At Last//Harry Potter [1]

14

The troll incident had certainly brought Autumn, Hermione, Ron, and Harry together. Whether it was Autumn's words or the trolls action — or both— that caused it, Autumn doesn't know. What she does know is that she likes their company.

The warm September weather from the beginning of the year had gone away. The cold November weather had arrived -- the air was cold enough to see your breath, if you paid attention.

The four sat in the cold courtyard, wearing as many layers as they could. Hermione had conjured a bright blue fire that could be carried around in a jam jar, helping them stay warm. They all noticed Snape walking across the yard, eyeing the children. The four moved their bodies to try to block the fire; they were sure it wasn't allowed. But, Snape walked over anyway. Autumn noticed a limp in Snape's walk. It was subtle, but it was there.

"What's that you've got there, Potter?"

Harry showed him the book he was reading -- he had just gotten it from the library a few moments before they went to the courtyard.

"Library books are not to be taken outside the school," said Snape. "Give it to me. Five points from Gryffindor."

"He's just made that rule up," Harry muttered angrily as Snape limped away. "Wonder what's wrong with his leg?"

"Dunno, but I hope it's really hurting him," said Ron bitterly.

Autumn, for once, agreed.

>>>

A few hours later, the four were still doing homework. Sure, they couldn't gotten the assignments done in the time given, but the four — mainly excluding Hermione — messed around and talked, procrastinating.

Hermione had finished her homework for the week, and she was now reading for fun. Autumn finished her homework for the next few days, but was studying potions. Ron and Harry were still working on the homework due the next day.

"I'm going to ask Snape if I can have the book back," Harry said suddenly, as if he had been thinking about it for a while.

"Better you than me," Ron said, Autumn agreeing silently.

Harry stood from his chair and exited through the portrait hole, not saying a word.

After a few moments of silence, Ron groaned and put his head on the table. "I don't even know what I'm writing about anymore," Ron muttered. "I've been writing the same thing using different words for the past ten minutes." Ron took his head off of the table. "Do you think Snape will notice?"

Autumn immediately nodded. "Without a doubt."

>>>

"Did you get it?" Ron asked Harry as Autumn walked down the spiral staircase. She had just put her books away for a moment, and it seems like she had missed everything.

"What's the matter?" Autumn asked as she sat down next to Hermione.

In a low whisper, Harry told them what he'd seen: Snape's leg had been bitten by the giant dog.

"You know what this means?" Ron finished breathlessly. "He tried to get past that three-headed dog at Halloween! That's where he was going when we saw him! He's after whatever it's guarding! And I'd bet my broomstick he let that troll in, to make a diversion!"

Hermione's eyes were wide. "No, he wouldn't! I know he's not very nice, but he wouldn't try and steal something Dumbledore was keeping safe."

"Honestly, Hermione, you think all teachers are saints or something," snapped Ron. "I'm with Harry. I wouldn't put anything past Snape. But what's he after? What's that dog guarding?"