The Holmes of Hogwarts

6. The Boathouse

John was sitting on the sofa with his arm draped around Mary in the Gryffindor common room. The fire was going, Mary telling him about her day and how in Transfiguration she turned Mikes glasses into a rat. The story amused John as he sat back relaxing, feeling the warmth of the flames on his face. Greg and Mycroft were on the floor sitting snuggled up against each other and John watched the love birds but he was brought out of his thoughts when Mary abruptly kissed him on the cheek. He looked at her with surprise but she was just smiled at him. He looked away to the window when he saw the night sky outside and looked over to the clock that read 6:55pm. John realised he was about to be late to detention that started at seven and mumbled under his breath cursing.

"Damn it."

"What is it Pumpkin?" Mary asked.

"I have detention tonight with Hagrid. Snape couldn't make it to lunch so he assigned this instead. Even though it's Hagrid I don't want to be late." John said quickly standing up but Mary still held onto his hand restraining him.

"You always get detention. Can't you stay please?" Mary whined.

"I know but if you don't let me go to this one I'll probably get double." John pointed out looking down to Mary on the couch. He thought how tempting it sounded to skip.

"Fine. Go." Mary said reluctantly. John didn't have time to react because it was now 6:57 and he was really going to be late. He rushed out the common room down the stairs. He walked outside to the dirt path, it was a lot colder than expected and he could see his breath in front of him. He kicked himself for only wearing his jumper and button dress shirt underneath. He walked around the castle where it was pitch black with shadows casted by the tall stone walls. He brought out his wand in front of him, unable to see anything from the lack of moonlight.

"Lumos." He mumbled. Slowly a small ball of light formed at the tip of his wand but was only bright enough to see an arm's length in front of him. He turned a corner around the castle walking towards to stairs when he heard something behind him. John froze and turned around to look at the stonewall of the castle but didn't see anything. He continued to walk two steps in front of him when he heard something again. He made the ball of light disappear and held his wand out with both his arms at full length so he'd be ready to attack.

"Whos there?" John said with his voice a bit shaky.

From the shadows something stood up from against the wall, even though it was dark he could still see the silhouette from the moonlight. The figure moved their arm and quickly took their wand in front of them and the ball of light appeared and revealed a face, it was the boy. John looked up at him sighing in relief and chuckled a bit, still having his wand out in defense. The boy took his hand and moved Johns wand down to the side. The boy had a solid blue ravenclaw scarf and his winter cloak for warmth that John currently envied.

"For christ sakes I could have stunned you! you scared me!" John shouted. The boy didn't respond but continued to stare down at John expressionless. John furrowed his brows still startled and looked around.

"What were you doing lurking in the shadows?" John asked in an annoyed tone.

"Waiting." The boy replied.

"Waiting? Waiting for detention? How long have you been out here?"

"Couple of hours. Give or take." He responded nonchalantly.

"Couple hours?" John stared at the boy in disbelief. "You sat out here in the bloody dark for a couple hours?"

"The sun sets at 6:30 everyday so it wasn't always dark." The boy answered robotically looking away from John. John sighed and closed his eyes trying to understand but decided not to argue. He opened his eyes to instantly lock eyes with him. John cleared his throat.