Idiosyncrasy |Harry Potter

Chapter Forty

Zakari was growing impatient with progress as they were nowhere near clearing a path for Harry or Duncan to return with Ginny. They had managed to clear a small part that at most, Duncan would be able to squeeze through, but Zakari had to hold out hope that Harry was going to return along with Ginny. They would never be able to get through there. His frustrations grew as he just wanted to get out of the condemned tunnel and it seemed Ron was feeling the same way as he threatened Lockhart who would not leave the boys alone.

Suddenly, to keep himself calm, Zakari squeezed his eyes shut and stood still. In that moment, he was able to block out everything that was going on around him and just find himself at peace. He had to calm himself down, by reassuring himself that everything was going to be just fine. They were going to get out of the tunnel, everything would return back to normal, he would see his parents and they would be happy to see him. Then he would be able to spend the summer with Ringo, something he was definitely looking forward to.

Yes, everything is going to be fine, he thought to himself. That was until Lockhart gave a tug on the boy's robe and Zakari finally snapped. He went to whip around and unleash hell on the grown man that continued to pester him, but the sudden movement of his arm caused the rock wall to give, clearing a large path for even someone of Hagrid's stature to pass through. 

Ron stared at the newly formed path that the boy next to him had created and quickly proceeded to take several steps back. He had no idea what else Zakari was capable of and he had already ruined the progress one time, he wasn't about to do it again. There was no telling what Zakari would be able to do to him. 

However, he no longer looked hostile in that moment as began to jump up and down clapping his hands together excitedly. He turned to Ron and wrapped his arms around him in a tight hug, still dancing about in place happily.  Ron appeared somewhat uneasy for the first few seconds, but he soon realized there was plenty to be happy about. Zakari had cleared the way, allowing Harry to make it back with Ginny and Duncan.

A bark in the distance alerted Ron first, bringing him to look over while Zakari was still hugging him. Unable to see anything in the darkness, he squinted his eyes while pulling away from Zakari's hold. He spun the boy around to face the way looking down the tunnel. In a matter of seconds, Duncan arrived on the scene, racing towards his owner.

Zakari let out a happy cry at the same time that Duncan let out an echoing bark. The boy dropped down to his knees allowing Duncan to barrel right into him as he reached their spot. 

Duncan quickly unleashed a series of kisses on the boy's face, lapping up the salty tears that emitted from Zakari's eyes. A few whining noises escaped from the corgi as he was so excited and happy to see that his owner was just fine. There wasn't even a mark on the child causing his little nub of a tail to wiggle about happily. Harry was close behind him, escorting Ginny beside him along with the large bird. 

Ron seemed more than thankful to see them as he raced over to his best friend and his younger sister. 

However, Duncan's full attention was placed back on Zakari who was trying to calm himself down. Lockart made a move to pat the top of the child's head in a comforting manner, but Duncan lunged in the man's direction, baring his teeth and growling. 

Zakari stopped him from attacking as he pushed himself up to his feet and lifted Duncan into his arms. Duncan settled in his owner's arms, but he kept his teeth exposed at Lockart, warning him to stay back. 

When Harry approached them, he made a motion to Zakari that he had to hold on. Zakari looked confused before looking down at Duncan for confirmation, but after everything that had happened to them on the other side of the tunnel, Duncan couldn't even bring himself to question anything. 

The child still wasn't catching on until Harry grabbed him by the arm and placed one of  Zakari's arms around his waist. 

The entire group was huddling about, while Zakari's face was turning redder than Ron's hairs and the feathers of the phoenix that had joined them. Lockart had to move places as Duncan snapped in the professor's direction when he got too close to Zakari.

With no other choice and feeling terribly confused, Zakari gripped onto Harry's robes, but the next event to take place would leave Zakari in shock for the remainder of the evening. The phoenix had the ability to carry all of them out of the tunnel as it flew upward returning them to the bathroom they had been in prior to sliding down. 

The group fell to the floor as they let go, watching as the entrance to the Chamber sealed up.  Everyone was quick to push themselves up to their feet, but Ron and Harry were at Zakari's side to help him up as he remained on the floor, just staring at the entrance. 

Once he was up, Zakari looked over at Ginny who looked shaken and tired. He made his way over to the girl and leaned his shoulder against her.

Ginny looked confused for a moment, looking to her brother and Harry for help.

"I think he's telling you that you can lean on him," Harry smiled. Ginny went to decline politely, but Zakari seemed insistent about it. She offered a smile before leaning against him as the group made their way to Professor McGonagall's office.

Zakari wasn't sure what to expect but he certainly didn't expect to find Professor McGonagall, Professor Dumbledore and two adults that greatly resembled Ginny and Ron. All the adults seemed to be in a state of shock when it came to seeing the group of students and Lockhart arriving. 

Although, the adults that Zakari assumd to be Ginny and Ron's parents looked beyond thrilled and relieved to see them as they ran over hugging their children tightly. The next part would involve Zakari standing awkwardly as everyone discussed everything that had happened that evening. Normally, he would be annoyed that he couldn't participate or add anything to the conversation, but in that moment, Zakari was just incredibly thankful that everyone was alright. 

He glanced down at Duncan who peered up at him, a happy wiggle coursing through his little body, thankful to be reunited with his best friend. 

Ginny was escorted out eventually to get some much-needed rest and going to bed sounded great to Zakari. However, before he was allowed to do so, Dumbledore had him stay behind with Harry and Ron. He saw Ron pointing at him while saying something to Dumbledore and he grew fearful that he was somehow in trouble.  But that wasn't the case at all as a quill began scribbling things down on the desk behind the man.

Suddenly, the piece of parchment paper made its way into Zakari's hands, prompting the boy to read what was written.

His eyes became wide and he stopped breathing for a moment as Dumbledore told him that he had earned the Slytherin house 200 points and would be receiving a special award for his services to the school.

The child dropped the paper from his hands and shook his head before looking up at Dumbledore. He didn't do anything to deserve such a thing but before he could protest any further, Ron walked over and clapped him on the back with a big grin on his face.