Harry Potter and the Shadows of the Watchgate

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-*~| CHAPTER 9 - A Giant Mistake |~*-
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After another day's recovery, Harry went back to his usual time-table at Hogwarts. He lived another day to attend another lesson of Potions--his most hated subject and Professor at Hogwarts.

He was doodling in his parchment, when he was brought back to the real world by Snape's menacing voice. To Harry's disappointment, the Potions class was still going on.

"So, our celebrity is back!" Snape announced scathingly, while all the Slytherins smirked at him. One pointy-nosed face was particularly visible.

"Unfortunately, Potter, your over-inflated ego cannot prevent you from getting sick." Snape smiled wickedly, showing his yellowed teeth. "But potion-making can prevent it, Potter. That is, if you pay attention!" The last words were hissed at him.

The ingredients for their new potion appeared on the black board. The potion was called the 'Meroceli Potion' and it could be used for curing many types of illness, except only when used in the appropriate quantity. An over-dosage could result in death. They were instructed to use dragon-hide gloves, because some of the ingredients used were hazardous.

Harry was peeling the Orpano roots vigorously when one of its skins landed straight -smack- on Snape's right eye because he was surveying Harry too closely. He let out an involuntary yowl, spun on his heels and hastily made for his office. Ron slapped Harry's shoulder with an expression of bliss. "Bull's-eye!"

Neville sniggered with pleasure and informed them the reason behind Snape's hasty departure. "The Orpano root's skin is very toxic in nature and they cause painful swelling. Snape ran to his office to take cover," he finished looking at them significantly.

Everybody knew that Neville excelled in Herbology and he was proved right, because Snape didn't materialize for another half hour, to which Harry muttered, "Good riddance!"

He was also able to concoct a perfect Meroceli Potion in Snape's absence. When Snape came back with only a trace of a redeye, he was not very pleased to see Harry's potion work.

"Ten points from Gryffindor for not peeling the Orpano roots properly." He docked points from Gryffindor with his usual air of arrogance.

Harry wanted to point out that if his peeling had been wrong, the potion wouldn't have been frothing blue bubbles as it was suppose to, but he knew better than to argue, so he shut his mouth. The reason wasn't Snape only; Draco was doing swooning motions behind Snape's back, making muffled choking sounds and pretending to be sick.

-*-

September was drawing to a close and chilly winds were making all of the students' hairdos electrified.

Harry was hunched down beneath a beech tree beside the lake, reading a book, hidden from view. He was snatching dead twigs from the ground absentmindedly.

Yesterday, Harry and Katie's Captaincy was formally announced by Professor McGonagall along with the schedule of Quidditch tryouts. He also received letters from Oliver Wood and Angelina Johnson congratulating him and giving him some extra captaincy advice. Even sharing the position with Katie, he wasn't fully prepared for coaching his team to victory--that's why he was going through Quidditch through the Ages and Quidditch Maneuver Book again and again.

He was reading the book given to him by Ginny on Quidditch maneuvers but his thoughts kept on drifting towards every other thing. Like, he hadn't used the diary for more than two weeks... there was so much homework to do... he had to-

He heard a rustle of leaves and to his astonishment found Cho materializing beside him.

"Hello, Harry," she said nervously.

"Er... Hi," said Harry, bewildered.

What was she doing here all alone!?

"I just came by to see... umm... how you were doing... I heard that you were sick," she said looking more nervous than ever. She was not even looking straight at him but was stealing glances through her lowered eyelashes.

Harry was quite taken aback. "Well... I'm fine. It was only flu, nothing serious."

"And- and congratulations for making the Captaincy of the Gryffindor team. You must be really looking forward to it after last year's ban."

"Katie is Co-Captaining with me, so I'm not the Captain."

Harry was getting suspicious by the second, he was thinking of continuing to something like, "Why do you care?" when he was again interrupted by her.

"I just came to say that I'm really sorry about last year... umm... the way Marietta behaved with you, it was very wrong of her...." She was wringing her hands nervously and was rubbing her thumb on the sides of her index finger.

"Well, we can't do anything about that CAN WE? The damage is already done! Time can't be turned back now! CAN IT?" He almost snarled at her in anger.

Cho was looking on the verge of tears. She said in a shaky voice, "If it counts, I'm really sorry for what she did, Harry..."

He again became wrong-footed. What it is with girls! he thought exasperatedly.

He closed his eyes and took a deep calming breath and opened his eyes to tell her off when he noticed that Cho was looking somewhat different today. She had her hair down and she was standing in such an angle that the setting sun's last golden rays were reflecting on her shiny black hair, which made her hair look a light shade of auburn rather than black. She was looking so breathtaking--

"Harry?" echoed a familiar voice.

Who was it? he thought.

He suddenly became aware of his surroundings and said, "Cho?" in bewilderment. She was smiling at him but looked a little drawn.

"Well, see you, Harry," she said and sashayed across the garden towards Hogwarts grounds.

Ginny was coming towards him with Ron in tow, looking quite angry and confused at the same time.

"What was she doing with you?" Ron asked in a loud voice, which was louder than he had actually intended.

Ginny was asking the same question but in a silent manner, with her piercing dark brown eyes, cutting through everything--the air, the unseen particles, his glazed expression, his demeanor--sending electrifying bolts at Harry, literally.

He suddenly didn't have words to explain the situation and his behavior. So, he started stuttering instead, making the matter even worse. "Well... er... she came to say sorry for Marietta--"

"Why can't Marietta do it herself?" Ginny asked pointedly.

"Well... I dunno," said Harry without looking at Ginny, while Ron came to his rescue.

"We were sick with worry, mate! We thought you were ambushed or something. Hermione is looking for you indoors right now."

"Why would I be ambushed in broad daylight?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Well, it's looking like there are many people here who don't want you prancing about Hogwarts, Harry," Ron said rolling his eyes. "Remember Malfoy's threat at Diagon Alley? And also for refreshing your mind, have a looksie here!" Ron shoved the card which was written in blood into Harry's hand.

Ginny had told Ron and Hermione about it, when Harry went missing for more than two hours.

"I can't recognize the hand writing," said Harry sheepishly.

"It is written in a manner that is not supposed to be recognized," Ginny said icily.

"Well, what can I say? Should I hang around with a shout-out saying, 'Come here, Gentleman or Lady, and stand in line beside Draco and Voldemort for killing Harry Potter, because you are not the only one?'" Harry said sarcastically making a face, and continued on, "I dunno what was she doing here or her purpose. I told you all that I am over her, but if she's having second thoughts, I can't do anything about that, can I?" This shut Ron's gaping mouth and Ginny's posture to relax, as she was standing stiff as a board before.

When they were making their way to the common room, Ron did a double take, like he remembered something and said to Harry, "The reason we were looking for you, mate." Ron continued avoiding eye-contact, "Professor McGonagall had asked me tell you that Amelia Bones will be visiting Hogwarts in October, and she'll also be presenting you the Order of Merlin," he finished, trying to read Harry's expression.

Harry became sour again.

The Ministry... BLAH! Now that Sirius is dead, the whole world is acknowledging him. Good thing that Quidditch season is starting or I would have had to hex everyone in sight to kill time, Harry thought irately.

So, were things getting back to normal? - Yes! They certainly ruddy were!

-*-

Harry was looking over towards Ginny, because after yesterday's events she was quite miffed and wasn't even acknowledging his presence, and he wasn't feeling very jovial either because of these new developments.

Sometimes, he just couldn't make up his mind about what to do about his budding feelings for Ginny which never took a proper form or even about the last remaining flare of his feelings for Cho.

For the hundredth time, he thought about what was so special about yesterday's visit. He pondered on about his dumbness that why he acted like a complete moron in front of Cho and why after announcing indirectly that she was going out with Michael Corner at the end of the last term, she was again interested in him? When he didn't feel anything for her, at least to his better knowledge--

His attention was diverted towards Hermione who had just toppled her goblet of pumpkin juice.

"What's the matter, Hermione?" he asked in a concerned voice.

"There has been a breaking and entering at the Department of Mysteries. Whoever it was, has been able to get his or her hands on something really important!" she finished in alarm, folding the Daily Prophet into half to read the short column buried in the forth page.

"What was stolen?" asked Ginny with rapt attention.

"That's the main problem! They haven't mentioned what was stolen but from reading the article, it looks something very significant. I think it's some kind of a document or-"

"Could be a secret weapon?" interjected Harry, as he remembered the prophecy.

"I remember what whacko things are there," said Ron, giving a shudder.

Harry remembered the brains too, which had left the now fading welts on Ron's arms. He also remembered the locked door, in which according to Dumbledore, his powers lay. However, he still couldn't understand what they actually were.

"I'm having a very bad feeling about this; my scar doesn't hurt so much these days, but whenever it does--" Harry changed stances instantly by looking at the worried glances he received, which were uplifting in a way, because Ginny was looking concerned too.

"Don't worry, it's not often, but I get this feeling... I can't make you all understand... I have a feeling that Voldemort is planning something really dreadful," he finished uncertainly.

There was an involuntary group shudder and students who were sitting near them, busy in their own talks suddenly became aware of their abrupt silence. A first year boy was staring at him with big saucer shaped eyes. Harry grimaced at the expression and the boy almost stumbled over in his own seat.

"We are getting late for Hagrid's class," Neville's voice registered.

"Oh yeah!" They all scrambled for the Entrance Hall with Harry saying, "Bye, Ginny," and receiving a curt, "Bye," in return.

The Slytherins hadn't arrived for the class; so, they went towards Hagrid for a little chitchat. Hermione at once started questioning him about the thing which was stolen from the Ministry.

"Erm... dunno what yer talkin' abou'," he said lamely.

"Oh c'mon, Hagrid, we know you are better than that; member of the Order and all that!" said Harry, winking at him.

"Yeh kids don' know what yer meddlin' in... 'ts better yeh don' know," he finished in a business-like manner, which was very unlike Hagrid.

They exchanged glances for further persuasion but seeing the Slytherins arrive, they abandoned it for the time being, as talking in front of them about something covert would be incredibly stupid.

As usual, Malfoy came sandwiched between the two official trolls, Crabbe and Goyle, who sported their usual glazed expressions. A slight difference was that Pansy was dangling from one crook of Malfoy's arm.

Draco's eyes gleamed mischievously and Harry also gave him a killer smile saying, let's get it ON!

Angry sparks shot between them and the audience almost waited eagerly for some action; the growing tension became so palpable that they just stared at the two factions alternately--but they were disappointed to hear Hagrid's attention-seeking grunt. He was beaming at the class with a very playful smile on his face.

"This lesson's goin' ter be great!"

'Great' was spoken with much emphasis and it looked like everyone's breath was caught in their throats. They all knew what meant by Hagrid's 'great.'

They hadn't forgotten their first class of Care of Magical Creatures this term. They had been introduced to the Crups. It mostly resembled a Jack Russel terrier but with closer inspection, the forked tail told all. As it was a wizard-created dog, it was loyal to the magical kind while barking-mad at Muggles. However, that didn't mean that if it was poked repeatedly, it was going to lick your hands, no Sir! And that's just what happened with Malfoy, with utter delight to some Gryffindors.

Slytherins just fell in love with the creature and Draco just so wanted a Crup as his pet, but screamed like a girl when the Crup swiped its tail, for his face pell-mell. All in all, the lesson was quite terrifying because most of them were quite afraid of the creature's uncontrollable swishing tail.

"A very thrillin' lesson ahead!" said Hagrid, while many of the students groaned.

"What' a matter with yeh all? Didn' yeh enjoy the last lesson?" inquired Hagrid, bewildered. They all shuffled their feet and even Harry couldn't think up anything encouraging to say.

"Oh, alrigh', alrigh'! I know it wasn' much fun. Still, today yeh'll see..." Hagrid trailed off gleefully, rubbing his hands together.

"So, what' are yeh waitin' for? Get a move on, toward' the clearing that I built fer yeh."

They were all herded towards the clearing, erected near the Forbidding Forest, dreading something unexpected.

When they neared the clearing, Harry saw that Hagrid had separated an area by building an enclosure near the Forbidden Forest.

Whatever the creature was, it must have been small as they weren't able to see anything, when they reached the clearing.

They all waited with bated breath and, Hagrid, noticing their undivided attention, went inside the Forest, returning with two real cute-looking creatures. They came to Hagrid's knees and were blinking in bewilderment. They had wings and beak like an eagle's and their lower half resembled a lion's body. The feathers along their back were black and those in the front were bronze and the wings were streaked with black and bronze. Their necks were variegated with dark blue feathers and their eyes gleamed as if they had their own fires blazing behind their pupils. And they were making deep trumpeting sounds, while tottering towards them.

Everyone sighed with relief, and all the girls became excited and squealy, including Pansy, who was jumping over the trolls for a better view, much to the annoyance of Draco.

"'ere're the Griffins. Mind, they're young, 'cause yeh can't catch 'em when they are all grown up." Hagrid gestured below his ears to show them their grown-up height.

"Now, who of yeh'll tell me abou' the Griffins?" asked Hagrid, surveying the students.

No surprises there, as Hermione started jumping on the balls of her feet much to the annoyance of Ron, who was standing behind her.

"Yes, Hermione," Hagrid said, his beard twitching.

As a television newscaster, Hermione started unloading her vast knowledge. "Griffins, also known as Gryphons, are part eagle and part lion. When they grow up they can be as large as wolves, having legs and claws like those of the lion and wings and beak like an eagle's and ears like horses. Griffins are very popular among the Magical Creatures because it has many virtues but no vices. Notable among the former are vigilance, courage and strength. That's why you can never catch a fully grown Griffin because they can even overcome Dragons, who are supposedly the most powerful magical creature," Hermione finished in her know-it-all tone.

Harry shook with silent laughter on Ron's irritation and jealous glances from the Slytherins. They still couldn't get over the fact that a Muggle-born witch could be so intelligent.

"Fifteen points ter Gryffindor," said Hagrid happily. "Griffins are known fer their strength, an' their feathers an' claws have special magical powers. Poisoned liquid changes color when they're served in a cup fashioned from a Griffin' claw," Hagrid provided.

"Yeh can all pat 'em 'cause they are very friendly an' all, but feed 'em well--the food I prepared meself that is," he said by pointing towards something very brown and muddy.

"Eyurgh," said Lavender, in disgust.

"I'm not touching that," Parvati said, cringing.

"Use ladles then," Hagrid shrugged, pointing towards the dippers.

"They can't feed 'emselve's 'cause they are young an' all.... Alrigh', so, make groups o' four and wait fer yer turn."

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville made a group and headed for the first Griffin who was spreading its little wings and nibbling its tail with its beak.

"Ah! So cute!" Hermione exclaimed and others had to agree with her. They were adorable and looked totally harmless.

So, what is Hagrid's point? Harry thought, quite amused, because unless the animals had dangerous fangs, suckers or stings, Hagrid generally wasn't satisfied.

They fed the Griffin, who was named Scruffy--the other one was called Timbly for no apparent reason--some of the brown stuff.

Harry was stroking through Scruffy's feathers, much to the enjoyment of the young Griffin. Scruffy was looked at him very fondly and was rubbing its head at the sides of his right hand. Harry noticed that the blazing eyes of the Griffin had a life of their own and were very captivating.

They were having a very successful Care of Magical Creatures after a long time and everyone seemed to be enjoying it. Hagrid interjected some facts about the creature, like Godric Gryffindor's surname was derived from the name of the animal and the main qualities that the Gryffindors possessed were also shared by these creatures.

However, suddenly the cheery atmosphere and laughs faded away. They could clearly hear thumping noises coming from the forest. The ground shook beneath their feet and the whole class was swept with a wave of panic. Harry took out his wand and his friends followed his lead, preparing for whatever was approaching.

With sounds of trees crashing, a mammoth-sized head appeared between the gap of the parted trees near the clearing. Harry gave a shaky laugh and Hermione gave a frightened jump and hid herself behind Harry and Ron.

Ron gaped at Grawp, his mouth almost stretching to his neck.

"Ron, meet Mr. Grawp, Hagrid's little brother," said Harry humorously, but his voice was lost in the frenzy.

Harry's comment had no comparison whatsoever to the behavior of other students. The people he had known for years were suddenly acting like a bunch of chicken without heads. They were all screaming like mad and running towards the school or heading towards Hagrid's hut for cover. Hagrid was trying to calm them down, but even his booming voice could not be heard above the bedlam.

"Haggar?" said Grawp with a stupid expression on his giant face.

"Grawpy, what are yeh doin' here? Go back inside!" said Hagrid in a worried voice.

"NO, Hagger," Grawp said relentlessly, looking down at his half-brother.

"What's the matter with yeh? Grawpy - go inside!" Hagrid repeated, launching his hands in the air and pointing them towards the forest like an oversized ballerina doing her last twirl on the dance floor.

"Haggar, see Krucky," said Grawp pointing towards some point in the Forbidden Forest while coming out of the bounds of the trees.

"WHAT?" Hagrid yelled.

Harry couldn't understand what was going on because Hagrid was looking like he was going to have a heart attack.

"Hagrid, what's the matter," asked Harry, but he didn't need an answer.

Another giant head appeared beside Grawp, taking a full fledged form of a female Giant. She was wearing dragon hide clothes, had jet black eyes and an unkempt mass of matching black hair. She was taller than Grawp and as round as he. She was looking from Grawp to Hagrid and to Grawp again, trying to find some resemblance.

"Oh Grawpy! Yeh sly ol' dog," Hagrid said wiping a tear.

Grawp smiled toothily, his rows and rows of yellowish teeth showing, while Krucky at that exact moment plucked a very disgruntled Bowtruckle from Grawp's hair. Grawp playfully jabbed at Krucky, grinning widely. It was another mystery altogether of how the Bowtruckle ended up in Grawp's hair in the first place.

Hermione looked bewildered, while Harry and Ron didn't have words to comment on the family reunion.

The Griffins were not at all afraid but were edging towards the giants with looks of amusement in their eyes. All the students had cleared up the area except Harry, Ron and Hermione and they were looking for some cue from Hagrid.

With Hagrid's smile, Grawp was encouraged as he came closer to him, closely followed by his female friend Krucky. Another fit of screaming sounded from the nearest trees as Malfoy and his gang went clambering towards the school.

"Hagrid, do something! They'll soon be coming back with professors," said Hermione in alarm.

Hagrid realized his slip-up as well and the gravity of the situation. He instantly acted and started nudging Grawp to go inside the forest. Grawp was enjoying the fresh air as it seemed and he didn't pay much attention to Hagrid's poking and jabbing.

He seemed more interested in Hermione, as he noticed her bushy head still cowering behind Ron. He hollered a big, "HERMY!" It was as though he had just met an old friend.

"Uh ... Hi," Hermione waved to him anxiously.

"He recognizes you?" said Ron in awe, but Hermione just rolled her eyes.

Krucky seemed highly amused at Hagrid as she observed him with much concentration. At last Hagrid was able to get Grawp's attention by poking him with a long branch of a tree.

"Grawpy, yeh don' wan' me in trouble, do yeh? Be a good boy and go ter yer restin' place," Hagrid said in a pleading voice.

Grawp had to register Hagrid's voice as he took Krucky's hand and parted the trees for departure with a desolate expression. Before completely disappearing from view, they heard him say, "Bye, Hagger."

Hagrid was all misty eyed and emotional, blowing his nose on his already dirty handkerchief.

"There, there, Hagrid," said Hermione, trying to cheer him up.

Timbly was on his way, following the giants, when Hagrid called the Griffin by making chirruping sounds.

"Yeh don' want to follow 'em, Timbly," said Hagrid affectionately, patting it on its beak.

Before they could ask, where this Krucky had arrived from, Dumbledore came striding towards them, closely followed by Professors McGonagall, Snape and Vidal.

"What's going on here?" asked Snape superiorly.

Dumbledore didn't say anything but his eyes were twinkling with knowledge. Harry could bet that Dumbledore knew all along that Grawp was residing in the Forbidden Forest.

"Come on, Hagrid, explain yourself," said McGonagall, fixing her steely gaze on him.

"Erm... Professor Dumbledore Sir, yeh know abou' me mother..." Hagrid trailed off.

"Rubeus, don't worry, we know about that; however, now the whole school knows and this can't be kept a secret any longer," said Dumbledore. "We have to prove that they will not hurt humans. So we have to contact the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. I daresay that there is no other way."

"They aren' gonna take him away, Dumbledore Sir?" Hagrid asked in a whisper.

"I don't want to give you any false hopes, Rubeus, but from the looks of it, Grawp seems to be on his way to being civilized." Dumbledore patted Hagrid's arm, hinting at the others to follow him back to the school with a gesture of his hand.

Hagrid looked hopeful, but still sulked towards his hut, while the others followed Dumbledore to the Entrance Hall.

"What will happen to Grawp, Professor?" asked Hermione anxiously.

"Let's hope for the best, shall we?" said Dumbledore, not giving another clue.

~*~