Here we were again. Stuck in our common rooms because Sirius Black had entered the castle again and attempted to attack Gryffindor Tower. The teachers were now searching the entire castle once again. The whole house had stayed awake in the common room, waiting to hear whether Black had been caught. Professor Snape came back at dawn, to tell them that he had again escaped. We all groaned and headed back to bed. That morning throughout the day, everywhere they went they saw signs of tighter security. Professor Flitwick could be seen teaching the front doors to recognize a large picture of Sirius Black.
Filch was suddenly bustling up and down the corridors, boarding up everything from tiny cracks in the walls to mouse holes. Sir Cadogan had been fired. His portrait had been taken back to its lonely landing on the seventh floor, and the Fat Lady was back. She had been expertly restored, but was still extremely nervous, and had agreed to return to her job only on condition that she was given extra protection. A bunch of surly security trolls had been hired to guard her. They paced the corridor in a menacing group, talking in grunts and comparing the size of their clubs. Honestly how hard could it be to keep someone out.
Especially when everyone is looking for him and dementors at the school attacking students because they can't find Black! But on happier news it was again time for another Hogsmeade trip. I first headed to a clothes shop with Lucille and Astoria. They had begged me to come with them. I had already made many excuses not to go before so this time I had to. I gritted my teeth and pretended to be interested in dresses as they went around goggling at them. As soon as we were finished they were going to head to another clothes shop. So I did the thing anyone would do. I told them I would catch them later and sprinted away. Thankfully I spotted Draco so I walked over to see what he was up to.
" ... should have an owl from Father any time now. He had to go to the hearing to tell them about my arm... about how I couldn't use it for three months...." Crabbe and Goyle sniggered. "I really wish I could hear that great hairy moron trying to defend himself... 'There's no 'arm in 'im, 'onest that hippogriff's as good as dead — "
"Buckbeaks dead?" I ask in confusion as I walk up next to him.
"Hopefully, Fathers got a execution date and everything!" He said excitedly. I just nodded my head not wanting to pick a fight. I was genuinely said that he would be executed. He was a very nice hippogriff. We continued to walk when Malfoy suddenly caught sight of Ron. His pale face split in a malevolent grin.
"What are you doing, Weasley?" Malfoy looked up at the crumbling house behind Ron. "Shopping for your dream house?" Ron looked up angry.
"Suppose You'd love to live here, wouldn't you, Weasley? Dreaming about having your own bedroom? I heard your family all sleep in one room — is that true?" I saw something move from beside Ron but there was nothing there. Like a invisible force.
"We were just discussing your friend Hagrid," Draco said to Ron. "Just trying to imagine what he's saying to the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. D'you think he'll cry when they cut off his hippogriff's-"
SPLAT. Malfoy's head jerked forward as the snow hit him; his silverblond hair was suddenly covered with flurries. I burst out laughing.
"What the — ?"
Ron had to hold onto the fence to keep himself standing, he was laughing so hard. Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle spun stupidly on the spot, staring wildly around, Malfoy trying to wipe his hair clean.
"What was that? 'Who did that?"
"Very haunted up here, isn't it?" said Ron, with the air of one commenting on the weather. Crabbe and Goyle were looking scared. Their bulging muscles were no use against ghosts. Malfoy was staring madly around at the deserted landscape.
