𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐋𝐄𝐘 || 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳

✿ CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT ✿

Sitting there on the cool floor of the cave, blocking Harry, Hermione, Ron and Sirius' conversation out, my mind wonders around, visiting random subjects like food and clothes before I'm pulled back to reality.

"...I just don't understand! It's not like Crouch. If he's ever taken a day off work because of illness before this, I'll... I'll eat Buckbeak!" Siruis says, pointing to the eagle-horse thing next to Hermione. At this, Buckbeak let's out a startled screechy-grunt.
"Only joking, pal." Sirius smiles to the creature, who relaxes.
"So... you know Crouch?" I ask the escaped convict.
"Oh, I know Crouch! He was the one who gave the order for me to be sent to Azkaban — without a trial!
"No!" Hermione gasps.

"Yes! Awfully proud, that one. Values power. Had a very high position at the time of you-know-who's regime, actually. He was next in line to be the minister. Sent his own son to Azkaban!" Sirius' eyes went wide at the mentioning of the wizard jail.
"He did?" I ask, surprised.
"He did. Another death eater sold him and a bunch of them out, and got released from Azkaban in return." Sirius continues.
"Who was it who sold them out?" Harry says.
"Igor Karkaroff." Sirius says, his voice grim.
"No!" Hermione gasps again.
"Yes! Crouch jr. was in a cell near mine, I saw them bring him in."
"So he's still in Azkaban then?" Ron asks.
"Oh, no. He died, after about a year in there. The boy was only young, must have been nineteen or so."
"He died?" I say, my eyes going wide.
"Yep. Crouch Sr. and his wife came in to Azkaban. With Crouch being a ministry official and all, they were allowed a deathbed visit. Mrs. Crouch died shortly after that, wasted away like the boy. Crouch's reputation was tainted, his wife was dead, Fudge got the top job and he was sent to the International Magical Co-operation department."

"Wow." Harry says.
"'wow' is right." Sirius says.
"Moody says Crouch is obsessed with catching Dark wizards." Harry tells Sirius.
"If you ask me, he still thinks he can bring back his old popularity by catching one more Death Eater."
"And that's why he snuck up here to search Snapes office!" Ron yells triumphantly, his eyes gleaming like he was a detective who just solved a murder.
"Yes, and that makes absolutely no sense at all." Sirius smirks.
"It does so!" Ron continues, buzzing. Sirius shook his head at Ron.
"Listen. If Crouch wanted to investigate Snape, he would show up to judge the Tournament. It would give him an excellent excuse to be in the castle and make regular visits to Hogwarts."
"So you do think Snapes up to something?" Harry enquires.
"Look, never mind whatever you say, but Dumbledore trusts Snape-" Hermione pipes up from in the corner.
"Oh, come off it Hermione!" Ron huffs impatiently. "I know Dumbledores a really great wizard and all, but everyone makes mistakes, and-"
"So explain why Snape saved Harry's life in first year, with his broom?"
"Dunno- maybe Snape thought Dumbledore'd kick him out-"

"What do you think, Sirius?" I say rather loudly, trying to end Hermione and Ron's bickering, earning sour looks from both of them.
"Since I found out Dumbledore hired Snape, I wondered why Dumbledore would have. Snape's always been incredibly interested in the Dark Arts. He hung out with a group of other Slytherins in school who all turned out Death Eaters. Though as far as I know, he's never been a Death Eater."

Our conversation about Crouch ends there, with my questions doubled instead of answered. We make small talk for a while more about school and homework before Ron checks his watch.
"Blimey! We better get going!" He says.
"So nice to meet you, Sirius." I smile at the grubby man, offering my hand. He ignores it, and pulls me into a comfortable hug.
"Great to meet you too." Siruis smiles. "I'll walk you all back down the mountain."

Sirius changes into dog form and accompanies us back to the stile, where he allows us each to pet him on the head. We bid him goodbye and begin the trek through the snow to Hogwarts Castle.

"Ruby! 'allo, Ruby!" The delicate voice of Fleur Delacour meets my ears as she approaches us. Since the second task, the French girl had become extremely friendly towards me and saying 'hello' whenever she saw Harry or I.

"Oh! And 'allo 'Arry!" Fleur greets Harry next to me.
"Hello, Fleur. Have you been well?" I smile to the seventh year.
"Yes! I 'ave been seemply wonderful, zank you!" She beams. "And you both, 'ave you been well, too?"
"Very well, thank you Fleur." Harry says politely.
"Yes, very well." I say.
"Very good. Well, I 'ave to get back to my friends now. We are doing some shopping in zis leetle town of 'Ogsmeade!" The French girl says cheerily, "any place you suggest we go?"
"I don't know too much about shopping," Harry chuckles, "but definitely stop into The Three Broomsticks for a Butterbeer."
"What is zis 'Butterbeer'?" She asks.
"It's a warm butterscotch drink. Slightly alcoholic, but not strong at all. Absolutely perfect." I describe.
"Well, we will 'ave to 'ave a look!" Fleur smiles, and with a fluttery wave 'goodbye', she walks gracefully back over to her friends.

• • • • • • •

The next days lessons were much more enjoyable than usual.
"Everyone, gather 'round! Gather 'round!" Hagrid booms happily to the surrounding fourth year students. "Got a real treat for yeh today!" At the giant man's feet lie several open crates. I thought perhaps our Care of Magical Creatures Professor had got himself another round of baby Blast-Ended Skrewts, but as Harry, Hermione, Ron and I draw closer I see clearly that these are definitely not Blast-Ended Skrewts. The creatures in the crates are rather adorable, actually. They're black and fuzzy with long, pink snouts and deep black eyes.
"These're Nifflers. Found mostly down mines and things. They like anything shiny. Thought we'd have a bit 'o fun with 'em today." Hagrid points to a patch of freshly turned earth some ten meters away. "I've buried some gold coins. Got a prize fer whosever Niffler digs up the most. Jus' er- take off yer valuables. Then choose a Niffler."

I unclasp the back of my small heart locket and take off my opal ring, stuffing the both of them in my robe pocket. I lean forward into the crate and pluck out a Niffler, holding it against my hip in a very motherly fashion. The cuddly creature stuffs its nose into my ear, sniffing enthusiastically. Upon further inspection, I see that the Niffler has a small pouch on its belly and scoop-shaped fingernails.

It was easily the most fun Care of Magical Creatures class we'd ever had. The Nifflers dived into the earth and dug around, returning minutes later with pouches full of shiny gold coins. Ron's Niffler was extremely efficient, and soon enough his lap was filled with Galleons.

"Alrigh', I reckon they've got the lot now. I on'y buried about a hundred." Hagrid announces. "Count yer coins, an' Goyle! There's no point tryin' ter steal any. It's leprechaun gold, it'll vanish after a few hours." Goyle sighs and empties his pockets.

It turns out that Ron's Niffler had been most efficient, and Hagrid rewarded him with a giant slab of Honeydukes chocolate.

As Care of Magical Creatures had been the last lesson for the day, Harry, Ron, Hermione and I all plod back to the castle. There is still an hour before dinner, and I wanted to make good use of it.

"Ruby, where are you going?" Hermione calls from behind me as I turn away from them and in the direction of Gryffindor tower.
"Way too much homework. I'll catch up with you guys later, okay?"
"Alright then." Ron says.
"See ya." Harry calls down the corridor after me.

❁ ❁ ❁ authors note ❁ ❁ ❁

Hi guys!! How are you? I hope you're awesome!! If you think my book is good enough to 'get noticed', please vote, comment and follow!! It would help so much 🫶🏻

Question of the chapter: what is your favourite place in Hogsmeade?
Answer here:                         ⇨⇨⇨⇨⇨⇨

Mine is Honeydukes, which is a clichè and generic answer, but it's a true one.

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Love you all lots, keep smiling 💐
~Jaz