl flew back into the nest.
It was Blaise.
Harry would have recognized his voice anywhere.