The Brightest Star Of The Darkest Night

45. That Room Went Boom

The next chapter, as promised, is being served!

Bon appétit! XD

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"Are you sure you don't need to see a Healer, Luna?" Hadrianus asked for what felt like the tenth time.

A bubbled laughter left her mouth as Luna shook her head, her ponytail bouncing around, "I just need to see my mommy."

"Okay," Hadrianus fell silent, his eyes meeting Neville's as the four of them silently walked out of Gran's chamber. After practicing the karate move, they had been lounging around, playing the board games in the Manor when Luna suddenly felt restless, which made her want to see her mommy as soon as possible. Hadrianus didn't ask her judgment, wanting to spend as much time as possible with mum is something that he can understand and agree with.

Of course, Jim didn't want to hang out with them and return to his guardian's chamber, but apparently, Madam McGee had asked him to stay with them until she comes to collect him. Mum wanted to tag along, not wanting to let them go to Hogwarts without adult supervision, but Hadrianus and Neville had convinced her to stay, as they won't take much. They will only escort Luna to her mommy's quarter and return through the Floo from there. Hadrianus already had a successful Restraining Charm against the Headmaster, so he can't ambush Hadrianus from now on. Besides, his father, Barty, and Uncle Batman are already in Hogwarts, busy with the staff meeting. If necessary, he will run to them. What could go wrong in this simple tour, right?

As they walked on, Hadrianus squirmed uncomfortably under the watchful gaze of so many portraits following their every move. Why there must be so many portraits? Why they're watching him like a predator? Hadrianus felt unease, inwardly thanking the stars that he doesn't have to put up with Portraits like this, back in their house. It would have made things too awkward. Now he would have to stay under their gaze for seven freaking years.  No privacy, or whatsoever! Are the dorm rooms going to be the same? And if what Barty said is true, the portraits all report to the Headmaster, the Restraining Charm will be less than useful. 

"I hate to sound like a clueless schmoe, but can anyone tell me why there are so many portraits?"

"Thats normal in uh, magical Britain household." Neville explained.

"Is it?" Hadrianus looked at him, surprised. "Why? Do people in Britain love to be stared at all the time?" Hadrianus inwardly cringed when Potter scowled at him, to be honest, he had forgotten about his celebrity status, and now probably the boy thinks he is poking fun at him, "No offense, Potter."

Potter rolled his eyes.

"Oh, I think they all are looking out for the evidence of Crown-faced Hornswoggles."

"Crown-faced...what?"

"Crown-faced Hornswoggles. Everyone knows that a Crown-faced Hornwoggles attacks only the boys' lungs and makes them unable to breathe, unless a girl helps them by giving them mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for at least half an hour in a brooms closet."

Behind them, Jim Potter coughed violently into his hand, his face getting rather red as he tried to look away from them awkwardly, while the portraits gasped, looking scandalized at the mention of how a girl could save a boy from a Crown-faced Hornswoggles. Hadrianus and Neville made disgusted faces, "Ew! Why a girl? Why can't the Healer do that?"

"And why it must be in a freaking broom closet?"

"Yeah Why not in Infirmary?"

"Well, because if the girls do it in broom closet, its less painful," Luna lectured them wisely, her large eyes gazing into something on Hadrianuss shoulder. "There is an infestation of Crown-faced Hornswoggles around the Hogwarts, I have seen many girls trying to resuscitate the boys. When I asked them, they said the boy will die from not breathing if they wait for the Healers, and given they know the secret and forbidden recipe to save them, they are happy to help out their friend as what Healers do is rather painful."