New Romantics | Hermione Granger Book IV

|74| Chapter Seventy-Four

 S E V E N T Y  F O U R 

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Reconnecting with Hermione, Harry and Ron as a group was seamless. Saffron expected there to be apologies, excuses and possibly an extended period of evident animosity, but once she spotted the three of them in the common room, it really was the same old same old. This time, being greeted with the news that Hagrid was half-giant, a revelation, which Saffron wasn't surprised to hear, in fact, it made perfect sense now that she heard it out loud.

She spent a lot of her time with them, her siblings, Lavender, Parvati and finally Dean, over the rest of the Christmas holidays, trying to finish the homework they had received before their time off, enjoying themselves and in the case of Dean, that they were going to commit to their relationship until the end of January and reevaluate from there. It was getting easy for pretend as Saffron had formed a much closer friendship with him as a result of the outcome of the Ball and the two secrets that were keeping them together. Before they knew it, however, classes were starting again as December turned into January, and the new calendar year began.

Walking through the thick snow in the grounds on their way down to Herbology truly was a chore. Saffron clutched onto Parvati's arm, who in turn clutched onto Lavenders, trying to share as much body warmth between them on their way down to Herbology. What was worse, was going to Care of Magic Creatures in it. However, Ron made a good point in saying the skrewts would warm them up, either way, the class went -- by them chasing them all, or by blasting off and going on fire. That brightened up Saffron's morning substantially as they arrived at Hagrid's cabin.

Saffron was in shock to see that Hagrid had been replaced by an elderly witch with messy grey hair and an abundance of freckles waiting for them.

"Hurry up, now, the bell rang five minutes ago," she barked at them, as the class focussed their effort into making their way through the snow.

"I'd like to see her go through this," mumbled Parvati bitterly. "We could've done theory in the spare classrooms or something, but no,"

"Who're you?" said Ron, sounding rather rude in his shock. "Where's Hagrid?"

"My name is Professor Grubbly-Plank," she informed them. "I am your temporary Care of Magical Creatures teacher."

"Where's Hagrid?" Harry repeated loudly.

"He is indisposed," said Professor Grubbly-Plank.

Saffron turned around when she heard people laughing at her words. She turned to see Draco Malfoy, standing with the rest of the Slytherins, such as Pansy Parkinson, Crabbe, Goyle, Millicent Bulstrode, Blaise Zabini, with Daphne Greengrass and Ravenclaw Brynn Weber just behind them. Saffron noticed Olly arrive on the scene late, looking rather flustered as though he wasn't entirely sure as to where he should be. As a whole, the Slytherins had never seemed happier than to be at a Care Of Magical Creatures Class.

"This way, please," said Professor Grubbly-Plank, guiding them past the Beauxbatons shivering silvery horses. The class followed her and Saffron had an uncomfortable feeling in her stomach. What could have happened to Hagrid? He was fine just a few days ago. Hopefully, it was just a normal cold or something along those lines, nothing too serious.

Saffron let go of Parvati's hand, who was looking apprehensively at the edge of the forest where they were walking. She walked briskly to catch up with Hermione.

"What do you thinks wrong with him?" Saffron asked her.

"I don't know," replied Hermione quickly. "But it bothered me how the Slytherins seemed to know he wouldn't be here. I don't understand how they could know--- wow!"