Brooklyn himself had hoped he would not have to encounter that Malloy brat again but after meeting Snape earlier; he was convinced now that Snape had been even worse.
But for Harry, he felt like he was screwed when him and Brooklyn looked up at the class notice board and saw that flying lessons will begin soon, and they would be with the Slytherins.
Inside, the red gargoyle always feared of his brother flying on something like a stick without him, at first not wanting him to be in that flying lesson while Harry folded his arms. "Typical. Just what I always wanted; to make a fool of myself on a broomstick in front of Malfoy." He grumbled.
Ron wound up counteracting his statement before Brooklyn as he said "You don't know that you'll make a fool of yourself. Anyway, I know Malfoy's always going on about how good he is at Quidditch, but I bet that's all talk."
However, Brooklyn had one more thing to say to his brother. "I'm going to be there for your first lesson since flying on just... a broom seems a bit too well..." He muttered, voice trailing off until Harry took his hand. "Hey, listen. If I survived as a baby from a madman killing me, then I can handle a flying lesson. Please don't try worrying for me so much while we're here, ok?"
Eventually Brooklyn winds up nodding reluctantly as Tuesday and Wednesday rolled by and surprisingly, the two brothers found themselves buried in a book called Quidditch through the Ages which Harry got from the library.
"We can read this to ensure I'm safe, how about that?" Harry had said, which had Brooklyn agreeing to. The book had been a really interesting read.
One thing that had kept happening too though is that both Hedwig and Wyvern still haven't brought Harry or Brooklyn anything which Malfoy had taken advantage of, Brooklyn glaring from the Gryffindor table when seeing Malfoy's owl delivering a lot of sweets.
Neville across from him had opened up his package from his grandmother, which was a strange glass sphere with a golden ring around it, white smoke inside it.
He showed it off to everybody when Brooklyn asked what it was. "It's a Remembrall, Brook. Gran knows I forget things. Tells you if there's something you've forgotten to do. Look, you hold it like this." He grips it in a certain way. "And if it turns red—oh..."
Brooklyn saw the white smoke begin turning into a bright shade of red, making Neville frown, trying to remember what he had supposedly forgotten. But then Malfoy had to ruin the moment by snatching Neville's Remembrall out of his hand.
Both Harry and Brooklyn along with Ron stood up sharply as Malfoy gave them all little sneers. Brooklyn's fangs bared, ready to teach the brat a lesson until McGonagall showed up. "What's going on here?"
Neville bravely spoke up. "Malfoy's got my Remembrall, professor." He said timidly. It caused Malfoy to tense from the accusation and look McGonagall was giving him before dropping the Remembrall lightly onto the table with a scowl. "Just looking." He grumbled, giving Brooklyn the evil eye before he left.
When McGonagall went to patrol more, Brooklyn sat down, his face still rather heated up from that Malfoy boy. "I just-just want to..." He hissed, feeling Harry take his hand gently.
"Don't let Malfoy get into your head. We at least got the flying lessons this afternoon. You can just focus on making sure I'm ok out there, but not too much." He winks mischievously at Brooklyn who nudges Harry back.
...
Around 3:30, Brooklyn walked alongside Harry and Ron with their classmates down to the school ground for the flying lessons.
Brooklyn's heart thudded, hoping this flying lesson will be a success. He could see rows of brooms lying down on the grass which looked rather old and tattered since they were school brooms, swallowing. He stood off to the side, watching the Gryffindors line up near their brooms facing the Slytherins.
The teacher was a rather stiff witch with gray hair and yellow hawk like eyes. "Well, what are you all waiting for class? Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on now, hurry up!" She barked.
Brooklyn saw Harry look down in disdain at the broom below, hoping inside it wasn't a faulty one. "Stick your right hand over the broom and say up!" Hooch then ordered.
"UP!" All the students exclaimed, Brooklyn's eyes widening in awe as some of the brooms went instantly into their owners hands. But he saw with Hermione that her broom just rolled lazily on the ground as if sensing her discomfort about flying. Harry had managed to pull it off though.
Once every student managed to get their brooms, Hooch had used her own to show an easy take off and landing procedure as well as adjusting their grips. Brooklyn got himself a kick out of watching Hooch telling off Malfoy he had been flying on a broom wrong. Served him right.
"Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard. Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle, three, two," Hooch said.
But before she could blow her whistle, Brooklyn froze up from the sight of Neville already from his fear pushing off from the ground, letting out whimpers of fear. His broom went out of control, even spinning in mid air.
"Come back, boy!" Hooch shouted, not even getting on her own broom to save him. Having enough, Brooklyn climbed up the wall, taking off into the air after Neville.
"Look!" One of the Gryffindors pointed, Harry's eyes widening at the sight of his own brother going for the rescue. Even Madam Hooch was startled.
Brooklyn gritted his fangs while trying his best to get in a good position to catch Neville. The broom almost shot up twenty feet before finally Brooklyn grasped the poor boy off the broom by under his arm pits before he fell, Neville gripping his arm with all his might.
The red gargoyle landed Neville safely down to the ground, who just sat there on the grass, panting heavily but whimpering "Thank you" to Brooklyn who simply shrugged, telling him to be a bit more careful.
Madam Hooch had given Brooklyn a nod of approval before taking Neville to the hospital. "Watch them for me, and ensure they don't do any underage flying." She said, giving them all the look of authority.
Brook nods, folding his arms, hoping Neville will be ok while turning his eyes to the rest of the students.
However, a certain blonde brat had to spoil the moment while the Gryffindors went up to praise Brooklyn for his heroics, which made him feel awkward from getting this much attention.
"Did you see his face, the great lump?" Sneered Malfoy, making Brooklyn glower again.
"He could've hurt himself badly if I hadn't jumped in!" Brooklyn declared back, pointing at Malfoy in his anger who simply smiled, showing off his smug face while another Slytherin girl with a rather hardened face named Pansy Parkinson added in her own taunts. "Big monster gotta soft spot for Longbottom?" She sneered.
That was when to Brooklyn's shock and fury, he saw Malfoy pick up the Remembrall forgotten on the grass. "Look! It's that stupid thing Longbottom's gran sent him."
Harry this time made his move, stepping forward bravely. "Give that here, Malfoy." He said in a quiet but angry tone, which made Brooklyn grin from how his younger brother was able to face this bully.
Malfoy though just kept up his nasty smile. "I think I'll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find. How about... up a tree?"
Brook's wings flared out. "Give that to us right now, or else I'll get you in trouble with Madam Hooch!" He hissed, Malfoy instantly getting on his broom from that, soaring into the air.
The red gargoyle's blood boiled, hands clenched, his talons digging into his palms until to his shock; Harry had managed to get onto his broom, soaring up after Malfoy, and amazingly; his brother, who had no knowledge of the Wizarding World until this past summer, could fly really well even when Hermione tried arguing at him not to do it.
"Come and get it, Potter!" Malfoy taunted, soaring out of the way with Harry glaring hard, flying about the field, diving down towards Malfoy which caused a few people below to cheer. "No Crabbe and Goyle up here to save your neck, Malfoy!" He taunted out, making Brooklyn smirk.
However, Malfoy then did something that caused his eyes to glow bright from his anger. "Catch it if you can then!" He shouted, tossing the Remembrall high into the air.
Harry, gasping, zipped towards the Remembrall, diving down again, hand reaching out. Brooklyn's body was really tensed up, ready to grab his brother if he had to. But to his shock; Harry somehow grasped the Remembrall in his right hand, some of the other kids screaming in disbelief.
How'd he do that?Brooklyn asked himself, staring, as Harry landed, grasping the Remembrall tight in his fist.
The kids all gathered around Harry to praise him, Brooklyn walking up to Harry, a little smile showing up on his beak, Harry shrugging sheepishly. "Did what I had to do."
"HARRY POTTER!" A voice shouted out, making Harry and Brooklyn both jump.
It was Professor McGonagall, much to Brooklyn's despair, his ears flattening and wings lowering. McGonagall strode forward in a quick run, her face just as speechless as Brooklyn's. "How dare you... might have broken your neck...!"
Brooklyn held up his hand. "I was here to make sure he didn't Professor—." He tried but was silenced.
Ron also tried to come to Harry's defense but McGonagall wouldn't hear any of it. "Potter, Brooklyn, follow me. Now."
The two brothers looked at one another in fear, following her in her wake, the taunting gazes of Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle following as well.
What if Harry's expelled? What if I am taken away from him? Brook thought to himself in fear, worrying that he was going to be stripped of his protection rights for his brother while still walking near McGonagall until they eventually reached what looked like the classroom for Charms.
She knocked on the door, opening it. "Excuse me, Professor Flitwick, could I borrow Wood for a moment?" McGonagall asked.
The little wizard nodded, Brooklyn instinctively taking Harry's hand. Was she about to beat him?
But all that came out was a burly looking fifth year old teen boy, face rather confused but curious about the gargoyle with them too, Brooklyn smiling nervously as McGonagall went to take the three now to an abandoned classroom with the exception of Peeves who was writing rude words on the blackboard that Brooklyn himself wouldn't dare speak out loud. Goliath and Hudson definitely wouldn't approve.
"Out, Peeves!" McGonagall barked, as the poltergeist zipped out, cursing under his breath.
Slamming the door shut, she turned to the two boys and gargoyle. "Potter, Brooklyn, this is Oliver Wood." Suddenly, a rare smile graced her face. "Wood, I have found you a Seeker."
Brooklyn blinked, wondering that meant until he realized... Quidditch. Oh no...
He saw Oliver's face light up in excitement. "Are you serious, Professor?"
McGonagall nodded stiffly. "Absolutely. The boy's a natural. I've never seen anything like it. Was this your first time on a broomstick Potter?"
Brooklyn's eyes went to Harry who had nodded in a shy way, also not knowing what is going on. He decided to try speaking up about it. "Professor, I-I don't know if that's a good idea. He's just 11, playing among fifth and sixth year students. I don't want him to get hurt!" He tried to say.
However McGonagall put a hand on his shoulder. "I am pleased of your protection of Potter, young one. But this could be a big opportunity for him. We will ensure he is protected as much as possible during matches that won't disrupt game rules."
The red male swallowed, looking down at his brother before eventually giving in. Inside, he really did kind of want to see what Harry could do in something like this. "Alright."
Nodding at Brooklyn McGonagall continued. "Wood's captain of the Gryffindor team." She introduced, Oliver grinning in Brooklyn's direction, who started looking over Harry's form too.
"He's just the build for a Seeker, too. Light, speedy. We'll have to give him a decent broom, Professor. A Nimbus Two Thousand or a Cleansweep Seven, I'd say." Oliver said, his voice growing too excited.
McGonagall seemed to approve. "I shall speak to Professor Dumbledore and see if we can't bend the first year rule. Heaven knows we need a better team than last year. Flattened in that last match by Slytherin. I couldn't look Severus Snape in the face for weeks."
Just from hearing that, Brooklyn now knew he wanted to punch those Slytherins in the face. He grinned, imagining Harry beating their pants off now. "I want to hear you're training hard, Potter. Or I may change my mind about punishing you." McGonagall said, before her eyes suddenly matched her smile. "Your father was an excellent Quidditch player himself."
Harry's jaw dropped, as did Brooklyn's beak. "You're joking!" They both said in unison, Brooklyn finding himself learning more about Harry's birth parents even more in this world, looking forward to learning more about Quidditch now.
...
Later that evening at dinner, Brooklyn found himself munching on some chicken legs with Harry who ate a steak and kidney pie, while Ron was rather jealous looking after hearing the news about Harry joining the team.
"Seeker? But first years never make the house teams! You must be the youngest house player in about—!"
"—A century." Harry said, his mouth full. "At least what that Wood guy says." Brooklyn adds while drinking pumpkin juice which wasn't half bad.
As Harry says he was going to start training next week, Brooklyn just happened to see the twins Fred and George arrive. "Well done, Wood told us. We're on the team too. Beaters."
Brooklyn stared at them, rather impressed. "You guys can really be serious about being on a Quidditch team?"
George looked at him like he was crazy. "Uh, duh! It's Quidditch! We haven't had a good Seeker since Charlie left. You must be good, Harry, Wood was almost skipping this season when he told us."
"Anyway, we've got to go. Lee Jordan reckons he's found a new secret passageway out of the school." Fred said, making Brooklyn roll his eyes from what mischief the twins get up to after the two of them leave.
But then the two brother's worst enemies once again appear. "Having a last meal, Potter? When are you getting the train back to the Muggles?" Sneered Malfoy.
Brooklyn stood up sharply, his eyes glowing. "He doesn't live with that family anymore!" He snarled, hands balling into fists.
Malfoy folded his arms, non intimidated. "Aw, so Potter lives with his pet now. Too bad eventually he'll get his talons ripped off." He said with an all too evil grin, making Brooklyn's talons grip into fists even further.
Harry came to his defense. "You're a lot braver now that you're back on the ground and you've got your little friends with you." He said in a cool voice. There was of course nothing at all small about Crabbe and Goyle much to Brooklyn's worry about them harming his brother but he would ensure these brutes wouldn't do anything.
"I'd take you both on anytime on my own. Tonight if you want. Wizard's duel. Wands only, no contact." Malfoy suddenly challenged. Just from that made Brooklyn's bravery dwindle. He hardly knew many spells except for the disarming one from Dumbledore and the light spell, Lumos. He will not let them see his fear though. "What's the matter, freak? Never heard of a wizard's duel before?" Malfoy suddenly asked.
Ron nods. "Of course they have. I'm Harry's second. Who's yours?"
Malfoy glanced at his cronies. "Crabbe." He confirmed. "Midnight alright? We'll meet you in the trophy room; that's always unlocked. But ensure your little bird friend doesn't get caught, or they'd throw him to the Ministry for dangerous Magical Creatures." He leered.
Before Brooklyn can say anything back at the blonde brat, Malfoy went on his way. Brooklyn let out a hiss, trying to lunge but was grabbed by Harry and Ron. "Just let me at him!" The red male snarled.
"He's not worth it, not while the teachers are watching. We can at least beat him into a pulp tonight, bro." Harry assured with a grin, making Brooklyn feel just a tad better. But Harry had a question for Ron. "What is a wizard's duel? And what do you mean, you're my second?"
Ron suddenly looked rather grave. "Well, a second's there to take over if you die." He responds all too casually. "But people only die in proper duels, you know, with real wizards. The most you and Malfoy'll be able to do is send sparks at each other. Neither of you knows enough magic to do any real damage. I bet he expected you to refuse, anyway."
That made Brooklyn relax a little, now grateful his brother didn't know any lethal spells yet that could get them all into trouble.
"And what if I wave my wand and nothing happens?" Harry suddenly asked.
Ron simply shrugged. "Throw it away and punch him on the nose."
Brooklyn couldn't help but crack his own knuckles, his mischievous smile present. "I can help. He is no innocent kid in my eyes."
That was when her voice came. "Excuse me."
The trio glanced around, spotting the bushy haired girl Hermione. Ron was rather irritated at her, but she ignored him. "I couldn't help overhearing what you and Malfoy were saying." She started.
"Bet you could." Ron muttered.
"And you musn't go wandering around the school at night, think of the points you'll lose for Gryffindor if you're caught, and you're bound to be. And Brooklyn, you should be focused on setting a good example for your brother, not falling for what Malfoy wants to do. It's really selfish of both you three."
Brooklyn couldn't help but glare a little. Sure, Hermione seemed to like gargoyles, but her bossiness had been slowly getting the better of her. "It's really none of your business." Harry said back before he could speak.
Ron nodded. "Good-bye."
After that, Hermione swished her hair, turning on her heels and stomping off, still holding onto her many books.
...
The rest of the day was rather restless for Brooklyn, feeling really nervous about the idea of walking about this strange castle at nighttime, Ron's voice in giving dueling advice drifting in and out of his brain, staring out at the window, hoping that the blasted cat Mrs. Norris won't catch them.
Finally, around half past 11:00, Ron muttered to the two brothers that they should move.
The two boys put on their bathrobes, Brooklyn standing and stretching his arms and wings before following his brother towards the portrait hole, the common room now rather dark but at least for Brooklyn he still had his night vision.
However; their sneaking out didn't quite go as smoothly as a lamp flickered on, revealing Hermione in a pink bathrobe, a frown present.
Ron growled. "You! Go back to bed!"
She didn't. "I almost told your brother. Percy. He's a prefect. He'd put a stop to this!"
Brooklyn folded his arms. "Is there a wizarding word for being a tattle tale?" He asked snarkily, making her flush but kept on her frown.
Harry took Brooklyn's hand. "Come on guys." As they went their way to the portrait hole again, Hermione still wouldn't leave them be. She began to follow right behind, sounding like an angry goose as she kept saying stuff to try and make them feel guilty.
"Don't you care about Gryffindor? Do you only care about yourselves? I don't want Slytherin to win the house cup, and you'll lose all the points I got from Professor McGonagall for knowing about Switching Spells."
It made the red gargoyle turn, glaring sharply. "Just go away already, please? We don't need another student in danger from following us!"
'Alright, but I warned you. You just remember what I said when your brother is on the train tomorrow, you're so—." Hermione began to threaten, Brooklyn really losing his patience.
When Hermione began to go back into the common room however, she faced an empty portrait. Mostly from the Fat Lady going on a nighttime visit, keeping her locked out. Her face fell in horror. "Now what am I going to do?!" She shrilled.
Ron couldn't help the smirk on his face. "That's your problem. We've got to go, or we're going to be late."
Brooklyn nods until Hermione caught up with them... again.
"I'm coming with you."
"You are not!"
"D'you think I'm going to stand out here and wait for Filch to catch me? If he finds all three of us I'll tell him the truth, that I was trying to stop you, and you can back me up." Hermione said in blackmail style.
Both Ron and Brooklyn glared. "You've got some nerve!" Ron started to shout but Harry held up his hand. "Shut up, the three of you! I heard something."
Brook's ears twitched, now hearing what Harry was hearing, which sounded like a snuffling noise. "Please tell me that isn't the demon cat..." He said in a trembling tone.
But to his relief; it only turned out to be Neville. He curled up on the floor, fast asleep, jerking from the sounds of them coming nearer. His eyes filled with relief, especially at the sight of Brooklyn. "Thank goodness you found me! I've been out here for hours, I couldn't remember the new password to get into bed."
Ron held out his hands. "Keep your voice down, Neville. The password's Pig Snout but it won't help you now, the Fat Lady's gone off somewhere."
Brooklyn knelt beside Neville. "How'd things go with Madam Pomfrey?"
Neville shrugged, his eyes shining in admiration at him. "She didn't need to do much, just had me drink a calming draught and rest for a lot of the day. But Pomfrey said I was lucky you were there to grab me."
Brooklyn rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, er, just what we do, that's all."
"Look Neville, we've got to be somewhere. We'll see you later." Harry said, the four about to leave again until Neville stood up, eyes popping.
"Don't leave me! The Bloody Baron's been past twice already!" He yelped, making Brooklyn wonder what that gaunt looking ghost had been doing sneaking about the Gryffindor tower.
Ron glanced down at his watch, glaring at both Hermione and Neville. "If either of you get us caught, I'll never rest until I've learned that Curse of the Bogies Quirrell told us about, and use it on you!" He hissed.
The red gargoyle couldn't hide his snicker much when seeing Hermione looking like she wanted to tell Ron exactly how to use said curse but shut her mouth.
Harry gestured with his hand, beckoning them all forward together, Brooklyn's heart hammering at their first nighttime adventure. He also hoped they won't see the Bloody Baron anytime soon.
The five crept along the corridors, sometimes Brooklyn using his wings as a stealth shield if necessary, grateful now more than ever for his night vision since the kids except Hermione didn't know the light spell.
Soon after going up a stair case they found themselves in the trophy room. Brooklyn looked about at all the different trophies which glinted in the moonlight, even seeing one that said the nameTom Riddle; special award for services to the schoolon tilting his head in curiosity at the name.
He didn't have time to brood on it however while the minutes crept by and still no sign of Crabbe, Goyle, and Malfoy, his legs aching from standing for too long.
Ron frowned. "He's late, maybe he's chickened out." He said softly, Brooklyn shrugging. "I smell a trap." He growled.
Just as he said that, a voice, not Malfoy's came by. "Sniff around, my sweet, they might be lurking in a corner..."
The red gargoyle froze, his eyes round. He knew that voice; Flich. They were doomed. How he longed to kick that horrid cat of his right now.
"Move, move it!" Brooklyn hissed out of his panic, pushing his brother and the others into another doorway down a gallery full of suits of armor. Neville though quickly grabbed onto Brooklyn, squeaking in fear, making Brooklyn stagger, flinching when the two collapsed into a suit of armor that clanged loudly.
That did it for them. "RUN!" Harry screamed, Brooklyn pulling himself up, running on all fours with the kids, not wanting to see if Filch was following after them.
Thankfully there was the Charms classroom that was empty close by, Brooklyn guiding his friends right into it, closing the door behind them, all panting heavily.
Hermione somehow still talked even through her panting. "I—told you—I told—you..." She wheezed, clutching at her chest.
Brooklyn rolled his eyes. "No time for this, we gotta get back before we really get in trouble." He said
Hermione glanced at Harry and at Brooklyn. "Malfoy tricked you. You realized that, don't you? He was never going to meet you. Filch knew someone was going to be in the trophy room. Malfoy must've tipped him off."
Harry merely just looked at her, then at Brooklyn, both of them now wanting to plot revenge on that Draco..
"Let's just go." Brooklyn grumbled. As they left though, their bad luck kept going when a doorknob rattled, revealing Peeves as he shot out of the classroom.
He spotted the five, squealing from delight. Brooklyn waved his talons, trying to strike at the Poltergeist. "Shut up Peeves, you'll wake the whole damn castle!" He hissed.
But that didn't scare him at all. "Wandering around at midnight, ickle firsties and gargoyle? Tut, tut, tut. Naughty, naughty, you'll all get caughty."
Harry stared in desperation. "Not if you don't give us away, Peeves, please."
Peeves folds his arms. "Should tell Filch, I should." He sneered in a saintly tone that got under Brook's skin. "It's for your own good you know."
Brooklyn grabbed a book. "I swear, one more move Peeves..." He snarled, tossing the book. He realized his mistake, Peeves simply dodging as he suddenly let out a huge bellow.
"STUDENTS AND GARGOYLE OUT OF BED! STUDENTS OUT OF BED DOWN THE CHARMS CORRIDOR!" Peeves screeched.
The five made a break for it, all running for their very lives down the hall, Brooklyn feeling terrified now, not wanting to do this ever again. After some time running, they ran right into a locked door.
Ron moaned, hiding his face in his hands. "This is it! We're done for! This is the end!"
Brooklyn shook his head. "No. Us gargoyles don't give up this quick, and neither should you." He tried tugging hard on the locked door, but even with his gargoyle strength it wouldn't even give until Hermione shoved him out of the way.
"Oh, move over!" She pulled out her wand, pointing it at the lock. "Alohamora!" And just like that, the lock opened with ease, Brooklyn blinking in disbelief at her. Now that was a great spell.
He quickly gestured them all into the mysterious door, closing it carefully but not all the way while the group heard Filch's voice and Peeves'.
"Which way did they go, Peeves?" Filch was demanding. "Quick, tell me!"
"Say please."
"Don't mess with me, Peeves. Now where did they go?!"
"Shan't say nothing if you don't say please!" Brook heard Peeves say in his usual sing song tone.
"Alright... please."
That made Peeves laugh hysterically. "NOTHING! Ha haa! Told you I wouldn't say nothing if you didn't say please!" He kept chortling, whooshing away, Filch cursing after him.
Brooklyn felt himself sigh in relief. "He thinks the door is locked—agh—Neville!" He looked around from Neville yanking on his tail, pointing with a shaky finger, whimpering.
The five glanced about, Brooklyn now wishing he hadn't. They weren't in a room, as they had thought. For to his fear; the were in the abandoned third floor. And what resided there was a nightmare dog that filled the whole place, three heads, and three pairs of maddening eyes, saliva dripping down its mouth, snarling. And this thing was bigger than Brooklyn.
A small squeak sounded out of his own beak, Brooklyn shakily stepping back, feeling all six of its eyes on him and his friends, Harry groping wildly for the doorknob, knowing he would take Filch instead of this.
"RUN!" Brooklyn shouted, pushing the kids out first before suddenly to his horror, the massive dog paw had slammed down on his tail. He squirmed, trying to get free.
Harry and Ron gasped and ran to grab his hands, Brooklyn shaking from the dog's breath on his back until eventually with an extra tug from Hermione, was yanked free, Brooklyn slamming the door shut with his foot, heart thumping like he ran a 500 mile marathon.
All of them ran like their lives depended on it, straight back to the common room, Brooklyn nearly ready to glide them all back if he had too.
But thankfully the friends spotted the portrait hole with the return of the Fat Lady who stared in shock at the sight of the group. "Where on earth have you all been?" She demanded.
"N-No time... Pig Snout!" Brook croaked, a hand on his chest, his face flushed along with the others just as flushed as they all scrambled through the hole altogether, Brooklyn finding the nearest couch and collapsing, never wanting to go through that again, Neville the most petrified.
Ron's eyes were still popped out. "What do they think they're doing? Keeping a thing like that locked up in a school? If any dog needs exercise, it's that one!"
Brooklyn let out a croaky laugh both from exhaustion and fear. "You're tellin' me. And a Big Mac. I was nearly eaten by that thing!" He wheezed.
Hermione though wasn't joking about the whole thing. "You all don't use your eyes, do you? Didn't you see what it was standing on?"
Harry glared. "The floor? I wasn't looking at its feet, I was too busy with his heads."
Brooklyn also gave her a look. " Well, excuse me for struggling to not getting eaten alive to notice anything!" He hissed.
Hermione shook her head. "No, not the floor. It was standing on a trap door. It's obviously guarding something."
That made Brooklyn and Harry both shut up, Brooklyn's eyes rather confused at what the dog could be guarding.
"I hope you're pleased with yourselves. We could all have been killed—or worse, expelled. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to bed." Hermione said like an angry hen, turning on her heels and marching up to the girl's dormitories.
It left the boys gaping at her, Ron stunned at what she said. "She really thinks being expelled is worse, huh?" Muttered Brooklyn, rubbing his tail now. "Well, I say otherwise." Harry couldn't help the grin on his face from his brother's joke, but the two brothers then realized the dog probably could be guarding the package from Vault 713.