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

[CHAPTER 23] Encounters

"First we're comforting Hagrid and ourselves at Norbert's going. And now we've got bloody detention tomorrow night," said Ron, all dressed in pyjamas.

"Yeah. I'm definitely missing Norbert," sighed Kataleen.

"Hopefully detention isn't anything harsh. Lucky Matrix here wasn't caught," said Albion, nudging Matrix, who was still in his student's robes while using an inhaler and doing his homework.

Matrix looked at him, shrugging. "Guess my asthma warned me."

"What luck. And besides, Al, it's not like we're living in the 12th century and they're hanging us upside down in the dungeons," said Kataleen, rolling on the couch.

"Guys, remind me not to join your nonsense in the daily so I wouldn't get myself in trouble," said Hermione suddenly, brushing her hair to her side.

Kataleen glared at her. "Hermione, you're my best friend, honest. Still, you can become a big dratted pixie sometimes. You're not the only one upset over getting detention and losing 250 points to Gryffindor, y'know!"

Hermione glared at her back as she continued brushing her hair, as Harry got between them. "Hermione, Kat, let's just calm down and go to bed, will we? Aside from having tests tomorrow we've got detention at night."

"Yeah. So don't bother being surprised being seen hanging upside down on the Whomping Willow at daybreak," said Albion teasingly, making Hermione look at him, horrified.

Kataleen can't help but burst out laughing. "Well that's news. I wonder where Arlin's been these days."

"Arlin?" Ron echoed. "He's been too busy with his studies. I didn't really see him around much."

"Well, I'll brief him on updates once we see him," said Kataleen, just as the portrait flung open.

Arlin was there, rubbing his eyes with a thick book bound in leather tucked under his arm. When he stopped rubbing his eyes he widened his eyes upon seeing them by the fireplace. "Hey."

"Hey. Where were you? We saw a Norwegian Ridgeback, comforted a sulking Hagrid, and got detention and we haven't seen your shadow!" Kataleen burst, kneeling on her couch to face him.

"Important business," he said, ruffling her hair with a smile. "If you'll excuse me I'm letting you do whatever you want with or without involving the philosopher's stone while I, for one, go to bed."

They all just looked at him with disbelieving, wide eyes as he entered his dorm. When he closed the door, Kataleen shrieked, "Is that it?! After we asked for his assistance in protecting that stone he's saying that?!"

"Some big brother," scoffed Ron.

"Well. Tomorrow we're facing detention and from then on, we're studying for a change, " said Hermione.

"Yeah. 'For a change,'" said Albion sarcastically, making quotation marks in the air as Hermione glared at him sideways and slapped his shoulder hard.

"I'm going to bed as well. Everything else is happening suddenly and I don't want to be shocked," said Matrix with a yawn, closing his book.

"Yeah. And you're the one who didn't get detention!" Albion exclaimed as he waved them off and entered his dorm.

"Looks like we're all off to bed. I don't know if we're finding out more about the stone or anything but for sure, it's gonna be some long months ahead," said Hermione, standing up.