ᵖʳᵒᵘᵈ ᵖᵃʳᵉⁿᵗˢ ; ʰᵃʳᵐⁱᵒⁿᵉ ✓

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter 36 - Pups, Pranks and Punishments

Cedric was suffering from information and emotional overload. Everything he'd seen and heard about the Institute had in no way prepared Cedric for the experience of actually visiting the place. Case in point was their visit to the library during their tour. As quidditch players, they had all seen the Quibbler pictures of the Institute's first quidditch match. Here though was displayed a picture of their team, before the match. It was one figure in particular that caught Cedric's eye, and he had to check the names underneath to make sure he had the witch's identity correct.

Indicating who he was commenting on, Cedric blurted out the first thing that came into his mind. "I don't remember her smiling this much at Hogwarts. In fact, I don't remember her ever smiling at all."

Fred couldn't resist. "This isn't Hogwarts, Cedric, everyone smiles more here."

His twin was of course quick on the uptake. "Yeah, even Percy smiles since he came to the Institute."

Since his elder brother was standing behind them smiling, the Weasley twins were actually being believed. It would appear absolutely everything was different here.

As Cedric sat at dinner, her musical laughter entrapping him like a siren's song - before being interrupted by George politely nudging him in the ribs.

"We don't sit and stare at people here. If you want to get to know her, go over - introduce yourself - and ask if you can join their table. It happens every day here, almost every meal, so don't make a big thing out of it - because they won't."

Fred also offered some advice. "She's a lovely witch, and friends with practically everyone - including us. This is another benefit of our classes being so small."

"The slight downside to that is the staff miss nothing. Step out of line and the Headmistress will be down on you like a ton of bricks."

While agreeing with his twin, Fred didn't want that possibility putting Cedric off. "We're all going to be busy from tomorrow, when the orphanage arrives. Tonight might be your only chance for a quiet chat."

Percy then chipped in with some information his brothers didn't know. "Miss Greengrass is not actually staying for the full holiday. Her father managed to arrange for Professor de Marco to do some consulting work for him - he's hoping the Professor will be able to offer advice on modernising his businesses. Daphne and Astoria will accompany the Professor back to Britain next week."

Putting down his knife and fork, Cedric lifted his glass of juice and made his way over to the table that thankfully - due to most of the students heading home today - had a few empty seats.

"Hi, I'm Cedric. Do you mind if I join you?"

A smiling Daphne quickly answered the handsome seeker.

"Sure, grab a seat. We're all dying to know what's been happening in Hogwarts..."

-oOoOo-

Albus was determined that things were going to change around here. Stuck on his iron bed, with that metal not even allowing the comfort of a cushioning charm to be applied, his old body had developed sores. Since the iron room also prevented the use of healing magic, only lotions or potions would be effective in this location.

The old wizard had developed a respectful fear of Mr Smith, with only his mastery of Occlumency ruling out Albus having his mind read. This didn't change the fact that Smith appeared to be, as unbelievable as that seemed, two steps ahead of him at every turn. Anything that Albus didn't understand, he couldn't control. Not being in control terrified Albus, and no matter what he tried the old wizard couldn't wrestle the slightest smidgen of control over his current situation - or Smith.