Harry, Kat, and Spellbound ➩ Book 1 [Harry Potter] | #Wattys2016

[CHAPTER 16] More than a Break

"Snape. Almost. Caught. Me!" Irwin declared breathlessly, running towards Kataleen, who was eating with Ron, Hermione, Matrix, Arlin, and Albion some snacks at the open field

"What? What happened?" Matrix said, putting down a notebook on his lap.

"I saw him. He was speaking to Quirrel. They seemed friendly around each other, and were talking about their students. I followed him when he tried to go to the third floor, and nearly caught me if I wasn't able to dodge behind a plant display! This is way too risky. I've been nearly caught 4 days in a row!" Irwin yelled.

"Whoa. Okay. Calm down," said Harry, placing his sandwich beside him. "Nearly, okay? Nearly."

"Well hurry up looking for Flamel!" Irwin hissed, sitting between Albion and Kataleen. Then he realised Arlin was there. "Umm..."

"It's okay. Arlin knows," said Kataleen, placing an arm around Arlin's neck and patting Irwin's shoulder reassuringly.

"We're trying to. We're getting developments. There's some way to tame Fluffy, but we have to find out how," whispered Hermione. "We're visiting Hagrid's after our snacks. Join us and maybe we'll get some sorta information."

"Fine, whatever will make the process quicker. But I'm telling ya, it's too risky!"

"Nothing's too risky when it's your home that's at stake," said Harry, which was enough to silence a cross-armed Irwin taking cookies from a basket beside Kataleen.

Arlin looked at Irwin. "You're the Slytherin boy Kat here's friends with, right?"

"Um, obviously," said Irwin, making Albion nudge him.

"So. Hagrid won't probably say anything, but we can try. Searching for Flamel is harder than you think it is, Irwin," said Hermione.

Matrix looked at the snow-coated ground. "Well, maybe I can help. I mean, I may not stay for Christmas break, but I can help look once we get back. Muggles wouldn't understand our case."

"Tell me about it," said Hermione, rolling her eyes.

"Well. Let's finish our snacks and we can proceed."

"We can actually proceed if you'll finish eating that cookie, Ron. You've been on it for an hour," said Arlin, rolling his eyes as they all laughed.

Later on, they went to Hagrid's hut. Harry knocked. "Hagrid!"

"If it's you again, Harry, I'm not answ'rin' no questions! Now scram!"

Harry looked at the others in dismay. Kataleen scratched the back of her head, yelling, "Hagrid, please. We believe Snape is trying to steal whatever Fluffy's guarding."

"Ya get that crazy idea outta yer head!" Hagrid yelled, the doors bursting open inwards. "Besides, how could we? He's one o' them teachers tryin' to protect it --"

Clattering sounded inside, and they all looked at each other as Hagrid blocked the way. Harry looked up at him. "Hagrid, what was that?"

"Erm, nothing. Now quit yer meddlin'! You'd be bett'r off stayin' outta the stone subject!"

"Stone?" they all said, looking at each other with a glint of triumph in their eyes.

Hagrid was wide-eyed, then smacked his head. "I shouldn't have said that. I should not have said that. Go to yer classes!"

"Herbology's not until an hour, Hagrid!" Harry said with a smile, and they heard Hagrid gasp and then chuckle over something, curtains and door closed.

"I don't get why he has to close the window. I mean, looking at snow out the window's gorgeous," said Albion, looking at the cloudy sky.

"He must've sensed a snowstorm coming up. I do too. We'd better get back to the main grounds," said Hermione. All nodded, running towards the castle. With Christmas break coming tomorrow, they couldn't help but wonder what would happen in a week's break.