Sky full of stars {Harry Potter Fanfiction}

13. The Dark Forest

"Well girls, I don't know what to say." Professor Sprout shook her head at us, barely stifling a yawn. "I don't think I've ever seen First Year Hufflepuffs sneaking out after curfew!"

Kat and I exchanged a guilty look. After McGonagall found us, she'd marched us straight to Professor Sprout's living quarters, and Draco to Professor Snape's. Professor Sprout made us both herbal tea and didn't seem as angry as I thought.

"Draco Malfoy was trying to play a trick on our friends—to get them into trouble," I explained after taking a long sip of the tea. It was warming me up. "We were just trying to warn them, Professor."

"Hmmm..." Professor Sprout leaned back in her chair, pouring herself another cup of tea. "Loyalty is the most important Hufflepuff trait, I must admit I would have done the same." She paused. "But Katherine, you did punch Draco Malfoy in the face."

Kat raised her head high. "He was bragging about getting our friends in trouble. Then he told me that girls couldn't fight. I wanted to prove his sexism wrong."

Professor Sprout looked mildly impressed. "I would love to just give you a stern talking to, but you did both break school rules." She paused. "And I know Professors Snape and McGonagall won't be lenient with their students."

Kat and I exchanged a panicked look. Had Harry and Hermione been discovered? Turning back to Professor Sprout, she decided: "I will be taking twenty points from Hufflepuff each from you both." She paused. "And you must serve a detention with the other hooligans who were wandering around."

"Yes, Professor," we chorused.

She did lean forward with a twinkle in her eye. "Now go on—back to bed."

Kat and I apologised and after thanking her for the tea scurried off. We'd gotten off lightly, it seemed.

**

Professor Sprout was right—McGonagall and Snape were harsh. Draco lost himself fifty house points, and the respect of Cassie. Harry and Hermione had been discovered after Norbert was taken away (thank goodness) and lost fifty points each.

"It's a disaster," Harry said gloomily. "Everybody hates us."

"No, they don't," I tried to sound positive, but I knew I was lying.

The Gryffindors had turned completely against Harry and Hermione, who were now in disgrace. Nobody would speak to them without glaring. Gryffindor was now in last place in the house cup, with little chance of winning Quidditch.

Kat and I truly got off easy—nobody even noticed we'd lost house points until three days after the event.

One plus side was Cassie finally leaving her dormitory. The next morning she collapsed into my arms with a bruising hug, her big grey eyes full of tears. Her eyes said I'm sorry.

"Don't worry about it," I told her gently. "I know you didn't mean to tell your brother about where we were taking Norbert. He got away—no harm done."

Cassie raised her jumper sleeve, and I saw a red and nasty Indian burn on her forearm. Anger swelled inside me, and automatically I looked around the hall for her worm of a brother.

Cassie placed her hand on my chest, shaking her head. Quickly she pulled a notebook out of her pocket and began writing.

The burn really hurt... I couldn't take it anymore. I felt like such a coward.

"You're not a coward, you're so brave." I squeezed her hand tightly.

Cassie gave me a sudden bright smile. Oh yeah! Draco lost fifty points for our house—everybody is so pissed off with him. That makes it a bit better.