ᴀ ᴅ ʀ ɪ ᴇ ɴ ɴ ᴇ [1]

22. draco's warning

chapter twenty-two

DRACO'S WARNING

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I WOULD'VE FELT SORRY FOR HAGRID when the time comes for him to say goodbye to Norbert if I weren't so worried about what I had to do. It's a very dark, cloudy night, and Harry, Sas, Hermione and I are late to Hagrid's Hut because we had to wait for Peeves to get out of the way in the Entrance Hall, where he was paying tennis. In the end, I just grabbed the ball and chucked it into the Great Hall, causing Peeves to squeal with delight at the invisible interference.

Hagrid is a bit surprised to see four of us, as the Cloak can barely cover three of us with Norbert, but Sas assures him she's allowed to be up and roaming the halls at night. Harry backs her up, and Hermione and I exchange a confused glance. What does Harry know that we don't?

Hagrrd shows us over to Norbert, who's packed into a large crate. I'm sad to see him go, I realise, but quickly tell myself he'll be better off, by far, in Romania.

"He's got lots o' rats an' some brandy fer the journey," says Hagrid in a muffled voice. "An' I've packed his teddy bear in case he gets lonely."

Right on cue, ripping noises come from inside the crate, sounding suspiciosly like a teddy bear's head being torn off.

"Bye-bye, Norbert!" Hagrid sobs as Harry and I cover the crate with the Invisibility Cloak, shuffling underneath and holding it up for Hermione. Sas looks like she's restraining laughter as she hears our hisses of pain as we step on each other's feet and sees someone's hand fly up, trying to regain their balance.

"Mommy will never forget you!"

"How we manage to get the crate back up to the castle, we'll never know. Midnight ticks nearer and nearer as we heave the heavy crate up the marble staircase, Sas looking around behind her every few seconds, searching for us.

"This is so weird!" she whispers out of the corner of her mouth. "I can't see you, but you're all right behind me - I can hear you. Actually, you should probably try and be a little quieter, you're being really loud."

"Why don't you help lighten the load?" I hiss at her, struggling with even one-third of Norbert's crate.

"No thanks," she replies cheerfully. "I think you've got it."

We continue carrying the crate up more staircases and down darkened halls, then up another staircase.

"Nearly there," Harry pants as we reach the corridor beneath the tallest corridor.

Then, a sudden movement ahead of us nearly makes us drop the crate. Forgetting that we're Invisible, we shrink into the shadows, Sas slipping behind a statue. I peer into the darkness ahead, staring at the dark outlines of two people. A lamp flares.

Professor McGonagall, in a tartan bathrobe and a hair net, has Malfoy by the ear. I grin.

"Detention," she shouts. "And twenty points from Slytherin! Wandering around in the middle of the night, how dare you! What do you think you're doing, Malfoy?"

"I - I - my friend - she's - I had to warn her-" Malfoy stammers, cutting off and clapping a hand over his mouth at the exact time Sas swears. I look up to her, sending her a look, but then remember I'm invisible.

"What utter rubbish! If you're not going to tell me the truth, then so be it - I shall be seeing Professor Snape about you, Malfoy!"

McGonagall drags Malfoy off, and Sas steps out just before he disappears. Malfoy sees her, and I gasp, knowing we're done for. But Malfoy remains silent, instead mouthing one word at Sas; Sierra. Sas swears again quietly as Malfoy and McGonagall disappear around the corner. She beckons for us to come out, and sets off up the staircase to the tower. On the way, she quietly whispers what Malfoy meant.