human again / hp.

Chapter 18

The Gryffindor common room was unnervingly quiet as we descended the stairs, the flickering fire casting long shadows on the walls. My heart pounded, not just from the anticipation of what lay ahead, but from the nagging fear of the consequences. Every step felt like a rebellion against my upbringing, and the weight of that defiance pressed heavily on me.

A soft croak broke the silence. Trevor.

"Trevor," Harry muttered urgently, his tone sharp with frustration. "Trevor, shh! Go! You shouldn't be here!"

Before we could react, Neville stepped out from behind a chair, his expression resolute but his body shaking. "Neither should you!" His voice was accusing, his fists clenched as though he was ready to throw a punch—though I doubted he had the nerve to follow through.

"Neville," Harry began, his voice soft and persuasive. "Listen, we were—"

"No!" Neville's voice trembled but rose defiantly. "I won't let you! You'll get Gryffindor into trouble again! I—I'll fight you!"

I exchanged a look with Hermione. Her expression shifted from guilt to resolution as she pulled her wand from her robe.

"Neville, I'm really, really sorry about this," she said, her tone tinged with regret. "Petrificus Totalus."

The spell hit Neville instantly, his body locking up like a board. He wobbled for a moment before crashing backward onto the rug with a dull thud. My stomach clenched at the sight, guilt gnawing at me. He was trying to protect us, but we didn't have the time to explain.

Ron let out a nervous laugh. "You're a little scary sometimes, Hermione. Brilliant, but scary."

As we stepped over Neville's prone form, I glanced down at him. His wide, terrified eyes stared up at us. "Sorry, Neville," I murmured, but my words felt empty.

Under the Invisibility Cloak, the corridors stretched endlessly before us, dimly lit and silent but for the occasional creak of stone. Harry led the way, his determination palpable. Hermione whispered something about the route, but I hardly heard her. My thoughts were elsewhere.

What will Father do when he finds out about this?

It wasn't just a question of punishment. His anger was legendary, his ability to wound with words honed to a razor's edge. I could almost hear him now 

Foolish. Disobedient. Unworthy of the Malfoy name.

"You all right?" Hermione whispered, her voice barely audible under the cloak.

I forced a nod, swallowing hard. "Yeah. Just... nerves."

When we reached the door to Fluffy's room, Hermione took out her wand, her hand steady despite the tension in the air. "Alohomora," she whispered. The lock clicked open, and the door creaked as we stepped inside.

The room was warm and heavy with the smell of dog. Fluffy lay sprawled across the floor, all three heads snoring softly. The harp lay nearby, its strings still vibrating faintly from an enchantment.

"He's... asleep," Harry whispered, his eyes narrowing. "Snape's already been here."

Ron grimaced. "Ugh, his breath is awful."

Harry ignored Ron, his focus on the door beneath Fluffy's enormous paw. "We have to move it," he said quietly. "Come on, help me."

"You want me to what?!" Ron whispered harshly, his voice rising slightly in disbelief.

"Help me move its paw," Harry insisted. "Quickly."

Reluctantly, Ron joined Harry, the two of them straining to shift the massive limb. I hung back with Hermione, my wand ready, heart pounding as Fluffy snorted and stirred.

"Got it!" Harry hissed, as the paw slid off the trapdoor with a dull thud.

But the harp's melody faltered, and Fluffy's snoring ceased. A low growl rumbled through the air. Hermione turned to us, her face pale. "The harp... it stopped playing."

Drool dripped from one of Fluffy's heads onto Ron's shoulder. He froze, his face contorting in disgust. "Ew! Yuck!"

"Jump!" Harry shouted, diving into the trapdoor just as Fluffy lunged.

The fall was faster than I expected, air rushing past me as I tumbled into darkness. My landing was cushioned by something soft and slightly slimy. For a brief moment, I thought we were safe.

"What is this stuff?" Ron muttered, brushing his hands against the dark, ropey vines that cushioned us.

The answer came too soon. The vines moved. They slithered and coiled around us, tightening like living ropes. Panic surged as they began to constrict my arms and legs.

"Stop moving, all of you!" Hermione's voice was sharp and urgent. "This is Devil's Snare. If you struggle, it'll only kill you faster."

"Kill us faster?!" Ron yelped, thrashing more as the vines wound tighter. "Oh, now I can relax!"

Despite the tension, I almost laughed at the absurdity of it all. "Ron, just breathe," I managed, my voice steadier than I felt. "We'll get through this."

I forced myself to breathe deeply, my heart hammering in my chest. Slowly, the vines loosened, their grip slackening as I let my body go limp. I slipped through their grasp, falling again before landing on hard stone.

Hermione had already disappeared below, leaving Harry and me to fight against the tightening grip. My chest felt constricted, the weight of the vines pressing against me.

"Celeste, just relax!" Hermione's voice called from below, faint but commanding.

I forced myself to breathe deeply, willing my body to go slack. The vines hesitated, then released their hold. I fell through the plant, landing on solid ground with a jarring thud. Hermione helped me up, and together we waited for Harry. He appeared moments later, brushing himself off.

Ron's screams echoed above us. "HELP! HERMIONE! CELESTE!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "He's not relaxing, is he?"

"Does he ever?" I muttered.

"Ron's still stuck," Harry said, his voice tinged with worry. "We need to help him."

Hermione frowned, wracking her brain. "Wait. Devil's Snare hates sunlight. I read that in Herbology!"

Wasting no time, she pointed her wand upward. "Lumos Solem!" A beam of bright light shot out, and the vines recoiled with a shriek. Moments later, Ron fell through, landing in an unceremonious heap.

"Lucky we didn't panic," Ron muttered, brushing himself off.

"Lucky Hermione pays attention in Herbology," Harry retorted, grinning at her.

I smiled, though my mind was elsewhere. If Father saw me here... The thought made my stomach twist. He wouldn't just be angry—he'd be livid. I could already hear his cold voice.

 You've shamed us again, Celeste. What would people think if they knew what you've done? How you've failed?

"Celeste?" Harry's voice broke through my thoughts.

"Hm?" I blinked, realizing I'd been standing still while the others moved ahead.

"You okay?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

I nodded quickly, forcing a smile. "Yeah. I'm fine."

But I wasn't. Every step deeper into this adventure felt like another blow to the fragile truce between me and my family. And yet, I couldn't turn back. Not now. Whatever awaited us beyond this challenge, I had to face it. For Harry. For Hermione. For Ron.

And for myself.