Bab 17: Uh-Oh!
{Authors Note: We're back guys! It's been a while! 20 something days in fact! While I do feel comfortable sharing a bit, I've been homeless and am now staying at a shelter till I end up going to trade school to get my stuff together, but I haven't forgotten about my passion for this book so we'll be A-Ok! Once again, I'm sorry for the really bad delay but expect two chapters today as I hope for forgiveness! I've been reading the comments and I really thank all of you for tuning in to read what I have to write. Once again, Thank you for reading. I won't do ya'll like that! We still got a story to write!}
"Well, this is an unfortunate turn of events," I muttered under my breath.
After Harry touched back down with the simply beautiful magical beast, we all had to bear witness to a magical exchange.
The griffin was now his familiar.
"Thank you," Harry said gratefully. As he stroked the feathery mane of the creature, colorful sparks of energy enveloped the two. I couldn't help but feel a little jealous, to be honest. Imagine your friend catching a legendary earlier than you in a Pokémon game, while you had to wait a little while longer to acquire yours.
Same feeling.
Proud, but betrayed.
"Bastard!"
The class once again erupted in applause, Malfoy sporting an ugly grimace.
"Ooh, that's a lucky thing, Harry, that is. Griffins are very picky, but I couldn't say I didn't expect this. Thatta boy," Hagrid said as he patted Harry on the back, and they both rejoined the group of students.
"Thanks, Hagrid. You see that, Yumi? 4-0. You gotta keep up, mate." Harry nodded sagely, the two others briefly snickering. All I did was smile knowingly as I gave him a thumbs-up.
"Typical Potter luck, isn't it? Even magical creatures prefer your company over mine. No wonder they say destiny favors the mediocre." the platinum-haired idiot drawled, strutting toward us like a peacock showing its feathers. The backup dancers chortled loudly. Harry's smile, immediately dissolved. He glared at him. "Shut up, Malfoy,"
I'd witnessed brawls that start like this far too often on the streets. Although the clashes were usually more... fight now talk later (or never). It's no shit people would be more civilized, but I couldn't help but reminisce. It made me feel grateful in truth.
The children around us were already instigating as the two boys walked closer to each other, all while I just wore a tiresome expression. Harry moved to intercept the boy, his glare never leaving. Would he get socked in his face and cry to his father about it? Reading about him is different. Seeing him? I would say I dislike him now.
The look on my face when Harry drew his wand was priceless. Draco followed the boy's example, drawing his as well.
Hermione, our voice of reason, cried out, "Stop this madness, both of you! We're here to learn about magical creatures, not engage in pointless fights. Put your wands away before someone gets hurt!" Hagrid did his best to put a stop to it.
"Now, hold on there, lads! No need for fisticuffs in my class. Magic is meant to be a force for good, not a reason for brawling, Put your wands down!"
Harry's gaze remained as sharp as a blade. "He started it. Look at the dolt! I'll send you soaring to the farthest corners of Hogwarts, and then we'll truly see who's the master here!"
Malfoy's smile twisted into an alarming grin. "You actually fancy that, Potter? Just wait until my dear father hears the tale of the 'Boy-Who-Lived' flinging spells at me on our very first day back. Can you even imagine how it would tarnish your precious reputation?" For a fleeting moment, Harry's resolve wavered.
"Go on, then, do it!" Malfoy taunted.
As Harry went into silence, the platinum-haired boy slipped his wand away as he continued his reckless approach toward the majestic beast. Ron leaned in and whispered to me, "How long would it take for it to peck him?" I gave him a mock-worried look, and my voice held an amused quality to it.
"Peck? It'll be more like a dissection, Ron." The color drained from the boy's face as I mentally snapped a picture.
"Like it'll ever choose you. You probably orchestrated that little light show, didn't you?" As he advanced toward the griffin, it tilted its head, a portrayal of curiosity, in response to the boy's reckless bravery. "Listen here, you oversized brute. It's high time you realized where your true allegiance belongs. Potter's just a bumbling amateur, while I, Draco Malfoy, can offer you the prestige and luxury you deserve. So, why linger with him when you could be in the lap of pureblood luxury?" And as his hand reached out to touch it, the griffin shot him a withering glare, a silent rebuke that spoke volumes.
Hagrid's panic was palpable, rushing to the boy frantically, "MALFOY! NO!"
'He's going to slice his head off. Rest in pieces.'
RAAAAARK!
The griffin, like a monarch ascending to his throne, rose onto its hind legs, its talons glistening in the sunlight.
As those deadly claws descended toward the boy's head, I could see the reflection of terror in his eyes, his life playing before him.
'Wait! If he gets hit, Buckbeak will die!'
'Cursed Technique Output-!"
I carefully controlled the cursed energy, allowing only a fraction to surge forth. I watched as the talons inched closer to their gruesome destination, but I knew I had mere seconds to act.
"Blue."
A tempestuous torrent of blue energy formed in front of me, as it surged to Malfoy. It yanked the boy away from the impending doom as I braced myself for the impact, but instead, he crashed into me, sending us both tumbling backward a few feet.
The students gasped in awe at my audacious use of wandless magic, but at that moment, I didn't care. My gaze remained fixed on the clown before me, his eyes wide with fear. As I looked down, my eyes widened.
A bloody, shallow wound now adorned his chest, with blood oozing lethargically from the injury. I couldn't help but stare at him with a potent mix of anger and frustration as he whimpered like a child.
Buckbeak's fate now hung in the balance.
I should have acted sooner. I should have acted sooner!
In this world, Buckbeak was Harry's familiar. Could they still kill him? I wasn't sure.
It seems I was the fool. It didn't matter if the piece of shit was bisected. A cut was enough to order its execution.
Reverse Cursed Technique was off the table. I only knew how to heal myself, not others. Although if I could try doing it now, It would be word of mouth that I'd have to contend with next. Draco could just say I healed him, but still make a case that Buckbeak was a danger anyway. I was too late. Plain and simple.
Damn it all!
What do I do, Threaten his life to silence?
That would surely end well, considering how I'm basically a nobody with a feared Mother. I'm 80% sure she could handle any violent exchanges but on the legal side? I wasn't willing to endanger her like that just because I was arrogant enough to think nobles held absolutely zero power. She was strong, but imagining all of Magical Britain hunting her down, especially if one of the "Six" were involved...
No. I handle my own conflicts. I'm not bringing Mother into this.
Everyone was in a shock for moment, as Harry made his way toward the griffin to calm it down from approaching us. All it took was for the gentle touch of his fingertips to discourage the beast, as it purred affectionately.
Then Hermione, Ron, and Hagrid in tow, immediately went to go check on Malfoy's condition while Hagrid Praised me.
"Good thinkin' there boy, At least he's still in one piece."
Hermione shouted as the blood made its way more efficiently, the boy moaning in pain in response, still pathetically crying his eyes out. "He needs to go to the infirmary!" The giant look bewildered for a moment, but eventually yanked the boy off my chest, the boy slacking in the giants arms, face wrung with agony.
"Don't worry about it, I'll sort him out. Sorry, everyone, but it looks like our lesson's takin' a turn today. We'll pick up where we left off real soon, I promise!". Hagrid lifted the kid off of me, the boy's body going comically limp. He's milking this isn't he? All the children groaned as they closed their books. They all were staring daggers at the boy in Hagrid's arms as he sauntered away, Malfoy whimpering all the while.
Walking over to Harry, I patted his back as his head hung low. He probably realized what could happen to Buckbeak now too, and I couldn't force myself to stay at a constant gaze at the boy for a moment. "It's okay Harry, we'll figure it out, I promise". I could feel my voice ring hollow, but Harry looked at me, a flicker of hope in his expression. It shouldn't have happened now that I was here, but it did anyway. I should've been paying attention to what I knew about canon, even if there are major differences, there could still be consistencies. I needed to focus.
I gave the boy one last look before walking to pick up my book, it's spider-like eyes gazing at me in interest.
"Hey."
I felt a hand on my shoulder. Hermione.
"I understand what you may be experiencing, you know? It's not worth being too hard on yourself for something beyond your control."
My eyes darkened, as I turned. Her brows were furrowed, and I could see her expression softening as she looked into my eyes.
"I just wished I could've done something sooner is all..." I shrugged, softly grabbing a hold of her hand. "Thank you though." I smiled. The girl beamed with me.
Hermione excused herself, mentioning her intention to speak with Harry. Ron stood beside the troubled boy, passing him a chocolate frog from his robes, eliciting a chuckle. I was left alone, surrounded by the gentle caress of the wind and the cloudy expanse of the blue sky, drawing comparisons between this world and the one I previously knew.
The day slowly transformed into late evening as the sun descended below the horizon. Colors of the sky shifted from vibrant blues and oranges to deeper purples and smooth blacks. Seated in the Great Hall, Ron couldn't help but observe as Malfoy paraded around, boastfully recounting his tale to the Slytherin students. Harry's gaze bore into the boy, while I, meanwhile, maintained a semblance of composure, quietly munching on an apple. The rich aroma of eggnog in elegant glass cups wafted through the air, tempting me to take refreshing sips. Hermione, seated right beside me, responded to the scene by rolling her eyes and nudging me, urging me to take action.
"Hey, you spent more time with them than I did," I remarked casually, speaking between bites of apple.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Hermione shot back, her tone a mixture of curiosity and irritation.
I nonchalantly shrugged, my words muffled by the apple in my mouth. "You're kind of the designated mediator. I didn't make the rules."
Hermione shot me a look of contempt and then playfully snatched my apple just as I reached for another bite. She couldn't contain her laughter as I attempted to regain control with a smile on my face, engaging in a playful wrestling match. Her infectious giggles, accompanied by her flushed, rosy cheeks, drew the attention of the two boys sitting to our right and half the table.
Sensing the curious gazes upon us, Hermione swiftly returned the apple to my hands, her demeanor turning meek.
Now it was Ron and Harry's turn to burst into laughter. Ron even snorted, while Harry clutched his sides.
"Well, thanks Hermione, That did the job quite well don't you think?" I grinned.
The brown-haired witch hit me in the shoulder. Hard. "Ow!"
The table of Gryffindor's laughed, her glare only making them double over.
Ahh, it's such a delightful night...
"IT'S SIRIUS BLACK! HE'S BEEN SIGHTED, HE'S BEEN SIGHTED!"
Are you kidding me?
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone