Reaper's Heir (Book 1)

Chapter 12

I spent the next few months studying to keep up with classes and trying to research the sorcerer's stone, unicorn blood, and whatever else I could think of that might be relevant to Voldemort in between. I couldn't get back into the restricted section because the locks had been fixed and reinforced with new spells and jinxes after Harry and I had snuck in over the holiday break. Against Professor Dumbledore's wishes, I also went looking for the mirror of erised again, hoping to see the group of shadowy figures again and maybe learn more about them. Professor Dumbledore had been far too cryptic when he'd caught Harry and me, so I still had no idea what I'd seen had meant or how it could 'span past present and future' as he'd said.

"I think Daphne will actually disown you after all this studying you've been doing in place of spending time with her," Terrence said, breaking my concentration as he sat down at the table next to me. "She won't stop complaining about you leaving her to deal with Pansy."

I glanced around the library before answering, gesturing to the groups of students who were also studying. "I'm pretty sure I've already been disowned by the people I live with so it's nothing new. Plus exams are coming up." I didn't want to tell him that I currently was reading about the sorcerer's tone again instead of studying for my transfiguration exam.

Terrence chuckled. "The end-of-year exams really aren't that bad. You don't have anything to worry about."

I glared at him, briefly seeing the pale green light surrounding him. "You should either help me study or leave me alone." He rolled his eyes but didn't respond at first and it was quiet for a few blessed minutes.

"Come hang out with Daphne and me." He said finally, grabbing the book I was reading and snapping it shut. He held it out of my reach as I stretched across the table to grab it. "Let's say I'm calling in one of those favors you owe me."

I scowled, crossing my arms. "That's a terrible way to use up a favor." I got up, grabbed the book, and put it back anyway, not wanting to go back on my word. We made our way out of the library and back to the common room, where Daphne was waiting. The next few days passed in an unusually peaceful manner until finally, exam day arrived. I was surprised by how easy they were, but Daphne hardly seemed fazed by them even in the days leading up to the exams. As we walked out to the courtyard, I noticed Harry, Ron, and Hermione ahead of us, with Harry holding his forehead. Bidding Daphne a quick goodbye, I rushed up to them, managing to catch the end of the conversation.

"Perhaps you should see the nurse," Ron said, flinching away from me as I came up to them.

Harry grimaced. "I think it's a warning. It means dangers coming." He rubbed his scar, then saw Hagrid across the field, playing the flute. "Oh. Of course!" We started speed walking over to Hagrid.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Don't you think it's a bit odd that what Hagrid wants more than anything is a dragon, and a stranger shows up and just happens to have one? I mean, how many people wander around with dragon eggs in their pockets? Why didn't I see it before?" It made perfect sense. What better way to get past a three-headed dog than tricking the secret out of its owner?

I got to the hut first. "Hagrid, who gave you the dragon egg? What did he look like?"

Hagrid stopped playing and shrugged. "I don't know. I never saw his face. He kept his hood up."

"The stranger, though, you and he must have talked," Harry said.

"Well, he wanted to know what sort of creatures I looked after. I told him. I said, after Fluffy, a dragon's gonna be no problem."

"And did he seem interested in Fluffy?" Hermione asked.

Hagrid almost looked offended by the question. "Well, of course, he was interested in Fluffy! How often do you come across a three-headed dog, even if you're in the trade? But I told him. I said, "The trick with any beast is to know how to calm him. Take Fluffy, for example, just play him a bit of music and he falls straight to sleep." His eyes widened a little, realizing what he'd just told us. "I shouldn't have told you that." We turned and took off, Hagrid calling out to us. We had to tell Professor Dumbledore. We ran to Professor McGonagall's classroom, where it looked like she was grading exams.