What If? Year 1

Chapter 39

Harry and Ron grab Ara, pulling her backwards as Mr. Malfoy continues to talk.
"I'm afraid we feel you're losing your touch. How many attacks have there been now? Two more this afternoon, wasn't it? At this rate, there'll be no Muggle-borns left at Hogwarts, and we all agree what an awful loss that would be." Ara tenses up again and grips my hand harshly.
"Oh, now, see here, Lucius." Fudge complies, "Dumbledore suspended - no, no- last thing we want now..."
"The appointment - or suspension - of the headmaster is a matter for the governors, Fudge," Mr. Malfoy says, smoothly, "And as Dumbledore has fail to stop these attacks-." I grab Ara's arm as she reaches for her wand.
"See here, Malfoy, if Dumbledore can't stop them.. who can?" I look at Harry, but his eyes were trained on the conversation in front of us.
"That remains to be see.. But as the twelve of us have voted-."
"An' how many did yeh have ter threaten an' blackmail before they agreed?" Hagrid roars, hopping up from his chair.
"Dear me, you know, that temper of yours will lead you into trouble one of these days, Hagrid. I would advise you not to shout at the Azkaband guards like that."
"You would know," Ara murmurs, making us all bit our lips.
"Yeh can't take Dumbledore!" Fang barks wildy with him, "Take him away, an' the Muggle-born won' stand a chance! There'll be a killin' next!" I agree with Hagrid.
"Calm yourself, Hagrid," Dumbledore says, sharply. He looks to Mr. Malfoy.
"If the governors want my removable, Lucius, I shall of course step aside-.." My head get lighter.
"But-" Fudge stutters.
"NO!" Hagrid wails, making my legs Jell-O in fear. Dumbledore only keeps his eyes on Mr. Malfoy's.
"However," Dumbledore says, slowly and clearly, "you will find that I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me. You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it." Dumbledore's eyes flicker to mine, sending chills to my toes.
"Admirable sentiments," Malfoy says, "We shall all miss your - ummm - highly individual way of running things, and only hope that your successor will manage to prevent any more.. killings." He and Dumbledore walks out the door. Fudge, clearly hoping that Hagrid would go in front of him, but Hagrid was standing his ground.
"If anyone wanted ter find out some stuff, all they'd have ter do would be ter follow the spiders. That'd lead 'em right." Fudge clears his throat.
"Alright, I'm comin'." Hagrid pulls on his moleskin coat. "an' someone'll need ter feed Fang while I'm away." The door bangs shut and we pull off the Invisibility Cloak.
"We're screwed!" Ron says, "they might as well close the school now.. without Dumbledore there will be another attack within a day!"
"That pure-blood git!" Ara snarks, "Merlin, I hope that he gets attacked before he can even leave the school." Harry and I just stare at each other.
"So do you think Hagrid did it now?"
"The Minister just took him away for it!"
"Dumbledore trust him!"
"Alright? Dumbledore trusted Quirrell, and he tried to kill me."
"I cannot believe you!"
"Guys, we can't argue.. we need to stick together to figure this out. Hagrid said to follow the..... spiders.. if we want answers." Ron shivers.
"Well, right now we need to get back to the common room."

"Now all you first years have nothing to worry about," Lockhart draws on, "The man responsible for this terrible attacks has been taken away.. and while you are being shown to classes by me there is no reason for you to fear." I look at Ara, who is already rolling her eyes.
"Of course that freak did it.. didn't you hear that he got expelled from Hogwarts for the same reason? Dumbledore kept him at the school anyway... Thank Merlin the both of them are gone now," another student gloats.
"I don't even think that any of these kids have even met Hagrid. I just can't bring myself to believe that he did this."
"I can't either.. I mean you heard him when Fudge took him.. he sounded so defeated. I don't think someone whose been petrifying and killing kids would sound that-."
"Yeah, and I don't think Dumbledore should have.. I think he should have given a fight."
"Yeah, I think that you, Harry, Ron, and I should compile all of our knowledge so we can figure out what or where this is."
"I don't know why you would need to do that," Lockhart says, "Trust me, Miss Potter, the adults have all of this figured out. You should just focus on your studies." I nod and Ara snorts.
"I don't think Goldie needs to focus on her studies any more than she is now... I don't think she can get a score higher."
"...have you seen my grades?" I ask her.
"Her grades are certainly impressive, but I doubt she'll be able to keep them that high after finals."
"Just because you couldn't when you were a student, doesn't mean that you should ruin the self-esteem of one of your students."
"I don't think that's what he means, Ara. Sorry, Professor."
"You have done nothing wrong, Miss Potter. Miss Malfoy.. you will be seeing me after class, won't you?"
"Sounds like a dream," Ara replies. Lockhart walks back to the front of the group. I smack Ara's arm.
"What the hell?" I ask her, "What has gotten into you?"
"I'm just standing up for you.. you did it for me, and I feel like I need to start repaying you.." I shake my head.
"You don't have to repay me, Ara.. you're my friend. Especially don't stand up to teachers for me, if you want to stand up to someone, you can feel free to stand up to students. I don't want you to get in trouble for me."
"But-."
"No buts, just keep being my friend, that's enough." Ara shakes her head and laughs.
"You're such a sap." We sit down together and get ready for class.