CHAPTER 17: MALFOY'S MISCHIEF
Arriving at Hagrid's hut, Harry leaned against the wooden exterior, eavesdropping as Malfoy peered through the window before abruptly fleeing. Harry listened intently as the voices of the Golden Trio and Hagrid wafted through the air from within. Deciding subtlety was unnecessary, Harry discarded the cloak and rapped sharply on the door, concealing it just before Hagrid swung it open.
"Harry?" Hagrid greeted, surprise etched on his features. "What brings ya here?"
"I followed Malfoy," Harry explained bluntly. "He was snooping around your window, then scarpered off looking pleased as punch. It's got me worried—what did he see?"
"No... nothin'," Hagrid stammered, his discomfort palpable.
"Hagrid, Malfoy's onto something, and if he knows, it won't be long before everyone else does," Harry pressed. "You might as well tell me now before Malfoy starts boasting about it in the common room tomorrow."
Reluctantly, Hagrid relented, stepping aside to allow Harry entry. As Harry stepped into the warmth of the hut, he was met with the gaze of the trio, their expressions a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
"What are you doing here?" Adrian demanded, his tone accusatory.
"Knitting," Harry retorted dryly before his gaze landed on the small dragon perched on the table. "A dragon? Well, that's certainly unexpected."
"And what's your plan? To spill the beans to everyone?" Ron accused, his voice tinged with hostility.
"No, Malfoy saw it," Harry clarified, his gaze fixed on the small dragon. "Hagrid, why do you have a dragon? Last I checked, it's illegal to own one."
"He's just a baby," Hagrid argued defensively. "He can't do much harm."
"Hagrid, dragons are notorious for breathing fire, and you've brought it into a wooden hut that's known for its susceptibility to burning down," Harry pointed out. "And they grow quickly, so it won't be long before someone figures it out."
Hagrid's shoulders slumped, his resolve waning under Harry's logical reasoning. "Well... when you put it that way."
"Anyway," Harry continued, shifting his focus to the dragon, "we need to find a way to get this dragon out of here."
"What? You're helping us?" Adrian interjected, surprised by Harry's sudden willingness to assist.
"Yes," Harry affirmed, his attention still on the dragon. "But not for your sake. If Malfoy spills the beans, Hagrid, you'll be in trouble, and I have no qualms about protecting you."
"Thank you," Hagrid murmured gratefully.
"No problem," Harry replied with a shrug. "And if foiling Malfoy's plan annoys him, well, that's just an added bonus. Impressive dragon, Hagrid."
"It's a Norwegian Ridgeback," Hagrid boasted proudly.
"Hmm," Harry mused, his mind already formulating a plan. "Alright, I'll take care of it for you."
"Are you sure you can handle it?" Ron interjected, concern coloring his tone.
"I'll handle it," Harry assured him confidently.
"Handle it?!" Hermione gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"I won't kill it," Harry snapped firmly before addressing the dragon directly. "Come on, you're coming with me."
The small dragon regarded Harry with wary eyes, its instinctual response to breathe fire palpable in the tense silence that followed. But to everyone's surprise, instead of aggression, the dragon inched forward slowly, nuzzling against Harry's outstretched hand. With a gentle touch, Harry coaxed the creature onto his shoulder, its compliance astonishing those gathered around.
"Say your goodbyes, Hagrid," Harry instructed, his tone resolute.
"Goodbye? You're taking him away from me?!" Hagrid exclaimed, his distress evident.
"Either he comes with me, or someone less kind will take him," Harry reasoned firmly. "But I promise, I'll ensure he's safe."
"But..." Hagrid faltered, torn between his attachment to the dragon and his trust in Harry.
"Hagrid, trust me," Harry implored earnestly. "I'll take him to a safe place, I swear it."
With a heavy heart, Hagrid bid farewell to the dragon, his large hand gently stroking its scaled head. "Goodbye, Norbert. I'll miss you, lad."
"He'll miss you too," Harry assured him before turning to the others. "It's best you leave before Draco brings a teacher here. He's likely already alerted someone, so be cautious on your way back."
As Harry opened the door of the hut, preparing to depart, Adrian rose to his feet, his curiosity piqued. "Wait, what are you going to do with him?"
"I'm taking him to a safe place," Harry replied simply.
"But how?" Adrian pressed, his brow furrowed with uncertainty.
"Well, brother," Harry grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "you should focus on returning without getting caught. And if you do get caught, don't even think about mentioning my involvement, because if you do, I'll make sure you regret it for the rest of your days."
With the ominous warning lingering in the air, the trio bid a hurried farewell to Hagrid and hastened their departure from the hut. As they ventured back towards the school, rain began to pour, drenching them thoroughly. They trudged through the corridor, their minds preoccupied with thoughts of the dragon and the potential repercussions of their adventure.
Their progress was abruptly halted by the appearance of Professor McGonagall, flanked by a smug-looking Malfoy. The Slytherin's smirk widened as he observed their bedraggled state, a sense of triumph evident in his demeanor.
"Mr. Malfoy," Professor McGonagall addressed sternly, her gaze flickering between the wet trio and the smirking Slytherin, "care to explain why you and Mr. Potter's friends are in such a state?"
Malfoy's smirk grew even wider as he seized the opportunity to cast blame. "Professor, we caught them sneaking around Hagrid's hut! They were up to something, I'm sure of it."
Professor McGonagall's expression hardened as she turned her attention to Harry's friends. "Is this true?"
Adrian exchanged a quick glance with Hermione and Ron before responding cautiously, "We were just... taking a walk, Professor. The rain caught us off guard."
"Is that so?" Professor McGonagall's tone was skeptical as she regarded them with a penetrating gaze. "And what about you, Mr. Potter?"
Harry, who had been standing silently beside them, raised an eyebrow in feigned innocence. "I was just trying to stay dry, Professor. I stumbled upon them by chance."
Professor McGonagall's gaze narrowed, clearly unconvinced by Harry's explanation. "Very well. I expect you all to return to your common rooms immediately. And Mr. Potter, a word in my office after dinner."
As the trio nodded and hastily retreated, Malfoy's smirk widened, knowing he had succeeded in sowing seeds of doubt and suspicion. Harry watched him go, his expression unreadable, his mind already strategizing his next move.
As Harry, Daphne, and Tracy sat together at breakfast, their conversation flowed easily until the arrival of the Golden Trio. The room seemed to hush in their presence, with Gryffindors either staring or pointedly avoiding eye contact. Harry had a sinking feeling he knew the reason behind the sudden tension.
Then, to their surprise, Draco Malfoy entered, his usual air of superiority replaced by a palpable aura of anger.
"Hey, guys, have you heard the news?" Tracy whispered conspiratorially.
"What?" Harry and Daphne replied simultaneously, curiosity piqued.
"Apparently, Gryffindor lost 150 points yesterday," Tracy divulged, a smirk playing on her lips.
"How do you know that?" Daphne inquired, eyebrows raised in skepticism.
"I have my ways," Tracy replied mysteriously, relishing in the intrigue. "But yes, the Golden Trio got caught after curfew and incurred the wrath of McGonagall. That's probably why they're getting the cold shoulder from their fellow lions. Oh, and apparently, Malfoy had a hand in it too."
"Seriously, how do you know all this?" Harry interjected, his skepticism evident.
"It's a secret," Tracy teased, flashing a mischievous grin. "But yes, Malfoy managed to score Slytherin a fifty-point deduction by ratting out the Gryffindors for breaking curfew."
"Is that all?" Harry quipped sarcastically. "Well, Malfoy truly outdid himself. Staying up past curfew just to tattle on someone else breaking curfew is the height of hypocrisy."
"Yeah, but it's Malfoy," Daphne chimed in. "I doubt he even knows the meaning of the word 'hypocritical.'"
"True, but I'm not so sure Tracy does either," Harry retorted with a smirk.
"I can too spell 'hypocritical'!" Tracy protested indignantly.
"Prove it," Daphne challenged, a playful glint in her eye.
"Fine," Tracy replied with determination. "H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-I-C-A-L."
"Oh!" Harry exclaimed with mock surprise. "Close, but no cigar."
"I hate both of you," Tracy grumbled good-naturedly, though a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"No, you don't," Daphne rebutted, shaking her head as she and Harry resumed their breakfast. "What do you think their punishment will entail? Writing lines, perhaps?"
Harry shrugged nonchalantly. "Who knows? Maybe old Filch will finally get his wish and hang them by their thumbs in the dungeons. Or perhaps the school will unleash Snape on them and subject them to one of his infamous potions."
Tracy's eyes lit up with mischief as she interjected, "What if they have to do something absolutely outrageous? Like cleaning the Slytherin common room and tending to the three-headed dog they apparently have in the corridor on the third floor."
Harry and Daphne exchanged incredulous glances, both silently questioning how Tracy had obtained such specific information. Wisely, they opted not to voice their curiosity.
"Or," Tracy continued with unabashed enthusiasm, "maybe they'll be tasked with venturing into the Forbidden Forest or something equally daring."
"Daphne," Harry chimed in, a devilish glint in his eyes, "while the people here may be a tad eccentric, it's highly improbable that they'd send students into the Forbidden Forest."
"I suppose you're right," Daphne conceded with a small chuckle. "As tempting as it might be to imagine such a scenario."
Harry's smile widened, a hint of sadistic satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Well, a boy can dream, can't he? If there's any justice in the world, perhaps it'll grant me this small favor."
As they bantered over the possible punishments awaiting the Golden Trio, the breakfast chatter around them continued, punctuated by the occasional clatter of dishes and snippets of conversation. Despite the gravity of the situation, Harry, Daphne, and Tracy found themselves enjoying the diversionary exchange.
"Speaking of justice," Tracy interjected, her eyes sparkling with mischief, "imagine if they were tasked with cleaning out the Giant Squid's tank in the lake. Now that would be a sight to behold."
Harry chuckled at the mental image. "Or what if they had to serve detention with Hagrid? Dealing with Blast-Ended Skrewts or wrangling a Hippogriff might teach them a thing or two."
"Perhaps," Daphne mused, her gaze drifting thoughtfully, "they'll have to organize Professor Binns' ghostly notes or scrub the castle's floors until they shine like mirrors."
The trio's imaginations ran wild with possibilities, each suggestion more outlandish than the last. For a brief moment, they relished in the absurdity of it all, finding solace in the lighthearted banter amidst the tension that lingered in the air.
As they continued to speculate about the potential fates of the Golden Trio, their laughter mingled with the ambient sounds of the Great Hall, temporarily easing the weight of the recent events. And for that fleeting moment, amidst the uncertainty and upheaval, they found a semblance of camaraderie and amusement, bound together by shared mischief and the anticipation of what the future might hold.
Adrian Potter found himself in a predicament he never imagined—trudging through the Forbidden Forest alongside Hermione, Ron, and the bane of his existence, Malfoy. How had he ended up here, among the shadows and tangled undergrowth, when he could have been serving detention in the safety of Hogwarts' corridors?
To compound his frustration, fate had cruelly paired him with Malfoy as they split up for their assigned tasks. Despite bringing along Fang, Hagrid's loyal but seemingly ineffectual dog, Adrian couldn't shake the feeling of dread that permeated the air.
"I can't believe this," Malfoy whined, his voice dripping with disdain. "This is servant's work."
Adrian rolled his eyes, unable to contain his irritation. "And I can't believe I have to endure your company. I'm the Boy Who Lived, for Merlin's sake—I shouldn't be traipsing through this forest with a junior Death Eater like you."
"Ha! As if I would relish your company," Malfoy scoffed. "Why would I want to be paired with an arrogant half-blood like you?"
"Arrogant? I may be a half-blood, but I'm still twice the wizard you'll ever be," Adrian shot back, his tone laced with defiance.
"Please, that mudblood is better than you," Malfoy sneered, his words dripping with contempt.
"Don't you dare call her that!" Adrian's voice crackled with anger, his fists clenched in frustration.
"Or what? Are you going to run to Dumbledore or your precious brother?" Malfoy taunted, his smirk widening with malicious glee.
"As if I need Dumbledore to deal with you," Adrian retorted, his voice brimming with righteous indignation. "And why would I run to Harry?"
"Your brother is the only one who annoys me more than you," Malfoy spat venomously. "He stole my rightful place as Prince of Slytherin, and he stole Daphne Greengrass from me."
Adrian's brow furrowed in surprise. "Daphne Greengrass? I don't blame my brother—she's not that bad. Shame she's a Slytherin. If she wasn't, I might consider asking her out."
"You? Don't make me laugh," Malfoy scoffed derisively. "You're the only choice worse than your brother. At least he has some intelligence."
Their exchange was abruptly interrupted by a rustling in the bushes nearby, sending a shiver down Adrian's spine.
"What did you hear?!" demanded Malfoy, his bravado faltering in the face of uncertainty.
"Quiet," Adrian murmured, gesturing for Draco and Fang to proceed cautiously behind him. The trio advanced slowly through the dense forest, their senses on high alert. Their footsteps barely made a sound against the forest floor, but the rhythmic thud of their hearts seemed to echo in their ears.
As they rounded a bend, their eyes widened in shock at the sight before them: a majestic unicorn lay sprawled on the ground, its pure white coat stained crimson with blood. A hooded figure crouched beside it, greedily drinking from the wound with a sickening slurp.
Draco let out a strangled cry and bolted, Fang hot on his heels. But Adrian, the Boy Who Lived, hesitated only momentarily before steeling himself. He couldn't flee; he had to stand his ground.
With trembling hands, Adrian reached for his wand, only to realize with a sinking feeling that he hadn't yet mastered any offensive spells. Panic surged through him, and he made a split-second decision to retreat. But before he could even take a step, his foot caught on a root, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Heart pounding, Adrian looked up to see the hooded figure gliding towards him, its movements sinuous and predatory. Fear clenched his chest; this couldn't be how it ended. He was meant for something greater, wasn't he?
Just as the figure loomed over him, ready to strike, a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness and launched itself at the hooded figure with ferocious intensity. Adrian could only watch in awe and horror as the two figures engaged in a vicious battle.
The hooded figure, wielding a wand with deadly precision, countered each blow from the mysterious assailant. But the man with glowing yellow eyes fought with a primal fury, his attacks relentless and unforgiving.
Spells flew through the air, lighting up the night with bursts of magical energy. Adrian could scarcely follow the chaotic exchange, his heart pounding in his ears.
Then, a sudden interruption— the thunderous sound of hooves approaching. Adrian turned to see a centaur emerge from the shadows, its eyes grave as it regarded him.
"Who... who are you?" Adrian stammered, his voice barely a whisper amidst the chaos unfolding around him.
"I am Firenze," he introduced himself calmly, his voice resonating with a sense of wisdom and authority. "And who might you be?" he inquired, his gaze shifting to the man with the yellow eyes.
The man's response was curt. "Doesn't matter," he muttered, turning to leave without another word.
"Wait!" Adrian's voice cut through the tense air, filled with a mix of curiosity and desperation. "Why did you intervene? And who are you?" he pressed, his eyes searching for answers amidst the darkness.
The man paused, his back still turned. "No need for you to know," he replied, his tone laced with a hint of irritation. "Just be grateful and stay out of trouble."
Just then, the rustling of underbrush announced the arrival of Hagrid, along with Ron, Hermione, and Draco. Hagrid's eyes narrowed as he caught sight of the mysterious man, his crossbow trained on him. "Who in blazes are you?" he demanded, his voice gruff with suspicion.
"Firenze here helped young Potter," the man interjected before Hagrid could press further. "And he scared off the creature that was preying on the unicorns."
Hagrid hesitated, his gaze flickering between the man and Firenze, but he didn't lower his weapon. "Your name?" he repeated, his tone demanding an answer.
But the man seemed uninterested in further conversation. "Time to go," he muttered, turning to leave once more.
"Hey!" Hagrid called out, his voice booming through the clearing. "Stop right there!"
The man paused, turning back to face them with an air of indifference. "Shoot if you must," he said coolly, "but remember, there are children present."
Hagrid hesitated, his grip tightening on the crossbow. "What do you mean by that?"
The man's lips curved into a chilling smirk. "It means," he replied slowly, "that if you choose to engage, I'll have to respond in kind. But let's not spoil the fun, shall we? Goodbye." With a flick of his wand, he cast a blinding spell, leaving them momentarily disoriented.
Hagrid reacted instinctively, loosing a bolt in the direction of the man's voice, hoping to deter him. But by the time their vision cleared, the mysterious figure had vanished into the night, leaving behind only a lingering sense of unease.
As their vision gradually cleared, the group took stock of their surroundings. They were relieved to find themselves unharmed, albeit shaken by the encounter. Firenze stood stoically nearby, a reassuring presence amidst the chaos, while the lifeless form of the unicorn served as a grim reminder of the recent danger.
But amidst the relief, one unsettling fact remained: the mysterious man with the yellow eyes had vanished without a trace. Hagrid's arrow, embedded firmly in a nearby tree, served as a stark reminder of their failed attempt to detain him.
Adrian's mind buzzed with questions, each one more pressing than the last. Who was this hooded figure, and what dark purpose had brought him to the Forbidden Forest at night? And who was the enigmatic man with the piercing yellow eyes—was he friend or foe?
The weight of uncertainty pressed down on Adrian's shoulders as he grappled with the unanswered questions. Why had the man chosen to intervene, and how had he known Adrian was in danger? And perhaps most unnerving of all, what did those eerie yellow eyes signify?
As the group exchanged uneasy glances, Adrian realized that the events of the night had left more questions than answers. With a heavy heart, he knew that unraveling the mysteries of the Forbidden Forest would require courage, determination, and above all, an unwavering resolve to confront the darkness that lurked within.
As the group lingered in the aftermath of the encounter, uncertainty hung thick in the air like a heavy fog. Adrian could feel the weight of everyone's apprehension pressing in on him, a tangible reminder of the lingering danger that lurked just beyond the forest's edge.
Hagrid grumbled under his breath, frustration evident in every line of his weathered face as he retrieved his arrow from the tree. "Blasted nuisance," he muttered, his voice thick with irritation. "Vanishes into thin air, he does."
Ron and Hermione exchanged wary glances, their expressions mirroring Adrian's own unease. "What do you think he wanted?" Ron ventured, his voice hushed with trepidation.
Hermione frowned, her brow furrowing in thought. "It's hard to say," she replied, her tone reflective. "But there's no denying that he knew more than he let on. And those yellow eyes..." She trailed off, unable to hide the shiver that ran down her spine at the memory.
Draco remained uncharacteristically silent, his usually sharp tongue held in check by the gravity of the situation. His gaze darted nervously between his companions, searching for reassurance in their faces but finding none.
Firenze regarded them all with a serene expression, his wise eyes betraying none of the turmoil that churned within the group. "The mysteries of the forest run deep," he intoned, his voice carrying the weight of ages past. "But fear not, young ones. Together, we shall uncover the truth."
Adrian drew a steadying breath, his resolve hardening with each passing moment. Whatever lay ahead, he knew that he couldn't face it alone. With the support of his friends and allies, he would confront the darkness head-on, determined to unravel its secrets and emerge victorious against all odds.
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