𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 - Harry Potter x Fem!Reader¹

13.. ARAGOG

Summer was creeping over the grounds around the castle; sky and lake alike turned periwinkle blue and flowers large as cabbages burst into bloom in the greenhouses. But with no Hagrid visible from the castle windows, striding the grounds with Fang at his heels, the scene didn't look right to Y/N; no better, in fact, than the inside of the castle, where things were so horribly wrong.

There was indeed another petrification the morning after Dumbledore was gone. Jonathan had been found in the boy's bathroom, rigid on the cold, stone floor. Harry hadn't been taking the news very well.

Y/N and Ron tried to beg Madam Pomfrey so that Harry could visit Jonathan, but visitors were now barred from the hospital wing.

"We're taking no more chances," Madam Pomfrey told them severely through a crack in the infirmary door. "No, I'm sorry, L/N, Weasley, there's every chance the attacker might come back to finish these people off..."

Ginny also hadn't been acting very well after Jonathan got petrified. Y/N figured that it was because they had grown used to one another. She understood, and tried to comfort Harry and Ginny whenever she could.

The next day was a Saturday, and Y/N and Ron both agreed to take matters into their own hands after breakfast. Ron would sneak his sister into the kitchens (he promised Y/N that he would protect both of them) while Y/N and Harry would walk around the halls, of course being careful to stay with the other students and not stray away into empty corridors.

Ron wolfed down his breakfast as quickly as possible. He said a quick goodbye to Y/N and Harry, which only the former returned, and walked over to Ginny, who he had been eyeing worriedly the entire meal. Y/N watched them leave the Great Hall, Ron whispering something to Ginny, making her crack a weak, shaky smile.

Y/N looked at Harry, who was absentmindedly picking at his food and refusing to eat anything. She gently nudged his shoulder.

"Hey, do you want to walk around a bit?" she offered kindly. "We won't go into any empty corridors by ourselves, just wander the halls for a bit."

Harry glanced up at her. Her voice seemed to yank him back from wherever his mind had wandered to. His gaze fell back onto his food, which he'd barely touched. He gave her a small nod, pushing his plate away.

And with that, they stood up and left the Great Hall together.

At first, they walked in silence. Their footsteps echoed loudly in the halls, which were usually filled with chatter and laughter that the hushed whispers coming from the other students felt strange and almost unnatural.

It was usually Harry that started conversations, but he clearly wasn't in the mood right now. Personally, Y/N didn't mind the silence, but she figured that Harry was probably sinking in his own negative thoughts. She couldn't let that continue, but she also didn't want to press.

As they walked through the quiet halls, Y/N stole a glance at Harry. His shoulders were slumped, and his brow was furrowed in thought. She bit the inside of her cheek, searching for something — anything — that might lift his spirits, if only for a moment.

"Hey, Harry," she began softly, "remember the first time you saw the Great Hall? What was it like for you?"

Harry blinked, turning his head to look at her.

"Yeah, of course I remember," he said, his voice still slightly subdued. "It was really cool — nothing like I'd ever seen before. The floating candles, the enchanted ceiling... It was like stepping into another world."

"I get what you mean," said Y/N, her voice softer still.

Harry managed a weak smile.

"What about you?" he asked. "Must've been especially crazy for you, especially since you've grown up with Muggles all your life."