Chapter 23

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Part 6

The rest of the class could be seen making their way across the grounds towards the edge of the Forbidden Forest where Hagrid's hut lay. When Harry reached Hermione, he smiled at her but Hermione only managed a small grimace in return as Ron and Lavender came around the other side of the pumpkin patch. He noticed that Hermione's eyes were red around the edges and instantly felt a wave of guilt flow through him, giving him an uncomfortable prickly feeling. He chose to keep quiet and instead turned to Seamus to talk about Quidditch but turned back around again when Dean came over to talk to Seamus. Luckily Hagrid stepped out of his hut and the class began to settle down, waiting for the class to begin.

"Afternoon class." Greeted Hagrid, once everyone was settled. "Now today I'm going to show you something quite extraordinary." He said, winking at Hermione.

"Great. I wonder what this great oaf is going to show us this time." Drawled Draco Malfoy.

Harry looked across at Hermione, who seemed excited. She must know what they were doing and it seemed like Hagrid had something genuinely good planned. He shuddered at the memory of the Blast-Ended-Skrewts that Hagrid had showed them in fourth year.

But Hermione's smile soon faded when a first year came to remind Harry, Ron and Hermione about their detention with Snape later that evening. Hermione's smile vanished and Hagrid proceeded with the lesson with less enthusiasm than before. Ron wouldn't even look at Harry and he ignored Lavenders constant attempts to engage in conversation about what Hagrid may have planned for them, seemingly oblivious to the change in atmosphere.

Once the class had grouped off, everyone got to work, drawing and labelling diagrams of baby nifflers. Even Malfoy was concentrating on the task, although that was probably because one had a firm grip on his ear.

"Probably looking for gold." Muttered Harry, just so Hermione could hear it, in an attempt to cheer her up but she just smiled weakly and carried on with her detailed diagram. Harry sighed.

When the bell went, the class dispersed, Malfoy grumbling loudly about how his niffler had managed to shove its snout all the way into his ear. Harry offered to stay with Hermione as she helped Hagrid to pack away, but she told him to go on without her. "I will see you in History of Magic." She said, as Harry made his way back to the castle.

Harry bumped into the twins on his way through the castle. They both had a mysterious package-sized lump under their robes but when Harry asked what it was, they told him that it was for the party and it was a secret, before hurrying off. Although the twins seemed too busy to talk to him, Harry told Lee his concerns about Hermione, just wanting to get it off his chest before making his way to History of Magic with the Hufflepuffs.

History of Magic was the same as always: boring and passing painfully slow. While Professor Binns droned on and on about the great defeat of the Dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945 (one of the more interesting subjects!), the class happily chatted away about their previous lesson, Care of Magical Creatures, and the baby nifflers. Hermione kept making notes as usual, scribbling down every date and piece of important information that Professor Binns told them while still maintaining her neatest handwriting. Harry had no idea how she did this and knew better than to interrupt her while she was working. She was either too busy concentrating or still upset about the detention because she hadn't told Harry off once for not paying attention as he happily chatted away to a Hufflepuff sat next to them, telling him all about the previous lesson.

Fred and George:
"That's the last lot." Puffed Fred, leaning against the wall for support after carrying heavy boxes back and forth through the castle while dodging any teachers, including Filch and Mrs Norris.

"We've never skipped so many lessons." Huffed Lee.

"Don't know why you're complaining. We did all the lifting, all you had to do was look out for teachers." Grumbled George.

"So when are we going to deliver the first one?" Asked Lee, completely ignoring George's point.

"I thought tomorrow was when we agreed?"

"I know," started Lee, before telling the twins all that Harry had told him; about how Hermione seemed more distant and his concerns about her feeling lonely. And to top it all off, the detention that evening with Ron.

"So," started Fred after a long pause. "You think we should start now?" He asked, the gleam of mischief evident in his eyes.

"Yes. They have History of Magic, Professor Binns won't notice. It's the perfect opportunity!"

"Send this one," said George quickly, the same gleam in his eyes as his brother, pointing to a small but cutely wrapped package. "And write this note," he handed Lee a piece of parchment and a quill before telling him what to write. Lee wrote it down on the piece of parchment before Fred attached it to the parcel.

The threesome then made their way back through the castle, package in hand, on the lookout incase there were any teachers about. They made it to the Owlery safely, and quickly made their way to the school owls. Not many were left, most were out hunting or delivering other parcels but Lee pointed out a small, brown, barn owl and soon enough they had attached the package to its leg.

"Take this to Hermione and come straight back. You know where to go." The owl hooted and pecked his finger gently before flying off out the window. They stood and watched it as it flew off, until it turned a corner and disappeared behind the astronomy tower.

"We should go, we don't want our to blow our cover before we have even started." Said Fred quickly, walking towards the door.

"Yeah, Lee, take this. Just say that you suddenly got a nose bleed and that we found you in the boys toilets and took you to the Hospital Wing." Said George, handing Lee a piece of nosebleed nougat.

"Why? I was the one who came up with the idea!" Protested Lee.

"Exactly, you get to do the honours." Replied Fred, grinning wickedly.

"The things I do for you two." Grumbled Lee, but bit down on one side of the pill anyway.

The twins grinned as blood started to pour out of Lee's nose.

Word count: 1095 words.
I know this chapter was a bit late but I hit writers block and I didn't want to just write whatever so I thought long and hard and came up with this! I hope you like it.

Thanks for all the votes and comments this week, it means a lot and I'm glad that you actually like the stuff I write.

Happy holidays!

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