Hidden In These Walls

CHAPTER EIGHT

 A few days had passed and at this point, I was staying in a damn cave with this mysterious dog. He led me there the first day since no one else seemed to listen to my cries for help. I knew that if Madam Pomfrey knew about how one of her staff was acting he would have gotten a chewing out. My stomach churned by how hungry I was. I was lucky enough to conjure up a few things, but not enough to keep myself taken care of, along with that much magic being used in the past couple of days I was exhausted. On top of that, I had a dog to take care of too. I needed to figure out something fast.

I wandered back into Hogsmeade village trying to find someone, anyone that would listen to me. I tried once more to talk to different people, most of who ignored me completely, calling me homeless trash or a bum. I tried desperately telling them that I was not homeless, and even if I was the way they were treating me was atrocious. I tried asking for Madam Pomfrey, to which the gentleman told me to bugger off, that she wouldn't see the likes of me.

The sun had already hit mid-day and I was beginning to give up. Maybe it was best to go somewhere else? With how hungry I was, I couldn't think straight and there wasn't one place that I could think of to go to. Maybe I could scrounge for scraps? Then again by this time they barely had any traffic, classes hadn't started yet, so there was no use trying to look in the garbage–

"Ozwald?" I heard a sweet voice, and I glanced up from my spot on the ground to see Professor McGonagall who walked over quite briskly with a frown of concern etched on her face, "Ozwald, it is you!"

I jumped up from my spot, I had never been happier to see her, "Professor!" I grunted almost falling over. She gasped and rushed over. The dog by my side whined and pawed at my side. She kneeled over, "My boy, what happened to you?" She gazed at my face with heavy concern, then I watched as her eyes flitted over to the scraggly-looking mutt. I could see a flash of recognition in her eyes, but she quickly turned her attention back to me, "Ozwald why are you here?"

"Professor..." I tried to keep myself from tearing up, but I was relieved and distraught all at once, "I... Moody... And the Cup..." I strained out as tears began to stream down my face, I couldn't stop them at that point. The dog whined and nuzzled his snout against my cheek. My lip wobbled and I sighed, "I came here... a few days ago. I was with Arthur Weasley and his family at the World Cup, and things... Things went so badly Professor..."

Her face fell and she looked around for a moment, "Here, up you get my boy," She held her hand out, helping me up off the damp, dewy ground. I brushed my hands off onto my now drabby clothes and gave a sigh and smack of my lips. I was so parched at this point, my voice was croaky, "Professor..."

She gently shushed me, "Let's get you inside, when was the last time you had a drink?"

"A few days ago... I tried to get in..." She held onto my arm gently guiding me to the Three Broomsticks front door. She wouldn't listen as I tried to protest.

"Oi! Get away from the damn door!" It was that same nasty man. He hobbled over, limping on one of his legs. I gulped as I turned to meet his gaze, his sunken eyes piercing and rage-filled.

"Excuse me?" Professor McGonagall's voice turned cold, "Just who do you think you're talking to!"

The man obviously recognized her, and his small angry eyes shot open wide. His movements slowed and he gulped down a large breath, his bumbling behavior simmering down, "Professor McGonagall..." He muttered. Thankfully with only a glare, she pushed her way inside. The dog had followed behind silently. The warmth of the fire. Oh, how I missed it.

Madam Rosmerta wandered over, "Ah! McGonagall!" She smiled brightly.

"Ah, hello Rosmerta, by chance do you have an open room, and you don't mind the dog? He's being a big help right now," Rosmerta nodded and pointed up the stairs, "I don't mind! Just right up there!" McGonagall thanked her and asked her for drinks. We made our way slowly up the stairs, and once in the cozy room, we settled, "Now, tell me everything..."

It all came spilling out. I told her about being at the World Cup with the Weasleys, about the vision I had there, the sense of dread, about the people in dark robes, Moody... By the time I was through I hadn't realized it but I was in tears. I only realized this when the dog licked the tears away. I sniffed and hugged the dog, petting his head.

McGonagall sat beside me on the couch and gently shushed me, rubbing my shoulder and trying her best to console me, "It's alright, Oz, It's not your fault what happened..."

"I... I don't know what to do... I don't have anywhere safe to go...." I sobbed into soft fur. The dog whined and put a paw up on my shoulder as if to reassure me. Professor hummed, "Well, there's not much I can do... but I may be able to give you somewhere safe to lay low."