In the Crosshairs
Dragon Voldemort
Chapter 100: Monday
Harry woke in a sweat Monday morning."You overslept too," Gia said, "I've got school."
"Guess I'll do the run after that," Harry said, "Want help in the shower?"
"Not enough time for that," Gia said, still on the bed.
Harry left the bedroom. A hard right, went down the stairs, in the cauldron a letter and The Daily Prophet. He pulled those out, sat on the armchair, and went for the paper first. Curiosity more than anything, went for the corner first, the 547k reward for his head. Harry turned to the next article.
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Monday 17 March 1997
True Tales of the Aurors
by Dean Thomas
As a prefect at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I appreciate the assistance Ministry Aurors offer even when Potter is rightfully suspended (and should be expelled). I'm not alone in this appreciation, for I've gathered tales of other students, times that having an Auror around really helped out.
Mandy Brocklehurst, sixth year Ravenclaw, wrote, "Last week, in the library, I was having trouble with my Potions homework, when Auror Sidney offered several tips. I earned the highest mark of the Hufflepuffs."
Euan Abercrombie, second year Gryffindor, wrote, "Wednesday, Pritchard of Slytherin tried picking on me and my friends, Auror Wells put a stop to that. Thank you Wells."
Sally–Ann Perks, sixth year Hufflepuff, wrote, "When Malfoy nicked my silver hairbrush to give to Parkinson, Auror Buckland interceded. He listened to both my side and Malfoy's, he gave us adequate time to explain our situations. Buckland returned my hairbrush and gave a detention to Malfoy."
Juliet Barsham, first year Hufflepuff, wrote, "When I received news last week about my grandmother dying, Auror Barsham took the time to help me sort through the issues I had. She listened and comforted me. Thank you Barsham."
We students of Hogwarts encourage the Ministry to continue this program even after Potter is rightfully executed.
"They want me dead," Harry grumbled.
"Make sure their wishes go unfulfilled," Gia said as she entered, dressed up, "They're trying to tear you down, don't do it for them, make those jerks work for it."
Harry sighed.
"Annoying," Harry said.
"It is," Gia said, she leaned behind him, her hands worked down his chest, "A reminder to stay the friendly and loving person you are."
"They hate me and you want me to love them?" Harry asked.
Gia reached lower.
"Don't hold the grudge," Gia said, "Look at Snape for an unhealthy example. Learn to let go, for you, for us."
Harry opened the letter, her fingers worked into his shoulders as he read.
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Harry,
Do you wish to continue attending Hogwarts?
Mr. Weasley's efforts have born fruit. Board of Governors met yesterday, and have repealed the compulsory suspension mandate, however the Minister is still authorized to issue them. So, should you still wish to attend, please show yourself today, otherwise, it will be considered a resignation unless you write otherwise.
Hope you're adjusting well to your new home.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
"That's…" Harry muttered.
"Consequences either way, attend or drop," Gia said, her fingers worked his nipples, "He's aware of them, you're aware of them, right?"
"Yep," Harry said, thinking back to the whips.
"He doesn't want to force it," Gia said, "Still, attending gives you a better chance at fighting back, so I support your return."
"If it were easy, I'd continue," Harry said, "Lupin's good, but that's only defense, practical. Other stuff—Hagrid's class even with the biting, and Quidditch."
Her hands worked his shoulders again.
"Need to…you know," Gia said.
Harry stood. Her arms wrapped around him.
"Go today," Gia said, "You can always quit tomorrow."
"Um…hadn't thought of it that way," Harry said.
A focus of his wand, his book–bag flew the short distance to hang from his shoulders. A thought, Harry pulled out his Portkey.
"Quaint," Gia said.
Harry aimed his wand, tweaked it.
"There's no place like home," Harry said.
He handed it to her.
"Tap three times, say that," Harry said, "Should bring you here."
Gia's eyes on him.
"I don't really need it," Harry said, "But you do, in case I don't show up soon enough after school, as it's possible I won't be suspended."
"That's rare," Gia said.
"I know," Harry said, "Anyways, ready?"
Gia nodded. A swish, the disillusionment, and his wand banished. Harry held her, focused, they disapparated. Grass beneath their feet, the fair skies above, and between the portable classrooms painted in white. Harry led her to the door, into the classroom, waited until she sat.
"Later," Gia said, blew Harry a kiss.
Harry disapparated, hoped to see Ron and Hermione.
Ron woke on his back to the eyes, Crookshanks on his chest, the eyes that watched him, and the tail that went back and forth.
"Good morning," Ron said.
Ron petted the head, the ears.
Meow
"Wants to be fed," Hermione said.
She was at the desk.
"You could—" Ron started.
"He's asking you," Hermione said.
"Can you…" Ron said, "Pinning me down."
Hermione laughed, reached, lifted the cat.
"Mean boy won't feed you," Hermione said.
"Yes I will," Ron said as he stood, "Um…"
"In the kitchen," Hermione said.
Ron disapparated, apparated downstairs. Cabinet door was stuck, and he felt the zap.
"Ow," Ron muttered.
"Childproofed," Arthur said, "Need your wand."
Ron's out, the door opened, and he reached in for a tin. A plate, Ron opened the tin, and scooped it out.
"Ginny?" Ron asked.
"Already left," Arthur said.
Ron held the plate, disapparated, apparated in the middle guest room, set the plate down on the floor. Crookshanks loitered on the bed.
"So," Ron said, "How long are we suspended to this time?"
"We aren't," Hermione said, "At least I've not gotten a letter, you?"
Ron shook his head, at the same time his stomach growled.
"EXIMO—WHAT?" shouted Arthur below.
A glance to Hermione, Ron grabbed his book–bag, and the beetle from the desk. Hermione grabbed hers. Ron brought out the Portkey, activated it. Hermione touched it, and they were pulled away from London. Feet to the stone floor in the round dormitory, they stood.
"Hiya," said Neville from his trunk.
Ron moved, and sat down at the table. Neville sifted through his trunk. Food appeared on the table.
"You're back?" Neville asked.
"We got here," Ron said, "Been a while, last time…"
Ron counted on his fingers, decided to skip Harry's flight in the count.
"Three weeks?" Ron said, "Well, nice seeing you. Be home by noon, and back after the next holiday, when's that?"
"Easter end of next week," Hermione said.
"Catch you in class," Neville said.
Neville turned, went for the door. Ron took some cinnamon rolls. He piled on the scrambled eggs with bacon bits, read into the newsprint on the table.
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The Hogwarts Corpse
Potter Returns Today
by Ernie Macmillan
Potter, Weasley, and Granger are set to return after murdering Natalie MacDonald two weeks ago. Be on the lookout for scares around the corner. Maybe they'll be urinating into the food in the kitchens as payback to us.
For those thinking about doing without your armor, think again, it's a wise investment. Prefects can teach you the whistling charm, to summon attention in case of attack, ask them today.
"They've been busy," Hermione said.
"So have we," Ron said, wondered to Harry.
Albus Dumbledore read the letter at his desk in the Headmaster's Office.
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Albus Dumbledore,
We remind you that werewolves are prohibited from attendance, the grounds, or the castle for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Amos Diggory
"I suppose the Minister got to him," said Dumbledore.
"You have a problem," Snape said, "A werewolf and no place to treat him."
"It is your problem too," Dumbledore said, "Heard from Arthur that inspectors demanded to search their house this morning, luckily Ronald and Hermione were already on their way here."
"That house would naturally be suspect," Snape said, "Have you wagered to their departure?"
"Never," Dumbledore said, "And I expect you to do the same, or I will know your true allegiance, understood?"
A stare at the man, the one who was now a match due to the magical cost involved. Dumbledore had to trust him, and watched Snape spin, leave the office. Dumbledore glanced at Fawkes, a bit worried as he'd only felt one Portkey cross the wards so far.
Harry felt the attempted contorsion as he apparated, the force of will, and his toes were on the floor of the familiar yet unappealing dormitory. He once considered it home, no longer, this was an institution full of rapists and wannabe assassins.
"Sure we want to be here?" Ron asked, "Go back to that beach?"
Hermione snorted. Harry glanced at the two eating at the table.
"Good trip?" Harry asked.
"Could've written us a note!" Ron snapped as his stood.
"Thought you wanted to be left alone," Harry said, "I respected that."
"Showing up to a demolished house wasn't our idea of a welcome back!" Hermione snapped.
"Sorry it happened," Harry said, "Kurt died in that attack, so it wasn't pretty."
"Oh," Hermione said.
"Nobody offered anything," Ron said, "Where are you—?"
"Not here, I'll…" Harry's eyes turned to the table, the food on it. "Where'd that come from?"
"It's the normal," Hermione said, pointed at the plates in front of her.
"Food mysteriously appears," Harry said, "And you're eating it!"
Harry aimed his wand, the plates smeared their contents across the ceiling above the door.
"My breakfast!" Ron snapped, eyes that glared at Harry's.
"Neither Dobby nor Winky are even at Hogwarts," Harry said, "So who delivered it?"
"Harry…" Hermione muttered.
"Can you vouch for that food being safe?" Harry said, "I ought to take you both to Pomfrey!"
Ron shoved Harry.
"Three hundred sixty thousand for your head!" Harry snapped at Ron, "Two hundred forty thousand for hers!"
Another shove by Ron and Harry shoved back.
"Think Weasley think," Harry said, "Not seeing you killed for carelessness!"
"You're getting grumpy," Hermione said, as she stood, "Like Moody."
Harry pointed at the two.
"Vigilance!" Harry said, "You have prices on your heads that exceeds many dreams! I should expect you to value your lives, like you claim to value mine."
Ron shoved Harry, again, Harry returned. Hermione wedged herself between them, pushed them apart, faced Ron first.
"Calm down," Hermione said, "We should've checked."
She turned around.
"Better?" Hermione asked.
"Sorry for being rude," Harry said, "Seen…too much. Enough people in this castle want us dead, we can't afford to take chances."
Harry thought about Seamus Finnigan, the one leading that charge.
"Doesn't change the fact I'm hungry," Ron said.
"Care for the Great Hall?" Harry said, "About the only place we could trust."
"No," Hermione said.
"I'll risk it," Ron said, "I'm hungry."
Harry summoned a towel, dried himself.
"All or nothing," Harry said, "About time for classes."
Harry went to his wardrobe. He took out the Hogwarts uniform, the tie.
"Best to get moving," Ron said, "Since somebody interrupted breakfast."
Harry grabbed his book–bag, put it back over his shoulder.
"You'll live," Harry said.
Harry unsure if he spotted a beetle crawl on Ron's book bag, as its strap went over that shoulder.
"Let's go faster," Harry suggested.
"We could use the exercise," Ron said.
Hermione tried to hide knowledge behind her eyes, focus on the stonework. Harry wondered what else was going on. They opened the door, a snap, the arcing around the wood.
"Sure about this?" Harry said, "An early Defense obstacle course?"
Harry's wand out, he disillusioned himself, and went first. Harry kept his feet on the handrails, and slid down them. He jumped with the turns, ducked the loops of snares from the ceiling of those stairs, and jump into the Gryffindor Common Room. Above, effigies of them dangled from the rafters, begging.
Harry glanced at the aberrations of Ron and Hermione, they tumbled near the bottom of the steps, where the last several stairs vanished on them; Ron rolled over the ropes first, while Harry pulled Hermione.
Snap!
Ropes flew up, the snares that went empty handed.
"See?" Harry asked.
"Lousy timing," Ron said as he brushed himself off, "A second one way or the other, it would have worked."
Harry glanced at the stairs that reappeared.
"This is dangerous," Harry said, "What if they got somebody else?"
Ron shrugged.
"Suppose they know our schedule," Hermione said.
"Should fly the rest of this," Harry said.
"Not allowed in the corridors," Ron said as they went for the portrait hole.
"Somebody made you Prefect?" Harry asked.
"Don't swear," Ron replied.
Hermione snickered. They went out onto the seventh floor corridor, filled with effigies, the paintings and pictures to the walls. A urinal halfway down on the right side. Whips to the effigies, ones that fouled the floor.
"Um…" Hermione muttered.
"A painting ain't cursing us," Harry said, realized he'd hit on the truth, he'd rather a display over a corpse.
A turn, Harry spread his legs, used the handrails instead of the steps, slid. Ron and Hermione jumped steps as they went down. Harry had his wand aimed, burned a couple of ropes and snares.
"Okay, the fast way might've been better," Ron admitted.
Harry summoned his broom, hopped onto it. Ron did the same, Hermione to the back of him.
"As long as it's not night," Harry grumbled.
He flew his broom, kept pace with Ron behind him, past students in armor or yellow on their Hogwarts uniforms. Over snares and flame that tripped after they passed, down the other stairs, to the first floor. Harry dismounted his broom, knocked at the office door.
"Enter!" shouted Professor McGonagall.
Harry entered first. Though she wasn't in the Great Hall during the punishment, she was aware, and now that he was back, the shame came back to him, he stared at the stone beneath her wooden desk.
"Good morning," Professor McGonagall said, "It is a pleasure to see you."
Ron and Hermione stepped up beside him.
"Uncertain if you'd even show," Professor McGonagall said, "Please, I expect you to look at me when I'm talking."
"Sorry Professor," Harry said, he turned his head up toward her.
"Board of Governors appreciated your recent publicity," Professor McGonagall said, "They rescinded—"
"Dumbledore wrote," Harry said.
"So you understand the benefits of fighting back?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"Yes," Harry said.
"Getting suspended for being assaulted, raped," Professor McGonagall said, "They were appalled, however, the Aurors will remain."
"Minister will still find reason to suspend us," Harry said.
"Be more optimistic," Professor McGonagall said.
Ring!
"Schedules." Professor McGonagall handed them over. "Some teachers agreed to an alternative extra teaching session, which should mitigate some conflict."
"Thank you," Harry said, as he noticed the two entries, and only two, "Um…"
"Focus for you," Professor McGonagall said, "And Oliver has asked for a session."
Harry wondered about that.
"Lets go," Hermione said.
Harry turned, went out into the corridor. Harry heard the twang, a fast moving arrow shot down the corridor at them. Harry's wand in his hand, a curse fired, destroyed the arrow; Ron and Hermione stepped out next to him.
"No Dark Arts in the corridors!" Archer growled from behind them.
"We have a right—" Harry protested.
"No you don't Potter," Archer said, "A second time and it's capital."
Archer spat at Harry's feet, slimed the shoe.
"Now scram!" Archer barked.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked away.
"We're attacked and he's breathing down our necks!" Harry bitched.
"Vanish," Ron whispered.
Harry disillusioned himself, walked fast, stepped over the stones that burped out smoke, and made it into the third floor classroom, the Defense Against the Dark Arts. Within that classroom, Harry spotted Professor Tonks first, with Neville and Parvati standing to the side.
Ring!
Harry's disillusionment dropped, Professor Tonks swung fast with her wand aimed. Ron and Hermione released their disillusionment. A glance, Professor Tonks' wand flew into Harry's hand.
"Thank you for a spare," Harry said, turning around in the spartan classroom, only the six of them, "Must be drunk or something."
"Hiya," Neville said, "That wasn't right, what they did."
Harry went to Neville, stood in front of him.
"You watched the whole thing," Harry said.
"Two choices," Neville said, "Witness it or not, you still suffered, and it showed the brutality at play. Any other choice would've gotten people killed."
Harry took the step to Parvati. Her brown hair, the chocolate smell.
"You participated," Harry stated.
"I regretted it," Parvati said, "Padma didn't understand."
"Voldemort demonstrated the influence he has at the Ministry," Harry said, "That was his show, understand what you participated in."
"I even went to the Headmaster," Parvati said, "He…helped."
"Beware," Harry said, "I may pee back."
"Deal," Parvati said.
"Remember that Voldemort's leading us toward the destruction of everything," Harry said, remembering those weird alternates he had found himself in, "The Ministry, Finnigan, and the rest—distractions until it's too late."
Harry stepped back, threw Professor Tonks' wand back at her.
"Believe you had something you wanted to teach?" Harry said, "Or, we'll duel."
Harry studied those eyes, the ones trying to assess him.
"Please," Ron said, "The lesson."
"Oh, that," Professor Tonks said, "Protective wards and charms, though you don't have the time for a full term in your seventh year. Today will be a primer, one your classmates opted out of. However, a formal classroom seems…too formal."
A wave of her wand, desks piled to the side, though a round table showed instead. A tea kettle and cups floated in, appeared on the table, along with biscuits. Harry sat directly opposite Professor Tonks; Ron to his left, Hermione beyond; Neville to the right, Parvati beyond.
"A bit more comfortable this way, don't you agree?" Professor Tonks said as she poured out some tea, "Your peers seem to think this unnecessary, but you see the necessity."
Harry nodded. Harry got out a roll of parchment, and the Quick Quotes Quill. Harry caught Hermione's scowl.
"Great idea Harry," Ron said, "Should use Skeeter's—I still have it."
"Are you crazy?" Harry said, "You'd get a roll of notes about the weather or useless beauty products."
Harry caught the perplexed glance from Neville.
"I'll use Hermione's notes later," Ron said.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Yours are of much better quality—" Ron said.
"Enough banter," Professor Tonks said, "Protection charms, like the Imperturbment Charm or the Disillusionment Charm or SEP, are forms of wards. With normal spells and charms, you intend to act or change something. With wards, you intend to prevent something from occurring. You are setting up a rule or set of rules with each ward, no apparation or no magic for instance."
"Disapparation jinx," Harry said.
"Another rule," Tonks said, "They constrain actions. Now, erecting wards may seem easy and simple, but most are not. A single rule, a single ward, is simple; the complexity lies in the interaction of multiple rules and multiple wards. Some rules manifest themselves as actions in of themselves, shield charms can do that."
Harry's focus waned, wondered what exactly turned Parvati, or the things he'd seen with his broom. However, his Quick Quotes Quill diligently took notes.
…
An hour passed. Harry glanced at Ron, again, slumped over in his chair. A bird beyond the window caught his attention better than either Hermione or the Quick Quotes Quill still taking notes.
"I am lecturing." Professor Tonks slammed her hand against the table. Silverware and cups shook, Harry jumped up, stood, eyes on her.
"What?" Harry asked as Ron sat up.
"This is important," Professor Tonks said, "You, of all people, should realize that."
"You're making it dull and boring," Harry said, "Recruit Professor Binns to substitute."
Harry spun, glanced at Neville and Parvati, both of similar opinion.
"It's vital!" Hermione snapped.
"Boring and dull are vital?" Ron said, "Has to be a way to liven things up."
"Think what a minute notice would've done for you," Professor Tonks said, "Thought you'd understand—"
"Not doubting that—give essays for theory," Harry said, "Can we just do something instead while we're here?"
Neville nodded.
"I can accommodate," Professor Tonks said, "Everybody stand."
Ron stood, Hermione, Neville, and Parvati did. Professor Tonks stood, the table and chair joined the desks, stacked themselves up.
"This first one is the Zone," Professor Tonks said, "A zone of perception, say out to a few meters, it allows you to feel something approaching that you'd rather not encounter. Takes energy, but damn useful in rough situations, or Hogwarts in your case. Also illegal in Quidditch."
Harry's wand showed in his hand.
"Zonatentare," Professor Tonks said.
"ZONATENTARE!" Harry snapped.
Immediately, Harry heard the buzzing, the beetle perched on top of Ron's book–bag. Echos of metal armor in the hall. Another snap of the wand, at the wall.
"Inlusio Uno Modo!" Harry snapped.
Wall turned transparent to them, the three walked past in their metal armor; Seamus Finnigan, Ernie Macmillan, and Dean Thomas.
"How'd we get them out of here?" Finnigan asked.
"Destroy that table," Dean Thomas said, "Starve them out."
"Finite Incatatem," Harry said, "Okay, it works."
"As you'll notice," Professor Tonks said, "The size will vary from person to person until you refine your casting."
They spent the rest of the lesson practicing this and other charms.
"Alright," Professor Tonks said toward the end of the session, "Lets us try what you couldn't with Remus. Extend your presence with Adsum."
Ring!
"Lunch," Neville stated.
"I'll try it," Harry said as he saddled the book–bag over his shoulder, headed for the door.
"Um…" Ron muttered.
Harry went out the door, aimed his wand down the corridor.
"ADSUM!" Harry snapped with his swish and flick.
Flame erupted from several spots ahead, ropes dropped.
"Oh," Neville said.
"Rigged to me," Harry said.
"Something tells me people don't like you," Ron said.
Harry glanced at the painting on the wall, of him being lashed, along with the Die Potter Die sticker beneath it.
"Really?" Harry said, "Don't think I could've guessed."
Ron's stomach growled, loud.
"Of course I'm hungry," Ron said to Hermione, "Appalling short breakfast."
"Harry's right," Hermione said.
Harry understood the issue, even if he didn't share in it.
"Um…" Harry said, as he thought, "Great Hall's the closest. Hagrid's? Beyond the castle? Kitchens?"
"Not a good idea," Neville said.
"Treacle fudge is not a meal," Hermione said.
"Great Hall," Ron said, "I despise the place, but…I'm hungry."
Harry flicked his wand down the stairs.
"ADSUM!" Harry snapped.
More sparks, flames, others that jumped.
"Have to remember that," Ron said.
Harry split his legs and put his feet to both handrails, slid down, onto the first floor.
"He's not very trusting," Neville said to Parvati.
Harry jumped off onto the first floor. Harry aimed his wand toward the marble stairs.
"ADSUM!" Harry snapped.
A slight shake, more flame beneath the paintings and pictures of him under whips.
"Advertising your path?" Professor McGonagall said, "Some people mind the fireworks."
"I mind the traps," Harry said, "Rest of this—they've got a right to be mad."
"It's nice to actually walk," said Hermione, behind Harry.
Harry led the way, to the marble stairs. Harry jumped to the railing, his arms out balanced him as he went down. Ron and Hermione dodged the curses that belched from the posts of the handrails.
"This is going to be interesting," Neville said to Parvati, both went down the stairs, unchallenged.
Trepidation, the location of the assault against him, inflicted almost a dozen days earlier, however, Harry knew Ron was hungry, and the only other sensible option meant revealing a talent best kept hidden.
"Stick to me," Harry said to Ron and Hermione.
A curse, both doors opened for Harry, and he walked into the Great Hall. Gasps, stares, at him.
…
Ron felt Hermione's fingers on his hand, the strong grip, knew they shared the same nightmare flooding back in, the debate as to whether lunch was really worth it, however, Ron's stomach made its opinion clear as it ached from the rumble of his growl.
"Um…" Ron muttered.
Coughing, choking, as those others, some in canary yellow, some in Hogwarts colors, spat up their food. A fast flood to the armor piled against the back wall. Others simply cleared out. Over half the students left the Great Hall.
"Forward," Harry whispered.
Ron about pulled Hermione, her resistance there, though she stepped, both behind Harry. The three walked, a march between the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor Tables, Neville and Parvati waited at the door.
"Why bother?" Anthony Goldstein yelled from the Ravenclaw Table.
Ron focused on Goldstein's eyes, the ire, the belief of the ruse that matched the canary yellow of his jumper, the memories of what Anthony had done to Hermione during the ordeal.
"I'm hungry," Ron said, "That surprise you?"
"Now we know how long you'll survive on shit!" shouted Wayne Hopkins, also at the Ravenclaw Table.
Harry stopped near the front, turned to Ron and Hermione.
"Ignore them," Harry said.
Harry sat next to Ash, the first year Gryffindor. Ron and Hermione went around the end, sat to the other side, Ginny to the other side of Hermione. Ron set his book–bag on top of the table, the beetle that perched on top of it.
"Bunch of arseholes," said Jack Sloper, the third year Gryffindor.
Ron reached for the leg of chicken in the bowl, sank his teeth into it.
"Check them out!" Ernie Macmillan shouted, "They could use the reminder!"
"Worked on your lack of performance?" Ron shouted.
Snickers and snorts.
"Have to excuse him," Ron shouted, "Hasn't been around the block like Parkinson!"
Malfoy stood, moved along the Slytherin Table. The beetle from his book–bag jumped onto Ron's shoulder.
"That's mean," Hermione snapped.
"Why should I care?" Ron said, "They're the ones that insisted on us—"
"Some men know how to get what they want," Malfoy sneered, now behind Harry, "You lack the balls."
"Know what?" Harry stood, faced Malfoy. "You handled yourself like you're banging your Mum."
"Potter—" Malfoy sneered.
Ron stood, faced Malfoy.
"About right," Ron said, "That's the only hole—"
"Going from the family experience Weasley?" Malfoy sneered, those eyes on Ron.
Jealousy, hatred, confidence within Malfoy. Not that Ron needed to know that, his tongue already moving to utter.
"Harder little dragon," Ron mocked, "Do it for Mummy!"
"Five…excuse me, six brothers and Potter," Malfoy sneered, "We know where you learned things, to become the cockwatcher you are."
"Mummy teach you?" Ron mocked, "Or Crabbe? Or Goyle?"
Hermione followed Ron, around the end of the table. Harry's facing off with Malfoy. Finnigan approached from behind, others encroached, the canary yellow. Ravenclaws moved in from the front.
"Can it," Harry said, "It's not his fault if he can't tell boys from girls or the sides apart—is that why Bulstrode is looking so unhappy? Or was it your mood swings?"
"Mummy made him withdraw," Ron mocked.
"Do not insult my family," Malfoy sneered.
"Can't take your filth?" Ron snapped.
"I suggest you shut up Malfoy," Harry said.
"A threat!" Thomas exclaimed.
Finnigan lunged, Malfoy backed up. Finnigan gripped Harry's neck as he tackled Harry, Harry rolled forward, crawled fast, and stood. Harry aimed his wand; Ron had his aimed at Macmillan sprinting toward them. Hermione to Harry's and Ron's back, her wand aimed at the Ravenclaws encroaching.
"Not worth it," Malfoy said, "Should see the memorial stones to the last people to tangle with them."
Harry moved first, Ron's and Hermione's pushed backward to keep pressure to Harry, the slow drift toward the doors; the beetle remained on Ron's shoulder, the miniature quill that moved.
"Potter, stop!"
Auror Gairloch marched fast toward them.
"Attempts to use Dark Arts is capital if I recall—" Auror Gairloch said.
"We are leaving!" Harry protested, "They were about to—"
"Save it for Dumbledore," Auror Gairloch sneered.
"Watch our backs," Harry said as they left the Great Hall.
"Already did," Auror Gairloch said, "Move it."
Unsure if Harry deliberately didn't take precautions as he climbed the steps, the flame that came out, singed the hair, the robes of the Auror, or if Harry managed to do a wandless charm of the presence already. Ron snickered, watched the grown man duck as they went along the corridors. Hermione walked with Ron.
Date: Thu Jan 4 09:53:35 2024