Lucy Jones 3: Blackbird

10 Christmas

The vacation begins, and Hermione, Ron and Lucy try to take Harry's mind off Sirius Black. They go visit Hagrid. And although it isn't a 'happy' visit, it works.

Hagrid tells them about Buckbeak's upcoming hearing before the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. They try to be hopeful, but they all know that Malfoy's father has his ways to get what he wants. The four of them promise to help him in the best way possible. Hermione suggests they go to the library and try to find similar cases or other ways to defend Buckbeak.

Lucy doesn't think Harry forgot about Black or his wishes to take revenge, but it at least delays his plans. He knows that helping Hagrid is the best thing to do now.

It's Christmas, and Lucy gets a dark purple jumper from Ron's mother and a box of fudge. Charlotte sends her treats for Mina and Archimedes. She also sends her candy. Ron doesn't recognize the kinds but helps eat them. Mina follows her and Hermione downstairs.

'Hey, what have you got there?' Lucy asks Harry.

'It's good. Someone gave me a new broom.' He answers.

'Good? Good? That broom is amazing.' Ron says: 'What's that?' He asks Hermione, who looks doubtful instead of cheerful.

'Isn't that an excellent broom?' Hermione asks.

'Yes, it's the best broom there is.' Ron answers.

'So, isn't it very expensive?' Hermione points out.

Ron stands up and faces Hermione: 'Yes, this one probably cost more than all the brooms of Slytherin together.'

'So, who would give Harry such an expensive gift?' Lucy asks them.

Ron ignores Lucy and looks at Harry: 'Can I have a try too?'

'I don't think anyone is going to fly that broom.' Hermione says.

'Why not?' Ron argues.

What happens next stops the conversation altogether. Crookshanks has come downstairs and attacks Ron because he is after the rat. Ron tries to kick Crookshanks and curses loudly. Mina, who had been watching, feels something is wrong and hisses at Ron. Ron takes a step backwards and looks angry at Lucy. She takes Mina, Hermione takes Crookshanks, and the girls return to their dorm room.

The cats were locked in the girl's dorm room, but Lucy couldn't believe Ron could be so... She whispers with Hermione, and Harry tries to get a conversation going, but it doesn't help.

When the clock hits twelve, they go downstairs. The tables are again put together to form one table like last Christmas.

Harry and Ron get up first and leave the room. 'Professor McGonigal, there is something I want to ask.' Hermione says: 'Harry has gotten a Firebolt today and has no idea from whom he got it.'

'We thought that it could be dangerous.' Lucy adds.

'That's very well thought of.' She answers: 'Maybe I should look into it now. I think they'll not wait long before trying this new broom.'

McGonigal says the passwords and goes into the common room. Harry and Ron stand there, ready to go outside. Lucy climbs through the opening of the portrait, and Hermione follows.

'I hear you got a new broom, Potter.' McGonigal asks. Harry nods. 'And you have no idea who gave it to you. There was no card or note?'

'No, Professor.' He answers.

'Then I'm afraid I must confiscate it, and It will need to be checked for jinxes. Of course, I'm no expert, but I daresay Madam Hooch and Professor Flitwick will strip it down...'

'Strip it down?' Ron says, his eyes open wide.

'It shouldn't take more than a few weeks. You will have it back if we are sure it is jinx-free.'

She says and then takes the broom and leaves the Gryffindor common room.

'Why did you tell her.' Harry says in disbelief, looking angry at them. Ron stands next to him.

'Think Harry, who could have given it to you?' Hermione asks.

There is no answer.

'Sirius Black, thinking the broom would do the trick.' Lucy says and sighs.

Lucy and Hermione spend most of their time in the library during that vacation. They get ahead with homework and search for hours to a similar case to Buckbeak's. They do find a few, but in all of them, the animal is found guilty. In most, they are even a death sentence.

Lupin approaches Lucy for the anti-dementor lessons. Although Harry refuses to talk to her, he tolerates her during these private lessons.

'This spell is above NEWT level, so don't expect to be able to perform it on the first few goes. You may not be able to perform it. You have to say, "Expecto Patronum." Try to say it now. The pronunciation is important.'

'Expecto patronum', they say at the same time.

'Very well, but that's the easy part. While you perform the spell, you'll have to think of one of the happiest moments of your life.'

'And that while the dementor tries to make you think of your worst memory?' Lucy says.

'Indeed, Lucy, that's what makes it tricky. With one dementor, it's easier than when three or four are around.'

Lupin had let them try the spell a few times. Lupin forced the boggart to take the form of a dementor. They both practice on it.

They get the lessons all through January and February. February is the first time one shows any progress with the spell. Until then, they both fainted and got given a piece of chocolate afterwards, which made for a lot of chocolate.

It's Harry who has the first sign of a Patronus. It's only a glow from his wand, while a full Patronus is in the form of an animal. Lucy succeeds in that same glow a week later.