The Cowardly Lion (Book 1)

18: Of Trapdoors and Enchantments

They made it to the third floor without many obstacles, for once, all four of them hidden beneath the Cloak. Only Draco could tell how scared Harry really was, as the whole time they'd been walking Harry had put on a brave face, but he was gripping Draco's hand so tightly it had nearly gone numb.

"The door's open," whispered Ron in horror, and all four of them stared at the open door that was meant to be closed, and locked. They all hurried inside the room, to find Fluffy already asleep, a magical harp playing a lovely tune.

"Oh, Merlin, Snape's already gone down the trapdoor," whispered Hermione in horror. Harry turned to Ron, Hermione, and Draco.

"If you want to go back," Harry said - Draco thought he was the only person who could hear the ever-so-tiny tremble in his voice - "I won't blame you. You can take the Cloak, I won't need it now."

"Don't be stupid," said Ron.

"We're coming," added Hermione.

Draco just pulled Harry in for a kiss. "If you think I'm going anywhere, you've got another thing coming," he whispered against Harry's lips.

"I knew it," said Ron, putting out his hands. "Pay up, Hermione."

Hermione huffed. "Can it wait until we go back to the dormitory? I haven't got any money on me."

Harry let out a small laugh; despite the fact that they were possibly facing their doom, that Lord Voldemort might be returning from wherever he'd gone, ten years ago, tonight, the fact that their friends had done something like betting on them seemed to take the weight off of their shoulders.

After they'd finished, Ron stepped towards the sleeping dog. "I think I can pull open the trapdoor," he informed them. "Want to go first, Hermione? Draco? Because I know I don't."

The reminder of what awaited them sobered them all up immediately. One look at Harry, and Draco knew he was absolutely terrified of going down that trapdoor. Draco couldn't blame him.

"Of course I don't, you absolute git!" Hermione cried. Ron rolled his eyes, but they were both shoved aside as Draco released Harry's hand, pushed them both back, and turned, just before the trapdoor, to face them all.

"Well, I'm not going down first!" Ron retorted. "Draco, what are you doing?"

"If I die, tell them I died a Gryffindor," he informed them all shortly.

"Wait, Draco, what are you doing?" Harry reached towards him, but it was too late.

Draco jumped down the trapdoor first.

"Draco!" yelled Harry in desperation.

"I'm okay!" cried Draco, and then Harry jumped after him. Ron was next, and finally, Hermione.

"What is this thing? Some sort of plant?" Ron asked, studying the soft thing they'd landed on.

"Dunno," shrugged Harry, grabbing hold of Draco's hand once more. "Are you a complete idiot? Have you gone mad? What in Merlin's name would make you do something like that?"

Draco released a laugh. "I knew you wouldn't come down otherwise. Purely selfish reasons, trust me."

Harry grinned at him as Hermione jumped down.

"We must be miles under the school," Hermione said.

"Lucky this plant thing's here, really," Ron informed her, but Hermione only let out a loud shriek as she jumped off of the plant they had landed on.

"Lucky! This is Devil's Snare - for Merlin's sake, look at the both of you!" As the three boys looked at their legs, they found themselves ensnared by the plant.