I entered the Great Hall and strode over to the Ravenclaw table, finding Anthony and Lisa and sitting down in between them.
"What did Professor Flitwick want?" Anthony asked curiously, as I made myself a plate.
"Oh just wanted to check in and make sure I was doing well with all the classes I had to take, I told him I was. He also told me not to worry about Professor Trelawney's prediction." I said.
Anthony, and Lisa shared a look, then looked back to me. "Why?" Lisa asked.
I then explained to them what Professor Flitwick had said. About how Professor Trelawney always predicted someone was going to die, and how so far no one had, How Divination could be quite uncertain except for the most powerful seers.
After this, Lisa and Anthony both seemed to calm down as I had. "Well that's good news. So Harry should be fine." Anthony said, glancing over to the Gryffindor table.
Me and Lisa did as well. We saw Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Harry was of course still alive, but I did notice that Ron and Hermione seemed to be yelling at each other for some reason, with Harry being caught in the middle.
"What are they on about?" I asked.
Lisa shrugged. "Probably Crookshanks again. In any case we'll get to ask them after lunch, we all have Care of Magical Creatures."
At this I lit up. We had another class with Harry and instead of a brand new Professor we didn't know, we got to be the first students that Hagrid taught. The thought of this made me smile, and the only person at the table who seemed more excited was Morag.
"I've been waiting over two years for this moment." She said eagerly from slightly down the table from where she was talking to Mandy.
Soon enough all of us stood and made our way out of the hall. Luckily the only class I had this period was Care of Magical Creatures, so I didn't have to use my Time Turner. We joined up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the entrance hall. Though Instantly we felt tension in the air as Ron and Hermione were refusing to talk to each other.
So, when I got a chance. I turned to Anthony and Lisa. "I'm going to talk to Harry."
They nodded. "Go ahead." Anthony said, as I sped up to walk beside Harry.
"What happened?" I whispered to him, and he sighed.
"Ron and Hermione got into it during lunch. Hermione said Ron was foolish to take the Grim seriously, while Ron told Hermione she was only being like this because she didn't like being bad at something." Harry explained.
I frowned, sharing a quick glance at Hermione and Ron whom were walking slightly ahead of us. "What do you think then?" I asked softly.
"I'm not sure. I mean we did see that dog on Magnolia Crescent, but Professor McGonagall explained to us that Professor Trelawney has predicted the death of a student every year since she started teaching, and none have died yet."
"Professor Flitwick told me the same thing."
"What do you think?" Harry asked me, and I bit my bottom lip as I thought of a response.
"I think I'm somewhere in the middle." I answered softly. "I mean, if Trelawney has done this before, and has never been right. That means something. But also." I looked at Harry with a half amused, yet also half serious expression. "If there's something I've learned these last two year's, it's that you seem incapable of keeping yourself safe."
Harry frowned. "I don't ask for any of this danger, Sarah."
"Flying the Ford Angelica to school was your choise, helping Hagrid with Norbert our first year was another choise when I'm sure Hagrid does stuff like that all the time, you didn't have to..."
"Okay I get it." Harry huffed, and I smiled fondly.
"Just, be careful. I know I always say it, and you never listen but...just try. Please?. This year especially because of Black."
Harry was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I will try, but...you know how it goes."
"I guess that's all I can ask." I finished.
Harry gave me a soft smile, but this was short lived, as when we made the final approach to Hagrid's hut the trio of Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle, along with other Slytherin's like Pansy could be seen approaching the hut as well.
"Oh merlin, Not Malfoy." Harry muttered in annoyance.
I looked behind me to see Lisa and Anthony also had annoyed expressions on there faces, and in front of us I was sure Hermione and Ron were feeling the same. We could all see Draco speaking animatedly to Crabbe and Goyle, which I assumed had to be about Harry's fainting on the train.
Again, I still didn't fully understand why Draco didn't include me in his torment, but all I could do was hope to not upset him and for him to eventually become bored in Harry's case.
Another blow came is when I noticed a flash of yellow already standing at the hut and upon closer inspection Zacharias Smith was in this class, standing with a few of his fellow Hufflepuff's.
Merlin, both Smith and Malfoy in the same class. The only positives in the situation being that Draco and Smith didn't seem to get along either, Smith never actually tormented me when Harry was around, and of course that Hagrid was the Professor.
And everyone in the school knew Hagrid loved me and Harry to death.
We made the final approach to Hagrid's hut, now surrounded in a sea of Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green. I saw Mandy already down here looking excited as I'd ever seen her. Smith noticed me, subtilty glared, then turned away when he saw Harry.
Hagrid was standing at the foot of his huts door. He looked eager to begin, and behind him I noticed Feng
"C'mon, now, get a move on!" Hagrid called as the class finally assembled. "Got a real treat for yeh today! Great lesson comin' up! Everyone here? Right, follow me!"
The class began to follow Hagrid. As we walked I noticed Smith was totally ignoring my existence, which was fine by me. Draco on the other hand kept giving Harry smirks, and subtilty making more fainting motions, Crabbe and Goyle snickering along.
"Just ignore it." I whispered to him in a comforting manner.
"I'm trying." Harry replied, taking deep breaths, clearly doing his best not to let Draco get to him.
Hagrid meanwhile led the class towards the forbidden forest. For a moment I thought he was about to lead us into the Forbidden Forest, which is something I wouldn't put pass Hagrid, but luckily he just led us along the edge of the trees and soon enough the class was gathered around a small enclosure. Though for now, nothing could be seen.
"Everyone gather 'round the fence here!" Hagrid told the class. "That's it — make sure yeh can see — now, firs' thing yeh'll want ter do is open yer books —"
"How?" Draco interrupted suddenly, his voice cold.
And as much as I hated to admit it, he was right, I had no clue how to open the books.
"Eh?" Hagrid replied, turning to Draco and looking at him with a confused look.
"How do we open our books?" Draco repeated, taking out his copy of the The Monster Book of Monsters which he had bound shut with rope. We all did the same and took out our copies, everyone had bound there books together in different ways. Me and Harry having used belts, others using binder clips, and so forth.
"Hasn' — hasn' anyone bin able ter open their books?" Hagrid asked the class, his voice filled crestfallen.
They class shook there heads.
"No Hagrid." I said in a gentle tone. "I don't think any of us have been able to."
Hagrid looked at me in disappointment and worry, then again to the rest of the class."Yeh've got ter stroke 'em," Hagrid said, like it was simple and obvious. "Look —"
Hagrid took Hermione's copy, and tore off the Spellotape she has used to keep it closed. For a moment the book still seemed to want to bite, but when Hagrid gently rubbed the spine with his large finger it instantly calmed down, and rested in his hands open.
"Oh, how silly we've all been!" Sneered Draco. "We should have stroked them! Why didn't we guess!"
I gave Draco a glare. Despite so far having avoided making an enemy out of him, my love and respect for Hagrid was simply too great for me to stop myself. However Draco totally ignored me, instead simply choosing to continue to sneer at Hagrid.
"I — I thought they were funny," Hagrid told Hermione, doubt clear in his voice, as he tried to not let Draco's words get to him.
"Oh, tremendously funny!" Draco said, rolling his eyes. "Really witty, giving us books that try and rip our hands off!"
"Shut up, Malfoy," Harry barked, glaring daggers at Malfoy.
"Yeah." I added, surprising even myself with my sharp tone. "It's his first class. Have a little patience." I added, a prominent frown on my face.
For his part Draco and most of the class looked shocked I'd had the gall. I noticed Smith smirking in amusement behind everyone else. While after a moment Draco totally ignored Harry's statement and rolled his eyes.
"You know I'm right." Draco muttered, clearly directing the reply to me, then avoiding eye contact once again.
"Righ' then," Hagrid said, clearly trying to get the class back on track, "so — so yeh've got yer books an' — an' — now yeh need the Magical Creatures. Yeah. So I'll go an' get 'em. Hang on …"
Hagrid strode off into the forest and out of sight.
"God, this place is going to the dogs," Draco said loudly as soon as Hagrid was out of earshot. "That oaf teaching classes, my father'll have a fit when I tell him —"
"Shut up, Malfoy," Harry again barked.
"Don't speak of Hagrid in that way, ever." I told Draco in a dangerous tone, again surprising myself. Draco again looked taken aback by my comment, but again simply avoided looking at me and glared at Harry.
"Careful, Potter, there's a dementor behind you —" Draco spat, directing it clearly at Harry.
"Oooooooh!" Lavender Brown suddenly squealed from the other side of the enclosure, which stopped me from saying anything more to Draco and made me turn to see what Hagrid had in store.
In the enclosure now stood twelve creatures. There back legs, bodies, and tails were like a horses. But there front legs, and heads looked like a eagles, and on there backs were a massive pair of wings. They had massive beaks, deep orange eyes, and long sharp talons. Around the neck of each creature was a leash, which in turn was connected to a chain, and at the other end of these chains, Hagrid was keeping a firm grip. Who came running up from behind the creatures.
"Gee up, there!" Hagrid commanded the creatures, using the chains to slowly move the creatures towards the side of the Enclosure where the class was.
Despite there beauty the creatures did seem dangerous, given how they were looking at us. So as Hagrid tied the creatures to the gates, we all took a small step back.
"Hippogriffs!" Hagrid said happily, motioning to the creatures, love in his eyes."Beau'iful, aren' they?"
After getting over the initial shock and getting used to them, Hagrid was right. The Hippogriffs had beautiful coats of fur, that turned to feathers about halfway down there bodies. All of them were different colors, and some grey, some pink, bronze, and so on.
I noticed Morag was looking at them in awe and wonder. Most of the class looked interested, even Smith had stopped glaring at me to look at the Hippogriffs, a impressed look on his face. Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle didn't look so impressed however, all still wearing there cold gazes.
"So," Hagrid said, beaming at the class and rubbing his hands together "if yeh wan' ter come a bit nearer —"
No one did. I thought about it, but when I saw the looks on Anthony and Lisa's faces behind me glancing at the dagger like claws. I didn't. Though luckily Harry, Ron, and Hermione did what they do best, plunge head first into a situation, as they slowly approached. I could tell Morag wanted to, but was being held back by Mandy who told her to take off her Earrings first.
"Now, firs' thing yeh gotta know abou' hippogriffs is, they're proud," Hagrid told Harry, Ron, and Hermione while I walked over to Lisa and Anthony who were both holding there breath's nervously. "Easily offended, hippogriffs are. Don't never insult one, 'cause it might be the last thing yeh do."
At Hagrid's words I did grow slightly nervous. After all Hagrid did have a knack for thinking dangerous creatures were okay to be around. I also noticed that Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle had stopped paying attention, all of them snickering with each other under there breaths.
"If you don't pay attention, you're going to end up getting hurt." I told them. The trio turned to me, and though Crabbe and Goyle really looked like they wanted to hurl a insult at me, though Draco seemed to hold them back.
"Don't worry about me Potter. I'm fully capable of handling those monsters" Draco said cockily, smirking.
I bit my bottom lip, then sighed. "Whatever Draco. Just don't say I didn't warn you."
I turned my attention back to Hagrid as he continued to instruct Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Yeh always wait fer the hippogriff ter make the firs' move," Hagrid told the trio. "It's polite, see? Yeh walk toward him, and yeh bow, an' yeh wait. If he bows back, yeh're allowed ter touch him. If he doesn' bow, then get away from him sharpish, 'cause those talons hurt."
"Right — who wants ter go first?" Hagrid then asked, looking around the class for volunteers.
At the question most of the class began to back up. I shared another glance with Lisa and Anthony. While I would loved to have volunteered... I also knew Hagrid's definition of safe was far different from my own. So I chose not to, I at least wanted to see someone else interact with one of the Hippogriffs before I did. Especially with the way they seemed to hate being tied up.
It seemed everyone else was having the same thoughts as me. Only Morag seemed eager, and she was still being held back by a nervous looking Mandy. And Hagrid was looking increasingly desperate.
"No one?" Hagrid asked, giving the class a pleading look.
"I'll do it," Harry finally spoke.
At this Hagrid looked relieved, while from behind us, Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil both gasped.
"Oooh, no, Harry, remember your tea leaves!" The two whispered to Harry.
But Harry seem set as he stepped into the enclosure and towards Hagrid. I grit my teeth hoping Hagrid knew what he was doing. I noticed Smith was just looking at me in amusement, clearly enjoying me being stressed and worried. While Draco glanced at Harry, then me, then back at Harry. A unreadable expression on his face.
"Good man, Harry!" Hagrid roared in approval. "Right then — let's see how yeh get on with Buckbeak."
Hagrid untied one of the chains, then walked over to the grey Hippogriff. He led it away from the pack, undid it's collar, and began to lead it over to Harry. Draco looked at the scene with malicious, his eyes narrowing.
"Easy, now, Harry," Hagrid explained to Harry in a soft tone. "Yeh've got eye contact, now try not ter blink. … Hippogriffs don' trust yeh if yeh blink too much. …"
Harry was clearly nervous but didn't blink as he stared into the eyes of Buckbeak. At this point I realized I hadn't taken a breath and let a quick one out, silently hoping nothing happened to Harry.
"Tha's it," Hagrid told Harry "Tha's it, Harry … now, bow …"
Harry again did as Hagrid told. Bowing, then quickly looking up. Yet Buckbeak didn't do anything yet continue to stare at Harry with a haughty look. Clearly this made Hagrid nervous.
"Ah," Hagrid said. "Right — back away, now, Harry, easy does it —"
But before Hagrid could finish, Buckbeak suddenly sank to a bow. At this Hagrid looked very pleased and smiled at Harry.
"Well done, Harry!" Hagrid said happily. "Right — yeh can touch him! Pat his beak, go on!"
The class was still holding its breath as Harry slowly reached for Buckbeak's, beak. Finally he patted it a few times gently, and Buckbeak seemed to like the feeling as it's face now looked relaxed and content.
The entire class broke into applause, except of course Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle whom all looked disappointed. I was just about to relax again, when Hagrid kept going.
"Righ' then, Harry," Hagrid told him. "I reckon he might' let yeh ride him!"
At this my heart nearly stopped again. I thought the stress was over, but clearly Hagrid was serious about Harry riding Buckbeak. I noticed Harry was clearly nervous, but for Hagrid's sake he nodded. I again took a deep breath and started to silently pray nothing would happen.
"Yeh climb up there, jus' behind the wing joint," explained Hagrid, as he pointed when Harry could climb on, "an' mind yeh don' pull any of his feathers out, he won' like that. …"
Harry slowly climbed onto Buckbeak, as again the whole class began to hold it's breath. As soon as Harry was on, Buckbeak stood tall. Harry was looking around nervously, clearly trying to find something to grab onto.
"Go on, then!" Hagrid suddenly roared, slapping Buckbeak's behind as the Hippogriff spread it's wings. Harry barely had time to seize Buckbeak around the neck before the Hippogriff lifted off the ground and began to fly.
For the entire time that Buckbeak and Harry were in the air I held my breath. If he fell I would try and catch him, subtly grabbing my wand to cast a levitation charm if the worst should happen. Yet the worst never came, as after one lap around the enclosure, Buckbeak swooped back down and landed with a thump as Harry got off as quickly as he could.
"Good work, Harry!" Hagrid said, and once again everyone but Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle burst into applause, and I once again was able to breathe. Hagrid then turned to the rest of us. "Okay, who else wants a go?"
Due to Harry's success, the class all slowly stepped forward into the enclosure. Me, Anthony, and Lisa walking beside each other.
"Well this is going to be interesting." Lisa commented as Hagrid began to untie Hippogriffs one by one and pair them with groups of two or three. Ron and Hermione got the chestnut one, while me, Lisa, and Anthony got the inky black one.
I went first, then Anthony, and finally Lisa. We'd all been able to get the Hippogriff to bow to us, and let us pet it's beak. I noticed Morag was having the time with her life alongside Mandy with the pink Hippogriff.
I also realized that Hagrid had either deliberately, or by accident, put me, Anthony, and Lisa in between Ron and Hermione on one side, and Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle on the other.
Because of us being right next to them, while Anthony was petting the black one, Draco turned to me while petting Buckbeak.
"See, you didn't have to be so nervous Potter." Draco told me smugly. I simply raised an eyebrow.
"How about you pay attention to the Hippogriff Draco." I suggested, glancing at Buckbeak, then back at Draco.
Draco's smirk and bravado only grew at my words. "I'm not worried." Draco laughed confidently. "You shouldn't be either." He said, turning back to Buckbeak with a haughty expression on his face.
"This is very easy," Draco continued. Loud enough so Harry, who had simply started to watch the class, could hear. "I knew it must have been, if your brother..." Draco gave Harry a cocky look "...could do it. … I bet you're not dangerous at all, are you?" Draco said to Buckbeak "Are you, you great ugly brute?"
In a flash Buckbeak was on his hind legs swooping down, in another flash Draco was on the ground screaming in agony. He was one of his arms close to his chest, and I could see blood oozing from a deep gash along his arm, staining his sleeve. Hagrid quickly rushed over before Buckbeak could continue his assault, and was forcing the collar back onto him.
Draco was rolling around on the ground, screaming and wailing.
"I'm dying!" Draco yelled, and I noticed the rest of the class beginning to panic. "I'm dying, look at me! It's killed me!"
Around me I noticed Anthony, and Lisa's face's pale in worry, Morag's joy and excitement had come screeching to a halt as she turned to watch. Ron and Hermione's eyes both widened considerably, while I noticed Harry was gritting his teeth.
As for me, as I was watching and closest to the scene when it happened, I couldn't help but feel slightly nauseous at the sight of blood, and also couldn't help but be concerned. Even if Draco was a massive git to Harry, Ron, Hermione, and so many others, I would never wish harm on another.
My thought was interrupted as Hagrid easily picked up Draco, whom was still thrashing around.
"Yer not dyin'!" Hagrid told Draco, his face having paled much like Anthony and Lisa's "Someone help me — gotta get him outta here —"
Hermione raced to open the enclosure's cage for Hagrid, while I noticed that near where Draco had been slashed, his book bag was just sitting on the ground. Without thinking I grabbed it as Hagrid raced out of the enclosure, heading back towards the castle.
The class followed slowly behind. Most were silent though the Slytherin's were all railing against Hagrid.
"They should fire him straight away!" Pansy demanded, tears falling down her face.
"It was Malfoy's fault!" Dean Thomas snapped back, which made Crabbe and Goyle flex in a intimidating manner.
Outside of the typical Gryffindor, Slytherin back and forth, me and the other Ravenclaw's were mostly silent. I did overhear Morag ranting to Mandy in a whisper. How Draco was, quote on quote, "Being a idiot." and how he was stupid for. "Trying to show off."
Meanwhile Smith, and the other few Hufflepuff's hadn't said anything. Some looked shaken, Smith just glared at me and mouthed that "It should have been you." Which I promptly ignored, rolling my eyes. As soon as we stepped into the empty entrance hall, Pansy spoke.
"I'm going to see if he's okay!" She said, running up the marble staircase in the direction of the hospital wing.
Meanwhile the houses began to split off from one another. Smith gave me one last final, subtle glare, then he and the Hufflepuff's walked down the staircases which I assumed was towards there common room. The Slytherin's did the same as they in the directions towards the Dungeons, still muttering about Hagrid.
Morag stormed off, with Mandy following behind clearly trying to calm her down. This left just me, Anthony, Lisa, and the Gryffindor's
"See you guys at dinner." I told Harry. He, Ron, and Hermione nodded.
Me, Lisa, and Anthony silently strode up to the Ravenclaw common room. All of us lost in out own thoughts.
"Do you think Malfoy will be okay?" Anthony finally broke the silence as we entered the Ravenclaw common room,
"Who cares." Lisa replied, waving a dismissive hand as the three of us sat on one of the blue couches. "He had it coming, talking to Hagrid like he did, taunting Buckbeak, just him being a generally horrible person."
I bit my bottom lip. Again, while what Lisa was saying was all true, I still didn't want Draco maimed for it.
"Violence is never the answer." I finally spoke gently.
Lisa rolled her eyes. "When it comes to Malfoy it is."
I simply sighed, knowing Lisa despised Draco and wouldn't budge. So I changed the subject. "You guys think Hagrid will be okay? I mean it was his first class, and then that happens."
"I sure hope so." Anthony said, as he reached into his book bag. "It wasn't his fault Malfoy was being a idiot."
I slowly nodded, reaching for my own book bag to pull out something to read before dinner. "Let's just hope he gets better quickly and nothing happens to Hagrid...oh no." I said, as looked at inside cover of the book and saw the name Draco Malfoy written.
"What is it?" Anthony asked, turning to me with a raised eyebrow.
"I grabbed Draco's book bag when we were leaving the enclosure and still have it." I sighed. Holding both my book bag alongside his.
At this Lisa perked up. "Oh...oh yes." Lisa grinned. "Lets hide the gits books throughout the castle and make him go on a long, and hard, treasure hunt." Lisa said, trying to reach for the bag.
I pulled back. "Lisa, no." I scolded her, like a mom would a child.
"Come on." Lisa drawled. "It's Draco Malfoy, he deserves it."
"He's already in the hospital wing for his actions." I replied firmly. "Let's not pour oil on a burning flame."
Lisa pouted but relented, while Anthony frowned. "What are you going to do then?" He asked
"I'll just swing by the hospital wing after dinner." I replied simply.
At this Anthony nodded. "Yeah, sounds like the best thing you could do, don't want to give a already inflamed Malfoy a reason to go after you."
Both me and Anthony, satisfied with our course of action, turned to our own books. While Lisa gave one final, playful pout.
"I still think we should hide his books."
An hour passed of silent reading, once again me choosing to read another thick tome on Grindelwald.
As dinner approached we stood and made our way down to the Great Hall. To all of our worries Hagrid wasn't there. Draco wasn't either, something I expected. But at the Slytherin table you could see Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, and many other Slytherin's were huddled together and deep in conversation.
Clearly they all were still fumed about what had happened to Draco.
"You don't think he's been sacked, do you?" Lisa asked worriedly, as she glanced at the staff table.
"I sure hope not." I replied,
As soon as I finished eating, I stood.
"You going to give that back to Malfoy now?" Anthony confirmed.
"Yeah, you don't have to come, in fact in Lisa's case I would recommend not." I replied.
Lisa shrugged. "I hate him." She replied unapologetically.
Anthony looked at me, then Lisa, then back at me. "You sure?"
"Yeah, I'll meet you two in the common room." I assured them.
At this Anthony relented, as he and Lisa turned and headed in the direction of the Ravenclaw common room, while I made the familiar trek to the hospital wing. When I arrived I took a deep breath, then softly knocked.
Soon enough the familiar and stern looking Madam Pomfrey stood before me. "The dementors get to you again dear? Your brother do something foolish again? Need another pepper up potion?"
I had to inwardly resist the urge to roll my eyes. Clearly the women thought of me like I was a porcelain doll. Though now that she was laying it all out, I couldn't really blame her for thinking like that.
"No ma'am, I...is Draco still here?" I asked softly.
At this Madam Pomfrey's face darkened. "Yes. But he's not having visitors." She said firmly.
And I could tell from the tone in her voice that she didn't understand why I would visit in the first place.
"I'm not here to visit, It's just, he dropped his book bag when...everything happened. I wanted to return it to him." I explained, holding the book bag out to show her.
At my words Madam Pomfrey's usual stern face softened for a moment, and I could have sworn her mutter that I was "too kind like her mother", then sighed.
"Fine." Madam Pomfrey opened the door wider and let me into the Hospital Room. "He's over there." She pointed to a bed. "Make it quick, he still says he's in agony."
I could tell Madam Pomfrey didn't believe a word of it though.
I nodded and strode over to Draco, whom was now in pajamas and had a sling on. For a moment I thought he was asleep, and was going to simply place his book bag on his nightstand and leave without another word, but when he heard my footsteps his eyes snapped opened.
"Potter?" He asked, clearly surprised to see me. "What are you doing here?" He asked, confusion, and suspicion in his voice. But also not downright hostility.
"You dropped your book back down near the forest when you..." I looked down at his sling, "...I picked it up on instinct." I finished, clearly trying to convey I didn't steal it.
Draco looked at me for a long moment, studying me. Finally, he motioned to his night stand. "Put it there."
I did, then stepped back. I was about turn and walk away when Draco spoke again. "Well I suppose I should thank you."
I looked at him. "You don't have to thank me for basic, common, decency, Draco." I replied softly.
Draco looked bewildered, then scoffed. "So this isn't some trick? Turpin, or your brother haven't done anything to my books?"
I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "No Draco. Harry doesn't even know I had it. And while I admit Lisa wanted to hide your books from you, I shut that idea down as soon as she suggested it."
Draco's smirk faded, then he frowned, then finally shrugged. "Fine. I believe you."
"Good." I turned to leave. "I hope you get feeling better Draco." I said as I started to leave.
"Potter." His voice cut through the air. I stopped and turned.
"Yes?"
"Truly, thank you." He said, then looked away as if avoiding eye contact.
I didn't reply for a long moment, but from the tone in his voice he truly did seem thankful. So I nodded.
"You're welcome Draco." And with that I strode out of the hospital wing.
It was getting late, the sun was starting to set. There was maybe a hour before curfew. I had just entered the empty entrance hall, when I heard a voice.
"Sarah." Professor Lupin said, strolling towards me.
He looked a lot better than yesterday, his face was less pale, and he looked much more energetic. He was still wearing shabby looking clothes, while his face wore a kind, yet concerned look.
"Oh, hello Professor." I replied politely, and in the back of my mind I was still sure I'd heard his name somewhere before. And again I wondered how he had known my name?
Professor Lupin chuckled. "Polite as always I see, from what the rest of the staff have told me, you are quite the polite young women."
I outwardly smiled, but inwardly was confused. Why was Professor Lupin asking about me specifically? I couldn't help but remember Quirrell and Lockhart, both seemed nice too. And look what happened with both of them.
"I'm glad to here that Professor." I finally replied, trying to keep my internal doubts off my face.
"Anyways, I just wanted to check on you. I heard what happened in Professor Hagrid's class, that you were right there when Mr. Malfoy was hurt. Are you okay?"
Okay? Was I? One of my classmates had been hurt badly in front me me, and though I knew he would be okay I was still shaken. There was a lot of blood. And then there was Hagrid? Was he okay? Why wasn't he at dinner?
And why was a man I just met yesterday on the train being so friendly to me specifically? I mean, while he had saved us from the Dementors, I also remembered last year when Lockhart had healed Harry's broken arm last year.
Like Lockhart, had Lupin simply saved us in the short term so he could deliver me and Harry to You-Know-Who? I couldn't help but ask myself, given that our Defense Against the Dark Art's professor's were two for two in that category.
And where did I know his name from!?
"Sarah?" Professor Lupin's voice broke me out of my thoughts.
"Sorry sir, long day." I explained.
Lupin gave me a concerned, almost...fatherly? Look.
"I understand. Just know my office is always open to you." Lupin smiled. "If you need anything, anything at all, don't hesitate to ask."
I really wanted to believe him. My heart was telling me to trust the man, but my brain still told me not to make the same mistake as I had with Quirrell and Lockhart.
"Of course sir." I replied.
Lupin smiled. "I'll see you around Sarah." And with that Lupin strode off. Leaving me alone in the Entrance Hall. I was so conflicted I wanted to trust him, but given the history of the position...
More footsteps interrupted my thoughts, and this time I turned to see Harry, Ron, and Hermione. All of them looking like they often did when sneaking around. I raised a eyebrow.
"And where are you three going?" I asked just as they were about to make there way out onto the grounds.
The trio turned, and looked relieved when they saw it was just me.
"Hagrid's back. We saw the light from his hut on from our common room window. We just wanted to check on him." Harry explained.
At the thought of Hagrid my features instantly softened, and I walked over. "Can I come? I want to make sure he's all right."
Harry nodded. "Of course. Let's go."
So I joined the three Gryffindor's as we made our way down to Hagrid's hut. The sun was setting, and maybe only half a hour remained until curfew. Still, my desire to comfort and make sure Hagrid was okay overpowered my desire to follow any rule.
We reached Hagrid's hut, and Harry knocked.
"C'min." Hagrid's voice called, as we opened the door and entered his hut.
When we saw him it became abundantly clear that he had been drinking, a lot. He sat at his wooden table, Fang's head resting in his lap. On the table was a almost barrel sized pewter tankard, and it was clear Hagrid was having trouble focusing on us.
" 'Spect it's a record," Hagrid said when he realized it was us, his voice tired and upset. "Don' reckon they've ever had a teacher who lasted on'y a day before."
"You haven't been fired, Hagrid!" Hermione gasped.
"Not yet," Hagrid replied, misery in his tone, as he took another chug of whatever he was drinking.
"Aw, Hagrid." I said sadly. "Don't say that. Dumbledore will fight for you." I tried to assure him.
"He'll try, but after wha' happened today." Hagrid took another drink. "Doubt he can do much. 's only a matter o' time, i'n't it, after Malfoy …"
"How is he?" Ron asked as we all sat down. "It wasn't serious, was it?"
"Madam Pomfrey fixed him best she could," Hagrid replied in a dull voice, "but he's sayin' it's still agony … covered in bandages … moanin' …"
"He's faking it," Harry said instantly. "Madam Pomfrey can mend anything. She's tended to more gruesome Quidditch injuries than I can count. Trust Malfoy to milk it for all it's worth."
I decided not to mention that I just been to the hospital wing and saw Draco. It would only open more up a can of worms.
But as I thought back to seeing him, how he looked. He was hurt, but it was clear that he wasn't in the agony he claimed to be in.
"School gov'nors have bin told, o' course," Hagrid continued, his tone still thick with misery. "They reckon I started too big. Shoulda left hippogriffs fer later … done flobberworms or summat. … Jus' thought it'd make a good firs' lesson. … 'S all my fault. …"
"It's all Malfoy's fault, Hagrid!" Hermione said firmly.
"Yeah, he was clearly trying to show off." I added, thinking back to the moment. "It wasn't your fault."
"We're witnesses," Harry said. "You said hippogriffs attack if you insult them. It's Malfoy's problem that he wasn't listening. We'll tell Dumbledore what really happened."
"Yeah, don't worry, Hagrid, we'll back you up," finished Ron.
Tears began to crawl down Hagrid's cheeks and into his thick beard. He suddenly grabbed Ron and Harry, pulling them into a clearly painful hug, which only made me and Hermione share a amused, yet heartfelt look.
"I think you've had enough to drink, Hagrid," Hermione said firmly, grabbing the tankard and moving outside to empty it.
"Ar, maybe she's right," Hagrid replied, letting go of Harry and Ron who rubbed there ribs through gritted teeth. Hagrid then stood from his chair, and followed Hermione outside.
Soon, there was a loud splash. As me, Harry, and Ron shared a look, then turned to Hermione who came back inside with a empty tankard.
"What's he done?" Harry asked Hermione in a nervous tone.
"Stuck his head in the water barrel," Hermione replied, as she put the empty tankard away.
Hagrid came back inside, his hair and beard dripping with water as he wiped the water out of his eyes.
"Tha's better," He said, shaking his head as water flew everywhere, getting on us. "Listen, it was good of yeh ter come an' see me, I really —"
Then Hagrid paused, looking at me and Harry, his eyes slowly widening.
"WHAT D'YEH TWO THINK YOU'RE DOIN', EH?" Hagrid asked me and Harry in a roar, all of us jumping in the sudden change in demeanor. " NEITHER O' YEH'RE ARE TO GO WANDERIN' AROUND AFTER DARK, AN' YOU TWO! LETTIN' 'EM !"
Hagrid suddenly walked over, grabbed us both by a arm, then began to lead us to the door.
"C'mon!" Hagrid told us in a angry voice. "I'm takin' yer all back up ter school, an' don' let me catch yeh walkin' down ter see me after dark again. I'm not worth that!"
With that Hagrid began to pull me and Harry back to the castle, Ron and Hermione following close behind. All we could do was share bewildered looks.
Part of me wanted to tell Hagrid it was fine. That the Dementors surely were keeping Black away, and that it wasn't even curfew yet. But part of me also knew he was just being overly protective and I couldn't help but love him even more because of that.
Eventually he got us back up to the Entrance Hall, ordered us all to go back to our respective common rooms without delay, then turned and started back towards his hut.
With that I bid Harry and the others goodnight. And made my way back to the Ravenclaw common room.
After five classes, two times traveling backwards in time to make some of said classes, the prediction of Harry's death, Buckbeak attacking Draco, going to the hospital wing to return Draco's books, Lupin and his suspicious friendly and caring ways towards me, and finally Hagrid...I realized just how tired I was.
So after I answered the riddle and entered the Ravenclaw common room, I quickly told Lisa and Anthony what had happened at Hagrid's, then went off to my dorm. As soon as my back hit the bed, I quickly fell into a deep, and needed sleep.