The Cupboard Series 2: Hermione's Book Nook

Chapter 20

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The next morning Harry took care to seat himself on the side of the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall so that he could easily see across to the Slytherin table. Scanning along its length, he realised that his prey was still to make an appearance. Careful not to give himself away, he turned to Hermione and Neville and joined in their conversation about the engorio charm that Professor Flitwick had started teaching them the previous lesson. His eyes, though, constantly strayed to the entrance to the Hall.

Finally, when the Gryffindor trio was close to finishing their own breakfast, Malfoy and his goons made their appearance. Harry watched as the blonde-headed ponce strutted his way across the hall before turfing out a first-year from the seat that he wanted to sit in.

Malfoy, as always, was immaculately dressed, his hair slicked back into a hard shell on top of his head. Surreptitiously, Harry kept a close watch, occasionally glancing at his watch to see how much time had passed. When breakfast came to an end and still nothing had happened to Malfoy, Harry heaved a sigh of defeat.

Following Hermione's nudge, he gathered up his book bag from under his feet and followed his friends off to Charms.

Professor Flitwick was as excitable as ever as he continued their lesson on engorgement charms. After last lesson's theory, today was the start of practicals.

"Now, remember everyone, we want a nice firm flick, followed by a clockwise circular motion and a short, sharp jab," the Professor squeaked. "You all now the incantation – engorio, so off you go."

Harry looked down at the pea in front of him. Closing his eyes, he began practising the wand movements over and over in preparation for his attempt.

A sudden burst of raucous laughter from behind and to his right spun him around. There, the most ridiculous sight met his eyes.

Draco Malfoy was simply glowing. His skin was a deep, rich purple, his hair a blazing neon yellow. Beside him, Greg Goyle was looking horrifyingly between his wand, which was pointing at his friend, and the brilliant purple and yellow that Malfoy'd become.

"What did you do?" Malfoy screamed, staring at his own hands in shock.

"Has anyone got a pair of sunglasses?" Seamus guffawed. "That hair's blinding!"

"Hair? What do you mean 'hair'?" Malfoy spun his expression one of mounting horror.

"Your hair's ... yellow," Pansy admitted reluctantly before handing over a small compact mirror.

"Ahhhh!" Malfoy screamed. "My hair! My face! My eyebrows are yellow!"

"Now, now, Mister Malfoy," Professor Flitwick said, "there's no need to panic. I'm sure that it's a simple colour changing charm gone a little wrong. Although, how Mister Goyle managed that when we're doing engorgement charms is beyond me. Stand still and I'll set you to rights."

Harry watched as Professor Flitwick waved his wand over the purple and yellow boy only to see his skin and hair flare brilliantly. When next he was able to look back, it was only to see that Malfoy had changed colours. His skin had changed to fluro pink, while his hair was now a blue so deep that it was almost black.

"Eek," Professor Flitwick blanched, "that's not right. Let me try again."

This time after Professor Flitwick's finite incantatem, and everyone was able to see again after his flare of light, Malfoy had turned light blue with bright red hair.

The entire class, with the exception of Parkinson, Crabbe and Goyle who seemed to be managing to hide their snickers, were in stitches of laughter. Harry and Neville were laughing so hard that they'd taken to holding each other up even as tears began pouring down their faces.