Chapter 21: Getting into trouble
Hogwart's Grounds
After lunch, Harry and his fellow Gryffindors head for the castle grounds where they can start their next lesson, a lesson which Harry is very excited about: Flying. During their trip, Neville joins the group completely free of boils from his mishap in potions. The poor lad was hesitant be near Harry as he wanted to apologise for costing him house points when he earned them surprisingly by Snape. But Harry doesn't blame Neville for he suspected the potions master to take them anyway, but he forgave him regardless just to ease the boy and to show no hard feelings were made.
This helped Neville feel better, especially when his other Gryffindors bear no ill will on him either and are only glad that he's fine from his accident. He knows he can be clumsy and useless, but he wouldn't let it affect his new friends at all, especially when none of it is his fault.
They arrived outside the school, out on the grounds by the northern wall where the Quidditch pitch stands with it's colourful spectator towers were visible from behind the castle walls. Waiting outside the grounds is a middle-aged witch with short grey hair, dressed in dark leather gear which you would find worn by airplane pilots in the early 20th century, complete with a pair of brown leather goggles which are over her forehead so that her golden hawk-like eyes can watch the incoming first years of Slytherin and Gryffindor approach her for their first day of Flying.
"Afternoon, class," said the hawkeyed witch to her students for this afternoon.
"Afternoon, Madame Hooch," said the entire class as they all each stand behind the laid-out broomsticks on the floor, which are arranged in rows for each student in both houses to use for their class.
"Welcome to your first flying lesson," said Madame Hooch, she is quite eager to teach her new students how to fly, but maintains it so she can be serious and responsible for a good reason. "Well, what are you waiting for? Everyone steps up to the left side of your broomstick."
The first years, step forward with some either with eagerness and hesitation until they all stand beside their brooms which are now on their right side.
"Come on, hurry up," said Madame Hooch with impatience as she watches her first-year students reluctantly approach their broom. "Now stick out your right hand over the broom and say "up"
Harry along with the other first years did what Madame told them to do, as he reached out his right hand and said "up", the broom suddenly rises up and is now in his hand. "Wow," said with astonishment as he can feel the Broom in his hand shake as if it's alive. He looks around to see that the first years are having trouble calling for their brooms as one by one they managed to get their brooms to come. Harry also noticed that Malfoy's broom was already called for him easily as he gives the pirate prince a smug look on his face, Harry only rolled his eyes and ignored the pale skinned prat and starts to watch the others call for their brooms.
"With feelings," Madame Hooch said to the rest who are still struggling to get their brooms to come. Taking Hooch's words with consideration, the rest of the students have starting to get their brooms to come, of course there are those who are still struggling for there are those among the brooms who are very stubborn and won't listen. Harry looks around to see that his friends Seamus, Dean and Neville are still haven't gotten their brooms to listen, but they are making progress as their brooms can only buckle and hover a couple of inches from the ground. Even Hermione, who is considered the cleverest among the Gryffindors is also having trouble getting the broom to listen, and Harry can tell by the way she tells it to come up, she is very hesitant as if she's scared to go flying but doesn't want to show it to the others. As for Ron, the red head is not making any progress at all as the broom remains lying idly beside him. Ron keeps on saying "up" over and over until his temper and patience starts to lose and becomes angry at the old piece of sweeping equipment.
"UP!" Ron exclaimed angrily at the broom, this caused the broom to come, but only to whack him on the head before dropping down on the floor. Harry, along with Seamus and Dean struggles to stifle their laughter for they found it funny. Ron caught on to this and starts to mutter with pink ears. "Shut up."
"Now then," said Madame Hooch as she can finally start her lesson now that all of the first years called for their brooms at last. She marches in between the two row of students and starts to lay out the next steps on learning to fly. "Now that you called for your broom, I want you to mount it. Between the legs please, none of that side-saddling nonsense please. And when you're mounted, take a firm grip on the handle so you won't slip off from the other end."
The students did what's told, they mounted their brooms as instructed and held on tightly on the handle.
"Good, now for the tricky part." Said Madame Hooch as she stops to where she originally stood. I want you all to kick the ground hard to get yourself airborne, then let yourself hover for a few moments before you learn forward for the sudden drop. On the first whistle blow, kick hard and hover, until I blow again to get back to earth. Ready? Go!"
But as Madame Hooch just blew her whistle, Neville is suddenly ascending into the air, too high in fact that he has no idea why. This caused everyone to look up with both astonishments and worry, on the Gryffindor's side while the Slytherins only saw this amusing (mostly to Malfoy and his goons Crabbe and Goyle, while others such as Daphne and Blaise showed indifference but minor concern). Madame Hooch however isn't amused as she tries to call out to Neville for come down but to no avail.
"Come back down this once, Mr. Longbottom!" shouted Madame Hooch
"I don't think he can, Madame Hooch," said Harry with a look of concern as he looks up. "I could take him down with my Blink-Blink powers, but he's going too fast and bobbing out of control for me to even get to him."
Harry speaks the truth, moving objects, be it inanimate or living is very tricky for him to use his power on them for they need to be on a precise position for him to teleport them to one point into another. And since Neville and his broom is going crazy fast and doing somersaults in the air, it's hard for Harry to get his mark due to the broom's unpredictability.
"Merlin, help me," said Madame Hooch as she pulls out her wand. "Don't worry, Potter. This ain't the first time this happened to a student. I appreciate the help, but there's no need, riled up brooms will get bored and stop...eventually."
"I don't think Neville's gonna last long," said Parvati when she and the others now see Neville bumping into the upper tier of the castle walls and towers. Neville is clinging to the broom for his life now, for the broom is trying to knock the scared timid Gryffindor boy off. "We got to do something."
"Help!" exclaimed Neville when the broom dive-bombs to the ground, only for it to rear its head back up until it shoots back up into the sky again.
"Wow, I didn't know Longbottom knew the vronski feint," said Malfoy sarcastically while Crabbe and Goyle sniggered behind.
"Shut up, Malfoy!" said Ron as he is about to give him a piece of his mind, but Harry stops him.
"Ron, don't" said Harry, "Neville's in trouble here."
"And what can we do about it?" said Ron
"Oh no!" said Hermione when Neville suddenly over a tower were a bronze statue of a female warrior with a spear stands on top and Neville's robes got caught in the spearhead, forcing Neville to slip of his crazy broom and is now dangling 20 feet from the ground.
"Help, Help!" Neville pleaded as he can starts to hear his robes tear from the snag it's in.
"Hold on, Neville," said Harry as he now can use his Blink-Blink fruit powers to save Neville. He also noticed the deadpan looks from his friends which Harry replied. "I know, bad choice of words, now shut up and let me concentrate."
Harry focuses on Neville so he can use his powers, Neville is about to fall when his robes fail him but Harry was quick enough and the distressed boy suddenly vanished in a blink, only for him to appear nearby and tumble onto the ground. The Gryffindors cheered to Harry for his act of heroism, but Harry ignores their praise and approaches Neville to check up on him.
"Neville, are you alright?" said Harry
"A bit sore, but I'm fine," said Neville as he slowly gets up. "Thank you Harry-ow."
"What's wrong?" said Harry.
"My wrist, it hurts," said Neville as he winced when he tries to more his hand. "I must've hurt it while I was hitting the walls."
"I'll take it from here, Mr. Potter," Madame Hooch said as she approached Neville to examine his injuries. "I appreciate you saving him, Mr. Potter. That ability is quite useful."
"It has it's uses, ma'am," said Harry as he then turns to Neville. "Plus, it would've been worse if I didn't do anything."
"True, Mr. Longbottom is luckily to suffer from just a broken wrist." Said Madam Hooch as she then helps Neville up and starts to take him inside the castle. And while she does this, she speaks out to the rest to the other students. "Now I want all you to remain grounded while I take Mr. Longbottom to the hospital wing. If I see any broom in the air, you will be out of Hogwarts quickly before you can say Quidditch."
As Madame Hooch and Neville enters the castle, the students remain on the ground as instructed. What Neville didn't know when he was safely back on ground thanks to Harry, a glass orb fell off his pocket when he tumbled. The orb is his Remember-all, a magic item that helps its wielder remind them of something of what they forgotten, ironic that Neville completely forgotten that this orb fell off when he tumbled on the ground. But what's sad is that Malfoy is now holding it after picking it up from the ground and said nothing about it.
The pale boy starts to laugh and juggle the ball while he mocks Neville about his little mishap early on, which his fellow Slytherins found hilarious.
"Did you see the look on his face?" said Malfoy to his fellow snakes. "If that great lump gives this a squeeze, he'd remember to land on his fat arse."
"That's not funny, Malfoy!" Parvati retorted and confronts the pale blond. "Neville could've gotten really hurt if Harry didn't help him."
"Ooh, sticking up to Longbottom?" said Pansy Parkinson in a mocking tone. "I didn't you were interested in fat little cry babies who suck at about everything, Patil."
"Yeah, he sucks about keeping his things in one place though," said Malfoy as he keeps playing with the remember-all. "I wonder how long it'll take him to realise this was missing, eh? A day, a week, the entire term I reckon?"
The Slytherins around Malfoy continues to laugh as they continue to mock poor Neville, fortunately Harry had quite enough of this and decided to step forward.
"Give it here, Malfoy," Harry suddenly confronts Malfoy, causing the blond and the other Slytherins to cease their laughter.
Malfoy scowled when Harry confronts him and turns to retort in his usual smarmy way.
"No, I think I'll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find," said Malfoy as he mounts on his broom and takes off. "How about on a roof?"
Malfoy flies up in the air and continues to egg Harry on while tossing and catching the Remember-all with his hand like a toy ball.
"What's the matter, Potter?" said Malfoy taunting the pirate prince as he circles swiftly like a Golden Snitch. "Bit beyond your reach? I doubt even your freakish powers can take this off me, not while I'm moving about."
Harry scowls at Malfoy and starts to mount on his own broom.
"Harry, no!" shouted Hermione. "Madam Hooch told us to stay put, beside you don't know how to fly."
Harry didn't listen, he took off and soars highly in the air to go after Malfoy. Hermione sighs in exasperation and mutters "what an idiot" and watches with the rest of the still grounded students.
"Give it here, Malfoy or I'll knock you off your broom!" Harry threatened Malfoy, but Malfoy isn't fazed and only scoffed for he only saw as a bluff. He knows that Harry wouldn't risk hurting him or he'll risk getting expelled, or worse be sent to Azkaban for attempted murder.
"Is that so?" said Malfoy calmly while he keeps juggling the remember-all with his free hand while keeping hold on the broom with the other.
Harry turns to the remember-all bobbing up and down in Malfoy's Hand and tries to catch it while it's in mid-air. But just when Harry lunges to get the glass ball, Malfoy spins away to evade Harry's attempt and turns with a smug grin. But do not be fooled for Malfoy was quite surprised by Harry's attempt for he was intended to knock him off his broom. He doesn't want to show everyone he's scared of some Half-blood vagabond who was raised by scurvy pirates (his words, not mine).
"You look nervous, Malfoy," said Harry, this caused Malfoy to scoff
"Nervous? Me?" said Malfoy "Why would I be nervous?"
"Well, you and I are alone in the air," said Harry. "Crabbe and Goyle are a bit beyond your reach to help you. And you're within mine to use my freakish powers on you. So, give me the remember-all or you'll find yourself suddenly appearing in the girls' toilets- occupied or not."
Malfoy winced for he recalls the last time Harry used his powers on him, it took him some time to recovered from the bruises and shame he gained when he was slapped and beaten by a group of angry half-naked sixth years.
Screw this, I ain't going through that again, thought Malfoy while keeping his fake smug expression.
"You want it?" said Malfoy before he throws it in the air, straight to the highest peak of Gryffindor Tower. "Then catch it!"
Harry wasted no time going after the ball, he leans forward so that he can fly as fast as he can go. He keeps his eyes on the soaring Remember-all despite the afternoon sun getting in the way, he never leaves his sight on the ball as it then drops down. Harry dives to follow the falling ball and reaches out for it, he dies nose down to the ground which caused everyone down below to gasp in shock for this would result in Harry crashing. But Harry didn't crash for he caught the ball and pulls back to gain his altitude and soars back into the air.
The Gryffindors suddenly cheers when Harry successfully caught the remember-all and didn't get hurt in the progress. Harry's heart was racing, the adrenaline was coursing through his entire body as the thrill was intense but loved every moment of it. He remains in the air so that he can soak in the sights of the Castle and all of Hogwarts. He loved flying, ever since he was a child with him riding on Nami's cloud familiar Zeus, but to be the one doing the flying instead of just being a passenger...it's special.
"I could just stay up here forever," said Harry with a smile of peace on his face.
"HARRY POTTER!"
Suddenly his heart sank when the voice of Professor McGonagall was heard and looks down to see the witch enter the grounds with a brisk pace. Harry slowly descends and gulps nervously for he is about to face the consequences, this isn't like the time when he was caught nicking from market stalls by the marines, he knows that he won't get away from this. Surrendering to his fate, Harry dismounts his broom and waits for McGonagall to approach him.
"Professor McGonagall, I can explain..."
"Never- in all my time at Hogwarts-" McGonagall said as she cut Harry off. "Are you daft, lad? You could've broken your neck- "
"It wasn't his fault, Professor-" Parvati spoke out so to defend Harry and explain. But McGonagall silenced the girl.
"Be quiet, Ms. Patil"
"But Malfoy-" Ron tries to speak, but was also silenced too by the emerald robed witch.
"That's enough, Mr. Weasley." Said McGonagall as she silenced the Gryffindors who were trying to defend Harry for his reckless flying. She turns back to Harry with her usual stern look and sighed in exasperation. "Never thought I'd be doing this- come with me, Potter."
Not having much of a choice, Harry follows McGonagall to the castle, he noticed Malfoy and his lackeys sniggering at him for getting into trouble. He so wanted to blink Malfoy into the girl's toilets, but right now, he needs to go and probably be punished for his actions.
Hogwarts
Harry frowned but turned away so he can follow the old witch to whatever punishment he'll get. He's dreading that he'll face expulsion, all because he was flying on a broom unsupervised, which was solely Malfoy's fault. He'd rather get house points taken away or perhaps detention than expulsion, he only spent a few days in Hogwarts and wanted to continue on with learning magic.
"Professor, where are we going?" said Harry
McGonagall said nothing as she continues to walk up the stairs and through corridors and hallways without saying a word. This suspense is making Harry uneasy for he doesn't know what's about to happen. The further he goes on with this silence, the more he's getting anxious, surely McGonagall isn't this cruel to let a student get this worried with this silent suspense.
Fortunately, just after 5 minutes going up the stairs and through more corridors, McGonagall suddenly stops.
"Please wait here," said McGonagall to Harry before she opens up the door to reveal a familiar classroom. Harry realised where he is, he's near the Charms class and Professor Flitwick is currently teaching a group of fifth years. "Pardon me, Professor Flitwick but can I borrow Wood for a second."
Wood? Thought Harry when he starts to expect the worse. Oh god, she's not gonna hit me with a cane, is she?"
Flitwick is puzzled for a second, but he then raised his brow with intrigue and smiles behind his moustache and nods. McGonagall exits the classroom, but with a fifth year Gryffindor boy with short brown hair.
"Is something the matter, Professor?" said the boy before he turns to Harry with a puzzled look.
"Let me explain in private, follow me," said McGonagall as she takes off and made both Harry and the boy follow her to a vacant room. As they enter the empty classroom, Peeves was there writing various swear words on the blackboard. "Peeves, leave!"
The poltergeist replied with blowing raspberries and phases through the walls to do something else to do. McGonagall turns to the two and finally speaks which gave Harry some relief for he can hear her reasons of them coming here.
"Potter, this is Oliver Wood." McGonagall introduces the fifth year to Harry, Wood offers Harry a hand which he took and shakes. "Wood- I've found you a Seeker."
The puzzled expression which formed on Wood's face suddenly changed with delight.
"You can't be serious?" said Wood, not of disbelief but with of eagerness as if he wanted what the old witch said to be true.
"Absolutely," said McGonagall as she couldn't help but smile delight, she maintained her stern expression for too long and now she feels nothing but excitement "The boy's a natural. I've never seen anything like it. Was that your first time on broomstick, Potter?"
Harry nodded silently. He is still confused at why McGonagall brought him here if he's not going to be punished or expelled.
"I saw it from my office window," said McGonagall to Wood. "He dove down from fifty-feet, caught that item which Malfoy threw before it reached the ground and pulled away with ease and not crash since. Not even Charlie Weasley would've done it when he was playing."
Wood is becoming more intrigued and starts to circle and examine Harry, a smile now forms more on the older boy's face as if he just won the lottery containing a 1 million galleon prize.
"You ever seen a game of Quidditch, Potter?" Wood asked
"N-No, I only heard and read about it," said Harry, still confused by the situation. "Forgive me, but what's going on, Professor?"
"Mr Wood here's the Captain of the Gryffindor Team," McGonagall explained to Harry. "Unfortunately, the team's not doing well ever since the team Seeker left the school and graduated, ever since Wood struggled with finding anyone with raw talent to be the new seeker-until now."
"He's just the right build for a seeker," said Wood as he examines Harry more. "Light- speedy- and keen eyed if he managed to catch something so fast and small so easily. Yes, he's perfect. He'll need a Broom -a Nimbus 2000 or a Cleansweep 7, I'd say. You think you'll arrange that, Professor?"
McGonagall took a moment in that thought, buying those brooms would be costly, but considering this is for Harry and her chance to have her house win a Quidditch Cup for once. It'll be worth every knut.
"I'll speak to Dumbledore and see if he can bend this first-year rule this once," said McGonagall smiling at Wood for she agrees to the suggestion. "Hopefully this would break the losing streak, Merlin forbid I'll bear another smarmy smirk from Professor Snape this year."
"I don't blame you, I'm the same when Marcus Flint had to remind me of the embarrassment I call the Quidditch matches in the past year." Said Wood with a grimace before turning to Harry with a smile, "So? What'd you say, Potter? Interested?"
"I'm sorry, but I'm still confused here," said Harry as he broke the ice and turns to McGonagall. "Aren't I supposed to me punished for breaking the no-flying rule?"
"Well, it's entirely up to you, Potter," said McGonagall with her arms crossed and gives him a stern look which hid her cunning. "You can either take the punishment, which would result in losing a substantial amount of house points and doing weeks' worth of detention, plus whatever punishment your parents will give you when I inform them of this. Or, you can accept the position as the new Seeker in the Gryffindor Quidditch team and I'll overlook this mishap just this once."
Harry was taken back by this and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Sorry, but I ain't sure if you're threating me with a good time," said Harry. "I mean, Qudditch does interest me and I wanted to play, but not this soon since I only started learn how to ride a broom."
"You rode that broom naturally, Potter," said McGonagall. "That's raw talent if I ever saw one. Even your father had unmatched skill with the broom and played as Seeker back in the day."
Harry raised his eye and couldn't help but smile when he learned something about his dad, James.
"So? What's it gonna be?" said McGonagall
Great Hall
"You're joking?"
At dinner time, Harry regrouped with friends at the Gryffindor table at the Great Hall, when they saw him enter the hall, they expected the worst but when he told them about the offer in joining the Gryffindor Team, they were gobsmacked. Ron couldn't believe it, in fact when he heard the news, he left the contents of steak and kidney pie in his mouth to fall out from his gaping mouth and fall back on his plate.
Even Seamus and Dean were shocked by this as well as Parvati, who approached to see if Harry is alright when McGonagall took him to be punished, only to be equally shocked by the news of his new position as Seeker. Neville isn't here for he's currently recovering in the hospital wing from his broom flying accident, but he would be shocked by the news too, not to mention feel responsible when the sole reason for breaking the no flying rule is because Malfoy stealing his Remember-all.
"Seeker," said Ron with bewilderment still on his face. "But no first-years have ever made the team, which means you're the first in the century to join."
"I know, Wood mentioned that," said Harry, "And third potter to be a Seeker too, way back to my granddad Fleamont."
"Jaysus, you must be born under a lucky star, Harry," said Seamus. "I couldn't help but be jealous of you."
"I make my own luck, Seamus," said Harry as he takes a bite from his own pie on his plate. "Then again, I don't really have much of a choice. It's either join the team or accept the punishment."
"Not much of a choice?" said Ron, pulling a face at Harry. "Come off it, you'd be barmy to refuse this one-time offer."
"You're right, I would be barmy," said Harry. "And I wouldn't be here talking about it, and instead I'd be cleaning the toilets or helping Filch with giving Mrs. Norris her flea medicine."
Seamus and Dean cringed and shuddered by that thought, Mrs. Norris isn't the nicest of cats that wander the halls Hogwarts. They all rub the back of their hand for the first time they encountered her, they ended up getting scratched by her when they tried to be friendly and pet her.
"At least you'd be learning an important lesson," Hermione spoke out with an unamused expression. "I mean, it's very unprofessional of Professor McGonagall to let you get away with breaking the rules."
"Of give McGonagall some slack, Granger."
"Yeah, it ain't her fault she's a fan of Quidditch,"
Fred and George suddenly joined in with the conversation and approached Harry with very pleased smiles on their faces.
"Well done, Harry," said Fred as he pats Harry on the back, "Wood told us."
"Aye, we're in the team too- beaters we are." Said George
"It's our job to keep you from getting bloodied up by them bludgers flying in the field," said Fred.
"Of course, Quidditch can be a rough game for starters, but I'm sure you'll kill it when you catch that snitch in the end."
"But make sure you catch it when it benefits us in winning," said Fred, "Last time that happened, we lost against to Slytherin by 10 points back in the Winter of '89, I think."
"Then again, it wasn't Charlie's fault, his mind was on dragons ever since he was given that scholarship in Romania, where he's now studying those fire-breathers in the colonies." Said George
"Shame really, the team wasn't the same when he graduated, and last year was a nightmare." Said Fred, "Anyway, we best be off now, Lee's waiting for us."
"Good luck with the training with Wood," said Fred, "He can be a bit strict, but that's only because he's very passionate."
And with that the Weasley twins ran off, Ron shook his head and resumes his talk with Harry.
"So, you'll be training huh?"
"Next week, at first light," said Harry "For now he'll just be explaining the rules of the game, I reckon. And to arrange other days to train for the next game."
"Can't wait," said Seamus, "this would be my first time seeing a Quidditch match."
"I bet's it unlike footie, eh?" said Dean, "especially when it involves broomsticks."
"If you're busy flying broomsticks all the time, it'd be awkward kicking the ball to the goal with a long piece of wood between your legs, Dean," said Harry, causing the dark-skinned boy to laugh.
"True," said Dean until suddenly he spots Malfoy approach the table with Crabbe and Goyle by his side. "Look out, here comes trouble."
Ignoring Dean's remark, Malfoy approaches Harry and gives him one of his arrogant smirks at the pirate prince who was casually eating his pie meal.
"Having your last meal before you leave school, Potter?" Said Malfoy, he isn't aware that Harry wasn't in trouble for unauthorized broom flying and believed that McGonagall or Dumbledore has expelled Harry for it. "Tell me, when are you getting the train to leave?"
"First of all, I'd be leaving on ship with my family, if I were expelled." Said Harry calmly "And secondly, if I were to leave school, it'd be at the end of term for the holidays."
Draco was taken back and confused by this.
"Confused?" said Harry, "then I'll explain, I'm not expelled."
"What?" said Malfoy loudly that it caused everyone to turn their heads at him when his outburst echoed in the entire hall. "Why the hell not? You broke the rules!"
"So did you and you're still here." Said Harry shrugging his shoulders. "You want to form a complaint? Go right ahead, the Professor's just at the table. I'm sure she would like to hear you out, especially when you started that incident in the first place."
This caused Malfoy to back off but kept calm.
"I don't know how you evade punishment, Potter but don't let it get to your head," said Malfoy "One of these days your luck will run out, and when it's does, you're finished."
"I make my own luck, Malfoy," said Harry "And it comes whenever I need it or not."
"Then let's test that luck," said Malfoy with a sneer. "Midnight, tonight at the trophy room, a wizards duel."
This causes the Gryffindors around Harry to gasp and all turn to him to see his respond.
"No thanks, I'm busy at midnight." Said Harry waving Malfoy's challenge declaration off.
"Busy?" Malfoy scoffed at Harry. "Busy doing what?"
"Sleeping, of course," Harry said casually, causing an uproar of laughter from the Gryffindors and made Malfoy's pale face turn a light pink in anger and embarrassment when he walked into that one.
"Very funny, Potter!" said Malfoy. "Just admit it, you're scared."
"No, I'm just not stupid to accept a fight that doesn't benefit me." Said Harry "I don't need to prove anything to you Malfoy, so leave."
Malfoy only scoffed at Harry as he sees his refusal as an act of cowardice.
"Well, I'll be waiting at the trophy room if you change your mind," said Malfoy "But if you insist in refusing like a coward, then I'm sure any brave Gryffindor's are up to the challenge and maintain their reputation as the brave and strong, unlike you Potter."
And like that, Malfoy left the table after planting a very small seed of doubt in the heads of the first years. Doubt which slowly caused them to question Harry's choice in refusing a wizard's duel and wondered if what Malfoy said is true. Well...not all are thinking that for Hermione broke the silence and speaks to Harry with rare support.
"You made the right choice, Harry," said Hermione with a small smile. "And quite brave too."
"Brave?" said Ron in disbelief. "He down right refused his challenge of a wizard's duel. No wizard in their life ever refuses a challenge, not even Gryffindors. You just damaged the reputation on the House, Harry."
"It ain't worth getting into more trouble than I already have, Ron." Said Harry. "Besides, Malfoy wouldn't be here, he's bluffing."
"Bluffing?" said Ron "How do you know he's bluffing?"
"Because without his goons, he's nothing put a snivelling coward who cries to his parents when he can't get his way." Said Harry "Trust me, I know people like that"
"Well I'm just glad you didn't rise to his bait, Harry." Said Hermione
"He's using the wrong kind to rile me up," said Harry before he turns to Ron. "And Ron, don't do it."
"What?"
"I know you enough, Ron," said Harry. "And I know what your intentions are."
Ron only scoffed at Harry and goes back to his meal.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Ron lied through his teeth, trying to be convincing. But Harry and Hermione aren't fooled.
Midnight: Boy's Dormitories
"Harry, Harry!"
Harry stirs restlessly when someone is shaking him and calling his name. He groans awake and looks up to see the face of Neville.
"Oh, hi Neville." Said Harry as he sits up from his bed and rub his eyes before putting his glasses on. "When did you get here?"
"Just now, Madame Pomfrey discharged me now that my wrist's completely healed." Said Neville as he showed his still bandaged wrist. "I just need to go easy with my wand waving for a couple of days."
"Glad to hear," said Harry as he then gives his hand a wave and the Remember-all appeared in his hand before giving it to Neville. "You dropped this."
"Thanks, Harry," said Neville as he retrieved his remember-all and puts it in his robe pocket.
"No problem," said Harry. "Listen, I'm glad you're alright but couldn't this wait until morning?"
"Oh, I almost forgot why I woke you this late," said Neville in realisation. "It's Ron, he left the Common Room."
"What?" said Harry as he then turns to Ron's bed to found it empty. "God damn it, Ron!"
Harry then turns to Neville.
"Don't worry about Ron, Neville." Said Harry "You just go to bed and rest your wrist, alright? I'll go get Ron back before gets into real trouble."
"You know where he is?" said Neville
"Hope so, but then again I just hope I'm wrong." Said Harry as grab his robes and leaves the dorm.
As Harry left the dorms to head for the exit, he suddenly stumbles across Hermione who is sitting by the fire.
"Hermione? What are you doing up?"
"I can assume the reason you're up is because of Ron," said Hermione, "I heard commotion here and when I came here, the common room was empty. I thought you and Ron were arguing about going to that alleged duel with Malfoy."
"No, I was asleep," said Harry with an annoyed frown. "I didn't notice Ron gone until Neville woke me. I need to get him back."
"Can't you just use your powers to summon him here?" said Hermione
"I would if I know where he is in the castle," said Harry rubbing the back of his neck. "And I can't just blink my way since the castle is patrolled by prefects and worse, Filch."
"I see, so you have no choice but to go on foot."
"And sneak my way to the Trophy Room and retrieve Ron." Said Harry sighing with exasperation. "Sorry about this."
"No need, you shouldn't feel responsible for Ron's stupidity." Said Hermione as she stood up from her seat. "Come on then."
"Wait, where are you going?"
"I'm coming with you, you'll need help talking some sense through that thick skull of Ron's," said Hermione
"...alright, just be careful," said Harry reluctantly to the mousey haired girl, "I don't want you getting into trouble because of me."
"Don't worry, I know a spell that will help us," said Hermione as she swirls her wand over herself and she becomes transparent.
"Whoa, what was that?" said Harry in bewilderment
"A disillusionment spell, it can make you partially invisible in long ranges," said Hermione, "just don't get too close to anyone or the spell will break."
Harry nods while Hermione casts the same spell on him.
"Very convenient way to sneak about, eh?" said Harry
"I only learned it so to keep them annoying Slytherin Girls from pestering me," said Hermione "Parkinson and Bulstrode are a nightmare to ignore. Luckily, Greengrass was reasonable to send them away."
"Aye, glad to know that not all Slytherins are total prats," said Harry as he opens portrait to leave the common room.
"Don't let Ron hear you say that," Hermione joked. "He might think you belong to that House."
"I might, if Malfoy didn't deter me," said Harry
"So, the only reason you weren't sorted to Slytherin was because of Malfoy?" said Hermione
"I don't think it mattered which house I went to," said Harry. "But yes, Malfoy's the sole reason I ain't in Slytherin...then again, there are others like him in the house so it's off putting."
"Yeah, I agree," said Hermione as she and Harry starts to silently leave stealthily through the corridors of Gryffindor Tower and make their way to the Trophy Room in the Third Floor.
Third Floor: Trophy Room
Harry and Hermione made it to the Trophy Room and found Ron waiting by one of the trophy cabinets, tapping his foot impatiently and crossing his arms with his wand at hand. Hermione removes the spell from herself and Harry before they approach the redhead.
"Harry? What are you doing here?" said Ron until he turns to Hermione and starts to scowl. "Did you snitch on me?"
"No, but I would've since what you're doing is completely stupid." Hermione scolding Ron. "You do realise that you're breaking another of school rules being up this late, right?"
"I need to do this, since someone refuses to do it." Said Ron while he turns to Harry.
"Ron, you're not doing Gryffindor any favours by being gullible and risking expulsion from the school." Said Harry. "Malfoy was trying to toy with me by attacking my pride, and clearly it's working on you."
"Harry is right, Ron," said Hermione. "Draco has no true intention in challenging Harry to a duel, he's just trying to get him expelled."
"That's right," said Harry "If Malfoy wanted to wound the Gryffindor pride like that, my expulsion would be a complete blow in the house's morale which would guarantee Slytherin's next victory for the House Cup. So don't let that pale ferret win by taking the bait, just come with us and go back to the common room."
Ron is still conflicted, but what Harry said is true and sighs in defeat.
"Fine," said Ron as he puts his wand away, only for Harry to whack him on the back of the head. "Ow, what as that for?"
"For being stupid, and making me wake up this late," said Harry, "now come on, let's go before..."
Meow
Harry suddenly freezes when he saw by the doorway, a shabby old cat with red eyes sitting by and leers at the three students.
"What's that, my sweet?" said a voice from outside the doorway, "you spot someone?"
"Damn it, I knew this was a set-up," said Harry as he then drags Ron and Hermione and ran to the other doorway before someone approaches. "Run"
Ron and Hermione didn't think for a second and just let their legs move as they join Harry to escape.
"Malfoy must've tipped Filth off that we'd be here, now you see that Malfoy was lying."
"Yes, yes, I get it!" said Ron
"Harry, can't you just blink us back to the common room?" said Hermione.
"I can't concentrate at the moment," said Harry with annoyance, "I'm still annoyed with Ron when he just left the common room, when I explicated told him not to take the bait. Now I'm stressed up and it's affecting my powers!"
"So, this is my fault?" said Ron retorted back.
"Yes!" exclaimed both Harry and Hermione before they reached the end of the corridor and reached a closed door. Harry tries to open the door but it's locked.
"Damn it, it's locked!" Harry cursed
"Oh man!" Ron said with a trembling in his voice as he and the others are about to get caught. "We're finished."
"Oh, more over!" Hermione pushed Harry aside so she can focus on the door's lock. She pulls out her wand, waves it and said " Alohamora!" and the door unlocks. "Seriously, did any of you forgot about that spell?"
Harry and Ron said nothing as they opened the unlocked door and enters it before Filch and Mrs. Norris gets close. The grumpy old caretaker reached the end of the corridor and starts to see if he can see anyone breaking curfew.
"Do you see anyone, my sweet?" said Filch said to Mrs. Norris
Mrs. Norris only meowed while trying to look around and saw nothing before turning away, Filch grunted and starts to walk away so he can resume his patrols in the dark hallways of the castle. Unaware to the caretaker, the trio waits silently on the other side of the door and held their breath until they can't hear both Filch and his cat.
"That was close," said Ron, "I mean he didn't even bother opening up this door."
"And I think I know why," Harry said when he suddenly saw what's inside the room that it causes the others to freeze in fear from the sight of it.
What they saw is a large beast that resembles a Staffordshire bull terrier with dark fur and three heads, it is a Cerberus, a three headed dog which according to legends is to be the guardian of the gates of Hades. The beast was asleep, but when the three children entered the room, it caught a whiff of their scent and starts to wake up from its slumber. It starts to notice the three kids and growl at them. Ron and Hermione froze in terror at the thing but Harry rose his head with intrigue.
Harry starts to approach the beast slowly, which still growls at Harry and starts snapping it's fangs at the boy.
"Harry, what are you doing?" Hermione said in a loud whisper, loud enough for Harry to hear but quiet so not to alert Filch.
"It's alright, I confronted many beasts on my travels," said Harry when he starts to scratch the central head's lower jaw, which caused the beast to stop growling and instead groaning and whining in comfort like any happy dog. The Cerberus drops down and starts wagging it's tail while rolling on it's back so to expose it's belly. "Aw, aren't you a good dog, yes you are."
Harry gives the three-headed dog a belly rub, which the beast is enjoying quite much as it's left head gives Harry a large long lick.
"I'm sorry for waking you up," said Harry as he gives the dog's left head's right ear a scratch. "We'll leave you be so you can sleep again."
The dog takes a big whiff at Harry so that it can remember him and gives him one last lick before it gets himself comfortable.
"Nighty night," said Harry as he turns to the shocked Hermione and Ron. "Ready?"
They never answered, and they didn't need to as Harry finally calmed down after petting this giant three headed dog that he can use his Blink-Blink Fruit powers with no issue.
Common Room
As they blinked instantly in the common room, they immediately sat on the settees by the fireplace so that they can calm themselves after what they witnessed.
"What was Dumbledore thinking keeping that thing locked up in that room?" said Ron
"You didn't even look at the floor, did you?" said Hermione, "Didn't you see what it was standing on?"
"I wasn't looking at it's feet," Ron retorted at Hermione "I was too distracted on the amount of heads it's got. If you didn't notice, it has three!"
"It was standing on a trapdoor, meaning that it's not there by accident," said Hermione, "it's guarding something."
"Guarding something?" said Ron
"It makes sense, I mean it was in the place where we shouldn't" said Harry "I think we stumbled upon what Dumbledore mentioned in our first night here."
"You mean...that was the out of bounds chamber in the third floor?" said Hermione in realisation and gasped by this since she was the one who opened the door and entered that forbidden room. "The one we shouldn't go in if we don't want to suffer a most painful death?"
"That's right," said Harry, "Now we know Dumbledore wasn't exaggerating when he said that."
"How did we not notice?" said Ron, now pale from the fear that he was almost mauled by that dog.
"Well obviously we were running for our lives so that Filch doesn't catch us, Ron" said Harry annoyingly when he then turned to Ron. "Which shouldn't have happened by the way."
"I get it, I'm an idiot," said Ron with a sigh. "I shouldn't have let Malfoy get to me. I'm sorry."
"It'll take more than a sorry to clear that mess," said Hermione crossing her arms. "Just be better, stop reacting to his taunts and insults. He ain't worth it."
"Right," said Ron before he turns to Harry "Now I get why you said no when he challenged you, Harry. And at why you stopped me going at Snape after he took away the house points you earned."
"Glad to hear that you learned your lesson." Said Harry before smacking Ron on the head again. "But I don't forgive you for waking me up this late."
"I think we all need to go to bed before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed- or worse, expelled" said Hermione before she heads for the girls' dormitories.
"She really needs to sort out her priorities," said Ron, this caused Harry to scoff and heads off.
"You're one to talk," said Harry which made Ron groaned as he was reminded of what occurred tonight.
"Again, I'm sorry," Ron exclaimed as he follows Harry to the dorms.
"Don't be sorry, Ron." Said Harry as he, "just be better."
End of Chapter