SuperPotterLock- The Chamber of Secrets

The Rogue Bludger

Somehow, Gabriel convinced Castiel to come out of the hospital wing and, one morning, he joined them at breakfast.

'Morning,' Hermione smiled.

Sherlock was already there, sitting with John.

'You all right?' John asked.

He nodded awkwardly and pulled a bowl towards himself, spooning a small amount of porridge into it. He sat quietly, not particularly listening to anyone until the post came.

Owls and letters fluttered around the room and one winged towards Castiel with a sparkly blue envelope in its beak. He froze, spoon half way out of the bowl, but relaxed as it flew closer and he recognized Gabriel's handwriting. Sherlock went to stand up but Castiel placated him with a hand on his arm.

'It's from Gabriel,' he told him.

'Why is he sending you letters when he could just talk to you?'

'We'll soon find out,' he said patiently.

The owl dropped the letter and it landed neatly in front of them. Castiel picked it up and carefully slit it open. For a moment, nothing happened, but then multi-coloured confetti and streamers flew out of the envelope. They filled the air and then came together to form the number thirteen; floating gently down over Castiel's head and shoulders. Everyone around him hastily moved their breakfast to avoid getting confetti in their food. Castiel smiled and Gabriel bounded over from the Hufflepuff table.

'Happy birthday!' he exclaimed, placing a small, neatly wrapped present in front of him.

'Thank you, Gabriel,' Castiel smiled, gently ripping the paper off. Once the paper came off, he gaped at the sleek, black box that was inside.

'Is- is this what I think it is?' he said, wide-eyed.

'Why don't you open it and find out?'

'Why didn't you tell us it was your birthday?' Hermione asked. Castiel blushed faintly and shrugged. He opened the box to reveal a large, eagle-feather quill decorated black and gold.

'Oh, Gabriel, you shouldn't have,' he said.

'I will get my little brother anything I want to get him on his birthday,' Gabriel said stubbornly.

'But, Gabriel-'

'But nothing. Enjoy your gift and I will see you at lunch.'

Gabriel ruffled Castiel's hair and walked off.

'Happy birthday,' Hermione said belatedly, followed by mumbles of the same words from the four boys.

'Thank you,' he said, closing the lid of his quill carefully.

Soon after, the bell signalled the beginning of lessons.

Sherlock and Castiel left for Transfiguration and the Gryffindors headed for Defence Against the Dark Arts.

Since the disastrous episode with the pixies, Lockhart had not brought any live creatures into the lesson, instead choosing to act out passages from his books; often calling Harry up to the front of the class to demonstrate the magical creatures he had defeated. During this particular lesson, Harry was called upon to be a werewolf. He looked as if he would very much loved to have refused, but he needed to keep Lockhart in a good mood.

'Nice loud howl, Harry – exactly – and then, if you'll believe it, I pounced – like this – slammed him into the floor – thus – with one hand, I managed to hold him down – with the other, I put my wand to his throat – I screwed up my remaining strength and performed the immensely complex Homorphus Charm – he let out a piteous moan – go on, Harry – higher than that – good – the fur vanished – the fangs shrank and he turned back into a man. Simple, yet effective – and another village will remember me forever as the hero who delivered them from the monthly terror of werewolf attacks.'