The True Girl Who Lived

chapter fifteen

Everyone was enjoying their dinner. Very interested to see what happens now . And what exactly will in that .

Then all was cleaned up.

McGonagall stood up said in a loud voice. We watch two more and then have dessert. And if there anymore we read them to".

Chapter fifteen
The forbidden forest

Things couldn't have been worse. Filch took them down to professor McGonagall's study on the first floor , where they sat and waited without saying a word to each other. Hermione was trembling. While albus was leaning back ralexed acting like he's not gonna get into trouble. Excuse, alibis and wild cover up stories chased each other around Holly's brain , each more feeble than the last. She couldn't see how they were going to get out of trouble this time. They were cornered . How could they have been so stupid as to forget the cloak? There was no reason on earth that professor McGonagall would accept for their being out of bed and creeping around the school in the dead of night, let alone being up the tallest astronomy tower , which was out of bounds except for classes. Add Norbert and invisibility cloak and they might as well be packing their bags already. Had holly thought that things couldn't have been worse? She was wrong. When professor McGonagall appeared , she was leading Neville.

" Oh sweetie, what are you doing out of bed? Ask Esme.

Neville blushed " you see".

" Holly "! Neville burst out , the moment he saw the other three . " I was trying to find you to warn you , I heard Malfoy saying he was going to catch you, he said you had a drag_".

" You were warning them". Said Esme .

Neville nodded.

Holly shook her head violently to shut Neville up , but professor McGonagall had seen . She looked more likely to breath fire than Norbert as she towered over the four of them.

" Really miss potter". McGonagall look at holly.

As other laugh.

" You were really mad". Said holly.

McGonagall " and for good reason".

" I would never have believed it of any of you ". Mr filch says you were up the astronomy tower". " It's one o'clock in the morning ". " Explain yourselves ". It was the first time Hermione had ever failed to answer a teacher's question. She was staring at her slippers , as still as a statue. " I think I've got a good idea of what's Been going on ', said professor McGonagall. " It doesn't take a genius to work it out". " You fed Draco Malfoy some cock and bull story about a dragon , trying to get him out of bed and into trouble ". " I've already caught him.  " I suppose you think it's funny that Longbottom here heard the story and believed it, too"?

" Sorry Neville, you know we never wanted you to know". Said holly.

Neville smiled " it's ok".

Holly caught Neville's eye and tried to tell him without words that this wasn't true , because Neville was looking stunned and hurt. Poor , blundering Neville _ holly knew what it must have cost him to try and find them in the dark , to warn them. Just as professor McGonagall was gonna say something, filch comes in and said " Mr albus potter have been excuse from punishment".

What! Yelled everyone but the order and professors.

" Very well ". Holly couldn't believe it as albus walk out like he owns it. Then the door closed. Holly she's the corner of her eyes how Hermione and Neville was wide eyes. Looks like they didn't know about this either.  " Now where was I ? Said McGonagall to herself . " Oh yes". " I'm disgusted ', said professor McGonagall. " Four students out of bed in one night! " I've never heard of such a thing before!