Echo | Harry Potter - George Weasley

Chapter 62: Educational Decree Number 23

It was early morning and Shaye had just woken up, much earlier than normal. She was heading down to the common room to enjoy what little she could of it while it was empty from the other students, but when she reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw Harry exiting the portrait hole. Wrapping her sweater tight over her uniform, she followed him. Ever since returning to Hogwarts, she had been keeping an eye out for Harry and the effects of his altered personality. He always repaid the favour by being there for her when she was feeling down.

Ron and Hermione had noticed the change in Harry as well but decided it was probably best for them to give Harry some space more often than not. He had been pretty quick to lose his temper with anyone and everyone lately and slowly, those few who remained by Harry's side were starting to drift away. Shaye didn't let the outbursts bother her though. After all, she had plenty of her own.

Exiting the common room and rushing down the corridor, Shaye eventually caught up with Harry and fell into pace beside him. She didn't say anything or ask where they were going. Instead, she followed his lead and watched as he pulled a piece of parchment and a quill out of his bag and compose a messily-written letter as they walked.

Dear Padfoot,

I hope you're all right. It's starting to get colder here. Winter is definitely on the way. In spite of being back at Hogwarts, I feel more alone than ever. I know you, of all people, will understand.

Once he was done, Harry stuffed the letter and quill into his pocket. Together, the two friends exited the castle, crossed the bridge and absentmindedly ventured down to Hagrid's hut. The absence of the usual plums of smoke coming from the chimney was a sorrowful sight. Still, they stepped up to the doorway, completing their routine of visiting Hagrid except for knocking on the door.

It was then that a loud, almost howling sound echoed through the brisk fall sky. When Shaye and Harry looked up, they spotted one of the black horse-like creatures flying over the cabin and landing somewhere in the woods. Shaye hadn't noticed that the creatures had wings before, but then again, she hadn't been totally convinced that what she was seeing had been real.

"Either we've really lost it or those creatures are new," Shaye said as she started toward the trees, her curiosity getting the better of her.

With Shaye leading the way, she and Harry ventured into the woods that surrounded Hagrid's hut and tried their best to head in the direction of where the creature had landed. Neither one of them knew why, exactly, they were so keen on seeing them. Maybe it was to prove to themselves once and for all that they were real. Maybe it was to focus on something other than the return of Voldemort and the wrath of Umbridge. Maybe they were just intrigued.

When the trio came to a small clearing with bright green foliage and a small stream, they were surprised to see at least five of the mysterious creatures wandering about. They seemed completely undisturbed by the students' presence.

In the middle of the clearing, Shaye spotted Luna Lovegood. Luna was petting one of the creatures like a muggle would with a common horse. She seemed completely at home, if only for that fact that she was barefoot.

"Hello." Luna greeted the two without even turning to look at them.

Slowly, Shaye and Harry approached her. "Your feet," Harry noted. "Aren't they cold?"

"A bit." Luna nodded, but there was no indication that the cold bothered her. "Unfortunately, all my shoes have mysteriously disappeared. I suspect nargles are behind it."

Shaye nodded along as if everything that Luna was saying made complete sense.

"What are they?" Harry finally asked the question that was gnawing at the back of his mind. The creature Luna had been petting began to walk off, its wings flapping as it let out a loud, echoing cry. It's bony, thin tail swished back and forth.