Harry Potter and the Dragon

VI

Seeking and Sought

Soaring over the forest, Harry thought he now vaguely knew where Hagrid and Buckbeak had split. The Hippogriff was doing his best to remember the path they had taken, though from above everything looked different, disproportioned. The change of perspective was a drawback, but Beaky had refused to land, to Harry's annoyance. What's there in that forest that Beaky doesn't wanna go back? Harry was starting to panic. He decided to lead the magical beast closer to the tree-tops, but then something strange caught his attention.

Trying to focus his eyes in spite of the constant movement flying in a hippogriff conveyed, he saw something like a building not very far from there. Immediately he led Beaky towards the vision, doing his best to keep his gaze attached to it. Moments later, he was sure they were on the right track, after having glimpsed enormous flames shooting out of the place. "I hope it's Hagrid making a bonfire... Maybe he knows we came for him..."

But suddenly the flames disappeared from sight, though they had come close enough to make out a castle amidst the trees. Harry thought it was better to go to the entrance than flying inside, for he didn't know what kind of people lived there, and the sudden extinction of the flames struck him as suspicious.

Once at the gates, Harry's stomach lurched in terror. There were pieces of Hagrid's mole-skin coat all over. Pulling Beaky inside as fast as he could, he made it to the doors and entered the manor. With a shaking voice, he shouted Hagrid's name as he advanced into the place. Everything was dark, but he didn't care. The only thing that mattered was to find his guardian and leave the place unscathed, if lucky.

***

In what once had been a kitchen where the most skilled gourmets of the country had worked out wonderfully accomplished delicatessens, a collection of moving objects was having a secret meeting. All their faces showed trouble, concern, and displeasure.

"I know I might sound repetitive, but I'll risk being annoying for the sake of you finally understanding a very simple and obvious fact, Lupin. You are responsible for three of the things I detest the most happening in the very same night. First, having to endure the hysterical, as well as nonsensical, berating of our young and moody Master. Second, having to cope with his unpleasant tantrums, in which he usually finds nothing but shooting never-ending flames soothes his tormented spirit. And third, having to spend my precious TIME devoted to prepare stupid medical potions, to cure Master's -!"

"Oh, shut up." Lupin was depressed. He didn't want the poor intruder to get caught. But there was nothing he could do for the man. The candlestick was pacing pensively on the table, his glance never resting on Snape, the clock.

"Concocting a potion's nothing compared to what I'll have to do once Master's over with that idiot," said a sour-faced, graying mop that was monotonously sweeping the kitchen floor.

"Well, we all have our obligations here, Filch," said Mrs. Weasley firmly. "And kids, it's past your bed time. Into the cupboard, now!"

"Oh, mom, come on! It's not everyday we get to see a row like that!" said happily a cup marked with an 'F'.

"Yeah, mom! It's not like dear Master's got a hell of a temper! When are we going to see him angry again? This is a lifetime event! We have the right to witness something as peculiar as our beloved Master getting a little crossed!" added its twin cup.

"INTO THE CUPBOARD!" said Mrs. Weasley emphatically.

"Okay, okay!" said the 'F' cup sniggering, leaping towards his sleeping corner. The cup that had 'G' on its front, however, stayed a little behind. "How did it feel, little Ronnie? Giving the stranger his last drink?"

"Shut up, you idiot," replied the 'R' cup. He was sad. He had liked the man. And his ill feelings towards Master had become as much as he, being a little cup, could contain. He was positively overflowing with hatred.

Silence fell in the room as most of its occupants had gone to sleep. Only Snape and Lupin remained awake, none of them speaking much, or looking at each other for that matter.

"Hagrid! Are you here?!"

Both objects turned around violently, the clock involuntarily hastening its ticking, the candlestick enhancing its tiny flames.

"Hagrid? It's me!"

"Did you see that, Snape?" said Lupin astonished, pointing his right candle towards the open kitchen door, where an ambulant shadow had just been fleetingly seen.

"Unfortunately, yes."

"It's a boy! Can you believe it? A boy!"

Snape looked at Lupin sideways, and remarked sarcastically "It looked to me more like tomorrow's dessert..."

"It's the boy we've been waiting for! The one meant to break the curse!"

"The reason I'll have to brew more potion than I expected..."

"The one Master will fall for!"

"The one Master will fall ill for..."

"Oh, don't be such a spoilsport! We have to go and find the boy, try Master doesn't spot him before we talk him into it... Come on Snape, it seems things are not as bad as we thought!"

Lupin leaped enthusiastically outside the kitchen, the clock reluctantly at what could be considered the candlestick's heels.