Work of Karma || Cedric Diggory [2]

Chapter 6: Bewitched

The trips to Hogsmeade were always the most long-awaited events for the students of Hogwarts. In those rare occasions, they could dress up in casual clothing, not worry about their academics, and simply spend time in a place that wasn't the castle. And so, even if Analeigh felt like she was freezing and could barely see what was in front of her due to the heavy snow falling down on them, she and her friends did not want to miss this opportunity to head down to Hogsmeade that weekend in November. Besides, she didn't have any other plans that day; Cedric was unfortunately busy with his program and had written to her a few days ago, saying that he wouldn't be able to make it.

As they made their way down the icy path to the village, Hermione was in the middle of scolding Harry — which, Analeigh realized, wasn't unusual at all.

"For weeks, you carry around this book, practically sleep with it, and yet you have no desire to find out who the Half-Blood Prince is?" Hermione was saying.

"I didn't say I wasn't curious — and I don't sleep with it," Harry said indignantly.

"Well, it's true," Ron pointed out, receiving a glare from Harry that screamed you're not helping. "I like a nice chat before I go to bed, but now all you do is read that bloody book. It's just like being with Hermione."

"Ooh, I've been there," Analeigh said. Similar to Ron, she received a dirty look, but from Hermione this time. "After having been your roommate for more than three years now, I learned not to speak with you before bed."

"You're exaggerating," Hermione huffed.

"Fine, I am," Analeigh raised her hands up in defense. "You nod your head once in a while, so I suppose you do listen."

"Anyway, I was curious about the book," Hermione went on, ignoring their jabs. "So, I went to —"

"The library?" Harry and Ron finished.

"And?" Analeigh pressed.

"... and nothing! I couldn't find a reference anywhere to the Half-Blood Prince."

"There we go," said Harry in satisfaction. "That settles it, then."

"Filius!" a jolly voice sounded. The group slowed down, their steps coming to a halt a good distance away from two figures who they concluded to be Professor Slughorn and Professor Flitwick. "I hoping to find you in in the Three Broomsticks!"

"Uh, no, emergency choir practice, I'm afraid, Horace," Flitwick chuckled awkwardly, brushing past the tall man. It couldn't be any more obvious that he simply did not want to drink with him.

While Slughorn went on his way and Flitwick walked past them to return to the castle, a mischievous glint lit up in Harry's eye.

"Does anyone fancy a butterbeer?" he said.

"Weren't we gonna go to Honeydukes —" Analeigh began.

"Brilliant," Harry cut her off, already on the way to the pub, Professor Slughorn just a couple of paces before him. Analeigh, Hermione, and Ron exchanged confused looks at that. After a beat that served as an unspoken agreement, they decided to follow Harry.

As expected, the Three Broomsticks was fairly packed with students, teachers, and other sorts of witches and wizards when they entered. Analeigh welcomed the warmth inside the little building, shrugging off her thick jacket and holding it by the arm. She was already making her way to one of the empty tables nearby when Harry stopped her.

"No, not there," he said, forcing her to turn her body to another direction.

"But —"

"Over here." He led them to another table behind the staircase, giving them a perfect view of the bar — or, more specifically, Professor Slughorn, who so happened to already be sitting there and chatting to some wizards about his sledging adventures in Clasby Hill. At least, that's what Analeigh could hear from their table.