Harry Potter and the Original Tribrid

Chapter 15 - Into the Woods

Two hundred points! That's what the Gryffindor team had lost for their nighttime stroll to the Astronomy tower, not that Hope would've cared if she wasn't involved. And they would be having detention. Professor McGonagall was livid. She thought the three of them had done some elaborate prank about some dragon to get Malfoy in trouble, and Neville, who had overheard Malfoy talking about busting them, had become collateral damage, in his effort to warn them. If only she knew the truth.

Weeks passed and exams were drawing closer, and according to Harry, Quirrell had folded and told Snape all about how to break his defense of the Stone. Hope didn't bother trying to argue but she was aligned in needing to protect the stone after what she had seen - or at least from what she could remember about her visions; there was still a veil that obscured much of it. She couldn't put a finger on it, but she did remember that there was a connection between the stone and the dragon egg. It only gave her a headache when she tried to recall anything more.

At breakfast, a week before the exams, notes were delivered to Hope and her friends along with Neville. They were all the same:

Your detention will take place at eleven o'clock tonight. Meet Mr Filch in the Entrance Hall.

Prof. M. McGonagall

At eleven o'clock that night, they said goodbye to Ron in the common room, who had been lucky because there wasn't room under the Cloak and couldn't become invisible using the spell that Hope used. Neville joined them as they went down to the entrance hall. Filch was already there - and so was Malfoy.

"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 continued, 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 wrist 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. Neville kept sniffling. Hope wondered what their punishment was going to be. It must be something dreadful, or Filch wouldn't be sounding so delighted.

The moon was bright, but clouds scudding across it kept throwing them into darkness. They neared Hagrid's hut when there was a distant shout, "Is that you, Filch? Hurry up, I want ter get started."

So, the detention was going to be with Hagrid; could've been a lot worse. Hope could see a relieved expression on Harry's face.

"I suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourself with that oaf?" sneered Filch as he saw the relief on Harry. "Well, think again, boy - it's into the Forest you're going and I'm much mistaken if you'll all come out in one piece."

At this, Neville let out a little moan and Malfoy 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 are all sorts of things in there - werewolves, I heard."

Hope didn't know if Malfoy was right or not, or if it were just rumors. But it wouldn't surprise her. The moon was full and shining bright, and Hope did feel a pull towards the Dark Forest, but that could be for any number of reasons. She grew up in and around the Bayou; a forest would always call to her, it was in her blood.

Hagrid came striding towards them out of the dark, Fang at his heel, and pushed past Filch who seemed to be thinking of some demeaning words to spew. He was carrying his large crossbow, and a quiver of arrows hung over his shoulder.