The following morning, notes were delivered to Aly and Draco at the breakfast table.
They were both the same:
Your detention will take place at eleven o'clock tonight. Meet Mr. Filch in the entrance hall
Professor McGonagall
Aly noticed over at the Gryffindor table, and saw Harry, Hermione, and Madi all got a note too. She wondered if Professor McGonagall actually caught them.
At eleven o'clock that night, she said good-bye to Pansy and Daphne in the common room and went down to the entrance hall with Draco. Filch was already there — and so were Harry, Madi, and Hermione.
"Follow me," said Filch, lighting a lamp and leading them outside. "I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't you, eh?" he said, leering at them. "Oh yes... hard work and pain are the best teachers if you ask me.... It's just a pity they let the old punishments die out... hang you by your wrists from the ceiling for a few days, I've got the chains still in my office, keep 'em well oiled in case they're ever needed.... Right, off we go, and don't think of running off, now, it'll be worse for you if you do."
They marched off across the dark grounds. Aly wondered what their punishment was going to be. It must be something really horrible, or Filch wouldn't be sounding so delighted.
"How did you guys get detention?" Aly whispered to Madi.
"Forgot the invisibility cloak in the astronomy tower before coming back down and got caught by Filch,"
Aly nodded and couldn't help but notice the glare Harry sent her way every time they made eye contact.
"Whats wrong with him?" Aly asked Madi once more.
She shrugged, "I think he's mad that you were with Draco trying to catch us,"
Aly gaped, "You know that's not what happened —"
"I know! But they wont listen to a word I say,"
Aly sighed and just continued walking. The moon was bright, but clouds scudding across it kept throwing them into darkness. Ahead, Aly could see the lighted windows of Hagrid's hut. Then they heard a distant shout.
"Is that you, Filch? Hurry up, I want ter get started."
Aly's heart rose; if they were going to be working with Hagrid it wouldn't be so bad. Her relief must have showed in her face, because Filch said, "I suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourself with that oaf? Well, think again, girl — it's into the forest you're going and I'm much mistaken if you'll all come out in one piece."
At this, Aly let out a little groan, and Draco stopped dead in his tracks.
"The forest?" he repeated, and he didn't sound quite as cool as usual. "We can't go in there at night — there's all sorts of things in there — werewolves, I heard."
Aly clutched the sleeve of Madi's robe on impulse and made a choking noise. Usually she's pretty brave, but she's heard countless of terrifying stories from Pansy's older sister that she couldn't help but be scared.
Madi patted her on the back comfortingly.
"That's your problem, isn't it?" said Filch, his voice cracking with glee. "Should've thought of them werewolves before you got in trouble, shouldn't you?"
Hagrid came striding toward them out of the dark, Fang at his heel. He was carrying his large crossbow, and a quiver of arrows hung over his shoulder.
"Abou' time," he said. "I bin waitin' fer half an hour already. All right, Harry, Hermione, Madi, Aly?"
