Chapter 89
Chapter 89
Of course Colin had taken photographs. How could he possibly miss an opportunity when Harry was present?
He had captured the entire scene from every angle.
The boy was furious at Malfoy’s behaviour and readily agreed to Suer’s request. After reluctantly taking a few final pictures of Harry flying, he hurried away.
Hermione had been watching Suer.
“Why did he stop photographing Harry?”
“I asked him to do something for me.” Suer gazed at the castle spires through narrowed eyes. “Malfoy has to pay for this.”
For someone as proud as Malfoy, public humiliation was the finest punishment.
“Oh.” Hermione nodded without pressing him. Then she said softly, “Thank you. For before.”
“No need. Of course I’d protect our Hermione.” Suer smiled into her bright eyes.
“Who–” Colour rose in Hermione’s cheeks. “Who belongs to you?”
They remained in the stands until Harry finished training, breathless and exhausted. As planned, they set off for Hagrid’s hut, and Hagrid was delighted to have them.
“I hear you’re handing out signed photographs, Harry. How come I haven’t got one?” Hagrid asked on the way.
Harry protested vehemently. “I’m not handing out signed photographs!”
“If Lockhart keeps spreading that rumour–”
“I’m only teasing, Harry.” Hagrid clapped him on the shoulder so hard that Harry nearly fell. “I know yeh aren’t. Lockhart came ter see me earlier. I told him yeh didn’t need ter do anything like that, because you’re much more famous than he is.”
“I bet he loved that.” Harry seized Ron’s robes to keep from greeting the dirt face-first, as Malfoy had.
“He didn’t,” Hagrid laughed. “When I told him I’d never read any of his books, he left in a huff.”
“Why did Professor Lockhart visit you?” Hermione disliked hearing her idol criticised and quickly interrupted.
“Came ter teach me how ter stop a kelpie climbing into a well,” Hagrid scoffed. “As if I didn’t know. Then he boasted about driving off a banshee with his smile. I’d wager not one word of it was true–”
“Professor Dumbledore clearly thought he was fit to teach us,” Hermione said more loudly than usual. “Otherwise–well, it isn’t fair to say that. His methods in the books really are clever.”
“He was the only applicant,” Hagrid stressed. “It’s hard ter find a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher now. Nobody wants the job. They think it’s unlucky. Look what happened ter Quirrell.”
“Here we are. Tea and something ter eat?”
They had reached the hut. Hagrid opened the door and Fang bounded out.
The huge dog looked ugly at first glance, but somehow became more endearing the longer one looked at him.
Suer scratched Fang behind the ears and pointed to a field behind the hut, where the corner of an enormous yellow object was visible.
“Those are my pumpkins,” Hagrid said proudly. “Growing well, aren’t they? Come and see.”
Twelve huge pumpkins filled the patch behind the hut. Each reached roughly to Hagrid’s chest.
“Normal pumpkins don’t grow that large,” Harry marvelled. He held his hands apart to show the largest he had ever seen.
“Well, I gave them–a little–” Hagrid held up two thick fingers. “Just a little help.”
“An Engorgement Charm,” Hermione said, half disapproving and half fascinated. “It worked extremely well.”
Hagrid scratched his head and chuckled, then turned to the unusually quiet Ron.
“I met your little sister yesterday. Said she was only wandering about, but I reckon she hoped to meet someone here.” Hagrid winked at Harry.
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Harry cried, while the other three laughed.
“Come inside for tea.” Hagrid led the way. “I’ve made some treacle toffee. Tastes wonderful, if I say so myself.”
It did taste wonderful. Unfortunately, it was far too sticky. Suer struggled to prise his teeth apart, failed, and had to wait for his saliva to dissolve it.
He refused to suffer alone and quietly pushed a piece into Hermione’s mouth.
The girl angrily smacked him several times.
Hagrid watched the two of them with a fond smile.
“Lovely,” he sighed.
Professor McGonagall intercepted them on their return to the castle.
“You two begin detention tonight,” she told Harry and Ron sternly.
Ron would polish trophies on the fourth floor, while Harry would help Lockhart answer fan mail.
Both looked as though they had swallowed something unspeakable.
“Mr Bones, come with me.”
“Yes, Professor.” Suer followed her away. Behind him, Hermione watched anxiously.
Ron complained bitterly about his punishment.
“Filch will watch me the whole time. More than a hundred trophies, and no magic. It’ll kill me.”
“I’d trade with you any day,” Harry said gloomily.
“You did break school rules,” Hermione pointed out. She cast one final look towards Suer, then went into the Great Hall.
Suer had not expected to find Snape in Professor McGonagall’s office.
“One of my students tells me you used the Full Body-Bind Curse on Malfoy at the pitch.” Snape’s cold eyes fixed upon him.
“There was a reason, Professor.” Suer was not intimidated.
“I spoke to Wood,” Professor McGonagall said. “Malfoy directed vile language at Miss Granger.”
“Yes, Professor. Draco Malfoy called Hermione a Mudblood.”
The word turned the atmosphere in the office to ice.
Snape remained expressionless, but his face grew uglier.
“Even so, using magic against another student violates school rules,” Professor McGonagall said. “Ten points from Hufflepuff. Any objection, Mr Bones?”
“No, Professor.” Suer lowered his eyes and laughed coldly inside.
Snape gave him one final look and left without a word.
“Malfoy will also be punished,” Professor McGonagall said after the door closed. “We enforce the rules without favouring anyone.”
“Thank you, Professor.” Suer nodded.
Inwardly, he condemned Malfoy to death. He had intended only to humiliate him publicly. Now he might also test several minor spells that needed a suitable subject.
Unaware of his thoughts, Professor McGonagall nodded in satisfaction.
“Go to dinner, Mr Bones.”