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

Draco's Plan

No one in Gryffindor Tower slept that night. They knew that the castle was being searched again, and the whole House stayed awake in the common room, waiting to hear whether Black had been caught. Professor McGonagall came back at dawn, to tell them that he had again escaped.

The next morning when Heroneka went to the Great Hall for breakfast Harry and Ron wouldn't leave her alone. They had told her strictly that she wouldn't go anywhere alone unless it was the bathroom.

"The security is being tightened," Fred told them as they sat close to him and George. "We saw Professor Flitwick teaching the front doors to recognize a large picture of Sirius Black."

"And Filch!" George added. "He's been bustling up and down the corridors, boarding up everything from tiny cracks in the walls to mouse holes."

"Did you guys hear though? They're firing Sir Cadogan!" Said Heroneka. "His portrait has been taken back to the seventh floor, and the Fat Lady is back."

"I like the Fat Lady better than Sir Cadogan," Ron said approvingly.

"Yes," Heroneka agreed. "but she is still extremely nervous, and agreed to return to her job only on condition that she was given extra protection. So, a bunch of surly security trolls have been hired to guard her."

"We saw them!" Fred rolled his eyes. "They were pacing the corridor in a menacing group, talking in grunts and comparing the size of their clubs."

Harry watched them quietly as they talked.

"What?" Fred asked him.

"The statue of the one-eyed witch on the third floor." Harry looked at them. "It is still unguarded and unblocked. What if Sirius Black is using that passage?"

Fred and George looked at each other. Heroneka hadn't touched her breakfast yet and whatever Harry said, killed her appetite.

"D'you reckon we should tell someone?" Harry asked Ron.

"We know he's not coming in through Honeyduke's," said Ron dismissively. "We'd've heard if the shop had been broken into."

Fred and George nodded in agreement and began to dig in their plates. Ron was now getting a lot of attention as students asked him what had happened the night before. He altered the story every time he told it. Neville received a howler from his grandmother and had to open it on the table. She said he had brought disgrace to his family.

Hedwig had brought a letter for Harry too.

"Oh -- thanks, Hedwig." Said Harry as Hedwig nipped his hand to get his attention.

Heroneka looked at Harry as he tore open the envelope while Hedwig helped herself to some of Neville's cornflakes. The note inside said:

Dear Harry and Ron,
How about having tea with me this afternoon 'round six? I'll come to collect you from the castle. WAIT FOR ME IN THE ENTRANCE HALL; YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED OUT ON YOUR OWN.
Cheers,
Hagrid

"Why didn't he invite me?" Heroneka felt disappointed.

"He probably wants to hear all about Black!" said Ron. "It's alright, Snitchy! You stay in the common room. It's safer!"

Heroneka thought the same. She was just beginning to sip her glass of pumpkin juice when a tiny Ravenclaw boy came running up to her. He seemed so tiny that Heroneka could tell he was a first-year.

"Yes?" Heroneka smiled at him as he stood next to her, watching her in amazement.

His eyes flickered to her right hand which held up her glass, and he gasped. He was watching Heroneka's completely blackened burnt hand with astonishment.