Percy Jackson and the Hound of Hogwarts [Book 3]

32) The Three Broomsticks

Madam Pomfrey allowed Harry to leave the hospital wing the next Monday. He still looked sad, but I think he was happy to have Draco distracting him with bad imitations of his fall from the broom. He'd done the imitations all of potions class, and Ron had ended up throwing a crocodile heart at him. It was hilarious, even if Gryffindor lost fifty points because of it.

***

That day on our way to DADA, Ron said, "If Snape's teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts again, I'm skiving off. Check who's in there, Hermione."

Hermione poked her head around the door, "It's okay!"

Lupin was back. He definitely looked sick. His robes were hanging around him loosely, and there were dark bags beneath his eyes. I recognized this look on Haley after a transformation. Still, he smiled at us as we took our seats and complained about Snape.

"It's not fair, he was only filling in, why should he give us homework?"

"We don't know anything about werewolves—"

"— two rolls of parchment!"

I frowned, "We had homework?"

"Did you tell Professor Snape we haven't covered them yet?" Lupin frowned slightly.

"Yes, but he said we were really behind—"

"— he wouldn't listen —"

"— two rolls of parchment!"

Lupin smiled at the annoyance everyone felt.

"Don't worry. I'll speak to Professor Snape. You don't have to do the essay."

"Oh no," Hermione said. "I've already finished it."

I furrowed my brows, "I didn't even know we had homework."

Lupin looked confused, so I said, "Snape kicked me out."

Lupin forced a smile down, "What for?"

"Telling the truth."

That class was great. We learned about a hinkypunk, this one-legged thing that looked like it was made from smoke. It lured travelers into bogs with the little lantern it carried, then it killed them.

At the end of the class, as we were about to leave, Lupin asked Harry to stay. I was tempted to spy on them, but knew I had no right.

I left, holding hands with Draco as we walked down the hall.

***

Harry was a lot more cheery by the end of November. I think it was partly because Ravenclaw absolutely destroyed us at our next Quidditch match. We'd just decided to annoy Cedric the entire time, teasing him about Cho, who looked very confused when we mentioned her name. Cedric blushed a lot that day. It was great.

Wood was also happy about our loss. We practiced in December, and had that energy only he possessed.

Harry only got happier as Christmas neared. The grounds were covered in sparkling white frost. Flitwick had decorated his room with beautiful, real fairies. Hermione and Ron decided to stay with Harry for the Christmas holidays, and I knew he'd be thankful for the company.

His mood dampened when news of another Hogsmeade trip floated around. On the last weekend of term, we'd be going down to Hogsmeade.

Draco invited me there for some butter beer and shopping, and I needed to get some Christmas shopping done, so I knew that I'd be going. I felt bad for Harry.

He waved us off as we went to Hogsmeade, a look of longing on his face. I kept glancing back at him as Draco and I walked towards the Three Broomsticks pub.

We sat at one of the booths, smiling at each-other. We got a couple of butter beers, and then a couple more. We figured we'd be there for awhile.

"So," Draco grinned, "How much more are you going to insult Snape?"

"I'll stop insulting him when he stop's deserving it," I grinned back, and Draco nodded in agreement, "He was a lot nicer before Harry came to Hogwarts. I really don't think he likes him."

I nodded, "He hates him."

Draco tilted his head, "Hate's a strong word."

"It's a strong emotion."

A breeze floated through the pub as the door opened again, and I glanced up, watching Ron and Hermione walk in. I was extremely surprised to see Harry with them.

"Well, he's not supposed to be here," Draco whispered, a frown on his face.

"Eh," I shrugged, "Who cares? The only reason his form didn't get signed is because his aunt and uncle are dicks."

Draco frowned, "Why didn't he just forge their signatures?"

"He asked McGonagall about it, and said that they hadn't signed," I said.

They were sitting at the booth behind us, happily chatting and joking. I don't think they saw Draco or me, at least until Flitwick and McGonagall walked in with Hagrid and the Minster of Magic.

Draco's eyes widened, and he quickly handed me his Yankees cap. I turned in my seat, watching Ron and Hermione's eyes widen.

"Don't take it off," I hissed at Harry, pressing it onto his head. He disappeared, and I sat back in my seat like normal.

The teachers and Minster sat at the table next to Harry's, and I did my best to watch them discreetly.

They ordered their drinks, and I glanced back, making sure Harry hadn't taken the hat off.

"So, what brings you to this neck of the woods, Minister?" Madam Rosmerta, the barmaid, brought their drinks and food to their table.

"What else, m'dear, but Sirius Black?" Fudge said lowly. "I daresay you heard what happened up at the school at Halloween?"

"I did hear a rumor," Madam Rosmerta confessed.

"Did you tell the whole pub, Hagrid?" McGonagall questioned. Hagrid blushed red.

"So you think Black's still in the area, Minister?" Madam Rosmerta whispered.

"I'm sure of it," Fudge said quickly.

"You know that the dementors have searched my pub twice?" Madam Rosmerta looked irked. "Scared all my customers away.... It's very bad for business, Minster."

"Rosmerta, m'dear, I don't like them any more than you do," Fudge said restlessly. "Necessary precaution... unfortunate, but there you are... I've just met some of them. They're in a fury against Dumbledore — he won't let them inside the castle grounds."

"I should think not," McGonagall said stiffly. "How are we supposed to teach with those horrors floating around?"

"Hear, hear!" Flitwick squeaked, his feet dangling a foot above the ground.

Uhhh, I love my cats. I love them. They are greatness. One of them, Cosmo, sat on my lap today, and meowed angrily at me when I got up. It was glorious. Also, today is my step-mom's birthday. We sprayed her with silly string. It was cool. I guessed on several questions on my Geometry quiz. One of the questions was on sequences, and for one of the answers it said something along the lines of M200.jpg. It said that. I knew none of the other answers were correct, so I put that one. I got it right, along with every other question. We also researched Atlanta in Mythology. That was neat. I really didn't do much today I guess. Yesterday I played Clue. That was ok. I ate fries. I'm messaging my friend on our Wattpad crossover thing rn, and he's picking a profile pick. I'm a little worried, since he says he needs until tomorrow night. I am big concerned. Anyway, I'm gonna go out of my room to eat and socialize then I'm gonna sleep.

I hope you guys have had a good Monday, and I'll see you on Wednesday! Love ya!