The Secret Relationship: The Angelic Witch and Draco Malfoy (Book 3)

Dementors And Quidditch

Heroneka woke extremely early the next morning; so early that it was still dark. For a moment she thought the roaring of the wind had woken her. Then she felt some cold sprinkles of water on the back of her neck and sat bolt upright -- Hedwig, Harry's owl, was sitting on her pillow, trying to dry off her wings. She had a letter tied to her foot and hooted softly, shivering.

"Hedwig! You could have waited somewhere for the rain to stop," said Heroneka feeling concerned. Hedwig stuck out her leg and Heroneka untied the letter.

"You're just like Harry, aren't you?" Heroneka eyed her. "Wandering off when you shouldn't!"

She wrapped a scarf around Hedwig, who hooted gratefully.

"Stay here till the rain stops." She told Hedwig who nipped gently on her fingers. "I'll warm you up by the fire in the Common Room."

The sounds of the thunder rumbling overhead, the pounding of the wind against the castle walls, and the distant creaking of the trees in the Forbidden Forest, made Heroneka wonder -- how important this letter could have been, that Hedwig had faced the storm outside to get it to Heroneka. In a few hours, she would be out on the Quidditch field, battling through that gale. She got fresh quickly, dressed, gently grabbed Hedwig who was still shivering, picked up the letter and her Nimbus Two Thousand, and walked quietly out of the dormitory.

As Heroneka opened the door, something brushed against her leg. Crookshanks purred strolling inside the dormitory, being grateful that Heroneka had opened the door.

"Go to sleep Crookshanks," Heroneka told him as he looked back at her and purred. "I don't want to hear that you're annoying Scabbers again. You know how it boils up Ron."

The noise of the storm was even louder in the common room. Heroneka hurried down the dormitory staircase and went straight to the fireplace. Someone was sitting by the fire already, dressed up.

"Harry?" She walked up to him.

Harry looked at her. "Hey! Good morning." His eyes squinted. "Is that Hedwig you're carrying?"

Hedwig hooted happily. "Yes, she brought me a letter in this storm! Can you believe it? I was going to sit by the fire with her. That would warm her up."

Harry got up quickly and took Hedwig from Heroneka. He sat on the chairs by the fire and Hedwig fluttered her wings, warming them up. Heroneka sat next to them, ripping open the letter Hedwig had brought. Harry peered to read it along.

Dear Snitchy,
I hope with all my heart that you and Harry are safe. I heard from Percy about how Sirius Black broke into the castle. Please, do not go wandering around by yourself and keep an eye on Harry too. What matters the most right now is that you two stay safe.
William has recovered a lot. Hopefully, he will be released from St. Mungos by Christmas. The doctors are still not allowing any letters to reach him for security measures. But I have successfully visited William once a week since you have left for Hogwarts.
Molly sends her love and asks you to stay with Ron, Fred and George as much as possible. They will always be there to help you and Harry.
Love,
Mr Weasley

Harry smiled petting Hedwig. "Will you go to see Mr Pearlstone for the Christmas holidays?" He glanced at her. "He will be happy to see you."

"I don't think so." Heroneka folded up the letter and tucked it in her pocket. "He... Always wanted me to be safe. He will be angry that I left Hogwarts to see him when Sirius Black is still on the run."

"I wish, I had a godfather." Harry chuckled. "They're like... A parent, but a friend too."

Heroneka felt so guilty for reading the letter in front of Harry. It had made him feel alone. She wanted to divert his attention.