Carina Black: Fanfic

Exams and Music

Carina's POV

It's time for exams. I have not been able to talk to Hermione much due to us both studying so hard. We only saw each other in class and in the library. But we only ever talked about lessons. I've been seeing Draco more as he needs help revising.

I heard about the dragon incident though. Apparently Hagrid had a baby dragon and it was sent to Romania. But Harry, Hermione, Neville and Draco all received detention with Hagrid in the forbidden forest. Hermione never told me what happened in the forest. Which hurt, I thought we told each other everything.

It's really hot. I study either by the lake under the shade of a tree or in a dark corner in the library. I saw Hermione had the boys studying. Anyway it is time our exams. We do our written exams in a large classroom, which is very hot. We had been given special, new quills for the exams, which had been bewitched with an Anti-cheating spell.

We had practical exams as well. Professor Flitwick called us in one by one to see if we could make a pineapple tap dance across a desk. I made mine tap dance and also do a pirouette. I won't tell anyone, but I think I got full marks for charms. Professor McGonagall then watched us turn a mouse into a snuffbox. Points were given for how pretty the snuffbox was, but taken away if it had whiskers.  Mine was blue and bronze with no mouse features remaining.

Snape made us brew Forgetfulness potion. I didn't forget any ingredients. My potion was a pale orange, when it was suppose to be a brighter orange. But at least mine was orange unlike some other students. So I know I passed, but probably didn't get full marks.

Our very last exam was History of Magic. One hour of answering questions about batty old wizards who'd invented self-stirring cauldrons and we'd be free. Free for a whole wonderful week until our exam results came out. When Professor Binns told us to put down our quills and roll up our parchment. I did a silent cheer in my head.

"That was far easier than I thought it would be" I state as I join Hermione and the other two.

"I know right, we needn't have learned about the 1637 Werewolf Code of Conduct or the uprising of Elfric the Eager" Hermione says smiling. She always liked to go through our exam papers afterward. But Ron said this made him feel ill. So she stopped doing it around him.

We wandered down to the lake and flopped under a tree. The Weasley twins and Lee Jordan were tickling the tentacles of a giant squid, which was basking in the warm shallows. "No more studying" Ron sighs happily, stretching out on the grass.

"You could look more cheerful, Harry" I tell him.

"She's right. We've got a week before we find out how badly we've done, there's no need to worry yet" Ron states. Harry rubs his forehead.

"I wish I knew what this means!" Harry says angrily. "My scar keeps hurting -- it's happened before, but never as often as this" he tells us.

"Go to Madame Pomfrey" Hermione and I tell him.

"I'm not ill" he tells us. "I think it's a warning... it means danger's coming" he states.

"What sort of danger? Hogwarts is the safest place in the wizarding world" I tell him. "Nothing bad ever happens here" I add.

"Are you forgetting the troll?" Hermione asks me.

"How can I forget that thing? It nearly killed us" I remind her. "But other then that and Harry nearly falling off of his broom. Nothing bad has happened" I state.

"She's right, relax Harry. The Stone's safe as long as Dumbledore's around. Anyway, we've never had any proof Snape found out how to get past Fluffy. He nearly had his leg ripped off once, he's not going to try it again in a hurry. And Neville will play Quidditch for England before Hagrid lets Dumbledore down" Ron assures him.

"What stone?" I ask him confused. Hermione and Harry give him a pointed look. "What are you not telling me Hermione?" I demand.

"Remember the three headed dog I told you about?" she asks me. I nod my head. "We figured out what it's guarding. The philosopher's stone" she says quietly.

"Wow, those are rare. I read that only one exits" I say in awe.

"There is and it's in this very school being guarded by the dog. Along with other spells and enchantments" she tells me.

"Why didn't you tell me? We brainstormed for weeks what that dog could of been guarding" I say pouting.

"I know, but also figured out someone is trying to steal it. I didn't want to put you in danger" she states.

"Hermione, we're practically sisters. We're in this together, no more secrets" I tell her. Harry suddenly jumped to his feet looking pale.

"Where are you going?" Ron asks him.

"I've just thought of something, we have to go see Hagrid" Harry states. We rush to Hagrid's hut to see him outside playing a wooden flute. Hagrid greets us and asks if we want to have a drink. "Hagrid, I've got to ask you something. You know that night you won Norbert? What did the stranger you were playing cards with look like?" he asks him.

"I don't know. I never saw his face. He kept his hood up" Hagrid tells him.

"The stranger, though, you and he must have talked" Harry says.

"What did you talk about?" I ask him.

"Well, he wanted to know what sort of creatures I looked after. I told him. I said, 'After Fluffy, a dragon's gonna be no problem'" he tells us.

"And did he seem interested in Fluffy?" Harry asks him.

"Well, of course he was interested in Fluffy! How often do you come across a three headed dog, even if you're in the trade? But I told him. I said, 'The trick with any beast is to know how to calm him. Take Fluffy, for example, just play him a bit of music and he falls straight to sleep'" he explains. Hagrid suddenly looked horrified while we gape at him. " I shouldn't have told you that" he says and we run off back towards the castle. "Where you going?! Wait!" he shouts, but does not come after us.

A/N

Picture above of Hagrid playing a wooden flute outside his hut.

Future Chapters before Third Year:

Through Trap Door

House Cup

Summary of Second Year

Escapee Uncle