Percy Jackson and the Hound of Hogwarts [Book 3]

26) Lupin's Office

Halloween morning, Harry looked even sadder than he had. He accompanied Ron and Hermione to the entrance hall, where I already was. Draco was standing beside me, bouncing one of my curls while I glared at him.

Draco looked up suddenly, something catching his eye, "Staying here, Potter?" He shouted, and I elbowed him in the ribs, but he didn't stop. "Scared of passing the dementors?"

Harry ignored Draco and turned to go up the marble staircase. I elbowed Draco in the ribs again, hissing in Greek, "He's been really bummed about not getting to go!"

I stared after Harry, then looked at Draco, "I think I'm going to stay with him."

Before Draco could say anything, I ran off, finding myself walking beside Harry a moment later.

He looked at me and said, "You don't have to."

"I know," I said, continuing to walk beside him.  He gave me a weak smile, and I gave a bright one back.

We made our way to Gryffindor tower.

"Password?" The Fat Lady jerked out of a doze when we stood in front of her.

"Fortuna Major," Harry said tiredly.

The portrait swung open and we climbed inside. The common room was mostly full of first and second years, but a few older students had stayed behind.

"Harry! Harry! Hi, Harry!"

I smiled at Colin Creevey. He was good friends with Anna, the girl in my art class, and Harrison, my younger brother. Colin also admires Harry more than anyone I had ever met.

"Aren't you going to Hogsmeade, Harry? Why not? Hey" — Colin looked back at his friends — "you can come and sit with us, if you like, Harry!"

"Er — no, thanks, Colin," Harry said. "I — we've got to go to the library, got to get some work done."

We turned back around, leaving through the portrait hole.

"What was the point waking me up?" The Fat Lady questioned moodily as we walked past.

We started off towards the library, but Harry changed his mind. We turned around, and found Filch.

"What are you doing?" Filch snapped suspiciously.

"Nothing," Harry said honestly.

"Nothing!" Filch spat. "A likely story! Sneaking around — why aren't you two in Hogsmede buying Stink Pellets and Belch Powder and Whizzing Worms like the rest of your nasty little friends?"

Harry and I shrugged.

"Well, get back to your common room where you belong!" Filch snarled, and he glared until we were out of sight.

We did not go back to the common room. I followed Harry, unsure of where we were going. I never found out, because while we were walking past a door a voice called out, "Harry? Percy?"

I turned, looking back to see Professor Lupin peeking around his office door.

"What are you doing?" Lupin asked. "Where are Ron and Hermione?"

"Hogsmeade," Harry said, almost casually.

"Ah," Lupin said, looking between Harry and me. "Why don't you come in? I've just taken delivery of a grindylow for our next lesson."

"A what?" Harry asked. We followed Lupin into his office. In the corner there was a large tank of water, in it a nasty green creature with sharp horns and long, spindly fingers. It pressed its face against the glass, making nasty little faces.