Reaper's Heir (Book 3)

Chapter 8

Chapter VIII

Once we were out of Honeydukes and farther down the street, we shed the invisibility cloak and made our way down the street, our feet crunching through the snow. Main Street bustled with people as students ducked in and out of different shops, carrying armfuls of quidditch gear, clothing, or sweets.

"So where do we want to go?" I asked, looking around.

Harry stuck his hands in his pockets. "Hermione mentioned that she'd be forcing Ron to go to the shrieking shack this time. Apparently, he didn't want to and talked her out of it last time."

"I'm amazed he was able to talk her out of it," I replied. "I'm for it. Which way?" We found signs pointing the way and followed a path into the woods. Soon enough, we came upon the shrieking shack. Ron and Hermione were by a fence, but they hadn't seen us yet. Harry started down the slope to them, but I grabbed his arm and dragged him back when I heard a familiar voice coming from behind us. Just as we slipped behind some trees, Malfoy appeared, Crabbe and Pike following behind him. I wasn't sure where Goyle was, but Malfoy had had Pike trailing after him and Theodore Nott lately, so maybe something had happened with Goyle. Either way, I didn't really care, but I didn't see how Pike could be useful to Malfoy. He was skinny and seemed somewhat cowardly. Goyle at least had some height and weight that made him look intimidating at first glance.

"Well, well. Look who's here. You two shopping for your dream home? Seems a bit grand for you, Weasel-Bee. Don't your family all sleep in one room?" Harry stepped out from the trees, his face angry. He flung the cloak over himself, disappearing instantly. I followed his footprints through the snow, trying to hang back so I wouldn't be noticed.

"Shut your mouth, Malfoy." Ron snapped.

"Now that's not very friendly. Boys, I think we're going to have to teach Weasel-Bee to respect his superiors."

Hermione laughed harshly. "Hope you don't mean yourself."

"How dare you speak to me, you filthy, little mudblood!"

I whipped my wand out and muttered a spell, snowballs rapidly forming in front of me. Silently hoping I'd done it right, I flicked my wand, sending the barrage of snowballs in Malfoy's direction. He, Crabbe, and Pike were pelted with snowballs, growing their arms up to protect themselves.

"Who did that?" I heard Malfoy shout. I ducked behind a nearby tree just to be safe, but crept to the top of the slope, a little ways away from the group. "Well, don't just stand there!" Crabbe and Pike started after Ron and Hermione when they fell headfirst into the snow. Malfoy backed away fearfully, eying the mist. "Wait a minute, there's something out here!" His hat was pulled over his eyes and he was spun about, before jerking forward and stumbling like he'd been kicked. Pike was briefly dragged around before all three of them got up and ran out of the clearing.

I made my way down into the clearing as something began messing with Ron's hat and Hermione's hair. "Harry?"

Hermione laughed, trying and failing to remain serious. "Harry!"

The invisibility cloak dropped to the ground, revealing a grinning Harry. He turned to me as I joined them. "Where did you learn that snowball spell?"

"Fred and George taught it to me in first year."

"Bloody hell, Harry! That was not funny!" Ron looked mildly uncomfortable, but he started smiling soon enough.

We trudged through the snow, back towards Hogsmeade. Harry was telling Ron and Hermione about the map and how we'd gotten into town.

"Those weasels! Never told me about any Marauder's Map!" Ron grumbled.

"But Harry isn't going to keep it." Hermione interrupted. "He's going to turn it over to Professor McGonagall, aren't you?"