73 ch 73 Promise
January 4, 1992, 12:30 pm Saturday, Hogwarts Express
-Marshall's POV-
"Finally, I can eat delicious food again." said Susan as she sat on the long table beside me for lunch.
Like on our last train ride, I again opened my suitcase to accommodate my fellow first years on our way back to Hogwarts.
The earlier scene on the train platform where all of us first years were sporting our enchanted pouches attracted some looks from the parents and the older students.
Hearing Susan, Ernie asked, "Why? You didn't eat during the Holidays?"
Susan sighed and glared at me, "It is all Marshall's fault. He gave my aunt some cookbooks for Christmas, and she started experimenting. Who do you think ate her food? Our house elf is always stressed out because the kitchen is always a mess."
I quickly defended myself, "Woah! It was a harmless gift. Who would have thought your aunt will be so engrossed in practicing? Just suggest to her to give her trial dishes to her subordinates… or better yet, try using her cooking as a form of torture for some dark wizards."
Those who heard my plan laughed. Susan just let out an exasperated huff.
Neville called me out, "Marshall, My folks said their thanks again. They said that they want to have dinner with you when you're available."
"Oh, sure, but that will probably be after the school year-end. I won't be going back for Easter." I said, and Nev gave a nod of understanding.
Then I saw Daphne and Tracy sitting in front of us, I asked, "How's your sister doing?"
Daphne gave a rare smile, "Thanks to you, she spent the Holiday running around. She even had her first episode of accidental magic."
"Yeah..." Tracy chuckled, "She set the Christmas tree on fire."
I laughed picturing the scene, "That's good to hear."
After listening, Wayne asked, "You've been busy, Marshall?"
Trying to recall what I did last Holiday break, "I guess, but mostly just around the first week. For the later week, I just spent my time with my friends planning for our vacation in France this year."
Adeline got interested, "France? Let me guess, you're planning to go to Disneyland Paris."
"Yeah… You plan to visit as well?" I asked her.
"That depends on my Dad's work schedule, but I did hear him say that he will be accompanying the French Ambassador and his family to visit the theme park. How long will is your visit?" said Adeline while pouting.
"Depends on my friends' final grades at the end of the school year. But their parents already agreed to let us have a week to tour Paris." I said.
Hermione frowned, "Wait? You mean no adults will come along when you go there?"
"Eh? Yeah... My friends' folks completely trust me. This is not the first time we took a trip by ourselves... though, it is the first that is out of the country." I confirmed.
I actually want to extend the invitation to my Hogwarts friends, but I'm pretty sure their parents will not allow them. Their parents hardly knows me.
The rest of the train ride were spent lounging around and talking about what we did on our holiday break.
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6:32 pm, Hogsmeade Station
As we alight from the train, me and my fellow first year walked out of the station with ease.
With no huge luggage to trouble ourselves, we just need to carry our pouches and get on the carriages that will take us to the school.
Again, the older students eyed our pouches. Some, mostly Malfoy's Slytherins group, smugly display the pouches and taunt the upperclassmen.
In the carriage, my attention is on the threstral that's pulling us. Justin nudged me, "Marshall, did you see how those older students kept looking at us..."
"Not us, they are eyeing our pouches," corrected Ernie, then he said to me, "Speaking of the pouches, my folks at home want to know who is the craftsman that made it. There was no labeled, and my uncle,who is familiar with enchantments, can't figure out how the space was expanded."
I remained silent for a moment and said, "Uhm... Didn't I tell you already? They didn't cost much because I made them. The way I expanded the space inside is a family trade secret. My grandma already nagged me about applying it."
Kevin asked, "R-really? So... is it alright for us to keep them?"
Waving my hand, I reassured them, "Don't worry. I was just nagged, but not punished. But I was warned to do things in moderation. So, don't expect too much next Christmas from me."
Ernie laughed, "I somehow find it difficult to believe , coming from you.."
A while later, we reached the castle and directly walked to the Great Hall for dinner, where those that stayed for the Holiday break are waiting for us.
I broke from my fellow Hufflepuff and directly went to where Harry and the Weasleys are seated.
"Hi guys, how are you doing?" I greeted them and sat next to Harry.
Ron welcomed me back, "Welcome back. Thanks for the pouches, mate."
"Mum, already wrote us a letter. She said, to remind you to not give anything to us anything for our birthdays." said Percy.
Outside from the first year, I also sent pouches to some of my friends in school like the Weasleys, Cedric, Cho and Sue.
I then took a wrapped box from my pouch and present it to Fred and George, "Nice try guys."
Fred(or George) reacted, "Oh come on, mate! You didn't open it..."
"We put our heart and soul in that gift." added George (or Fred).
"Yeah, right. I'm pretty sure you put more than your heart and souls in it." I rolled my eye as I hear their complaints.
Turning to Harry, I then noticed his blank expression. I asked, "Hello Harry… Why the long face?"
Potter just let out a sigh, and weakly smile at me, "Nothing, I'm just… under the weather…"
"Ok…" I looked around and the older Weasleys shrugged. My stare fell on Ron, who looked away.
Though I'm asking, I already have an idea what's the problem.
Looking at the faculty table, I find myself locking eyes with Dumbledore.
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8:47 pm, Black Lake, Boathouse
"Mmmmmm!!!"
"Did you miss us, Big guy?" I asked while sitting by the dock to greet the giant squid.
Naji, Tania, Bunta and even Uno followed me and said hello.
I brought a basket of French toasts and started tossing it into the water, "Dig In,.."
After catching up with our massive friend, Uno snuggle close to me while the other three flew over the water and played with the squid's tentacles.
I watch them play while stroking Uno and shielding the two of us from the chilling wind.
However, an uninvited guest interrupted our moment. While still looking over the water, I sighed and said, "Good evening, Headmaster. Won't the cold night wind be bad for your body?"
"Thanks for your concern, Marshall." said Dumbledore as he came closer behind me, "I hope we can start the year more amicably."
I smiled and turned to look at him, "That depends on what else you have in store for the rest of the year, Sir."
"You have to trust that everything has a purpose, young one." said Dumbledore.
Stroking Uno, I asked, "What is the purpose of exposing a first year wizard to a cursed object like the Mirror of Erised? Please, enlighten me, Headmaster."
The old man was surprised but quickly made an excuse, "Did Harry or Ronald told you? Did they tell you that they were out pass the curfew and accidentally stumbled to the mirror?"
"No, they didn't. ..... Harry didn't say that a door 'coincidentally' opened as he passed by…" I said with a somber tone, "He also didn't tell me that you 'coincidentally' appeared on the third night he started fawning over the image of his deceased parents. "
"... He looked into the mirror three times before you warned him, Headmaster… Three times… Long enough to implant the desire in him, but short enough that he won't lose himself…"
"... All coincidental… Right, Headmaster?"
Silence ~
Dumbledore was a lost for words. Why won't he be? I practically admitted that I have ways to monitor what happens in Hogwarts, even when I'm away.
"Don't worry, I won't stop what plans you already have in motion. I'll just keep watch and make sure everyone is safe." I promised.
Dumbledore let out a sigh of relief hearing my words.
The tentacles receded to the water after waving at me. Nagi and the twins flew back to me and I got up, preparing to leave.
The Headmaster then looked at Uno, "Marshall, the unicorn can't roam the castle."
"Don't worry. I know, Sir." I reassured him, "I don't want any bloodsucking parasite to lose control when it sees him."
As I walked pass Dumbledore, I gave a polite nod, "Goodnight, Headmaster."
Leaving Dumbledore at the boathouse and walked up toward the Viaduct courtyard, and when I'm sure that no one is watching… I isolated the space me and my pets were in and opened my mindscape for Uno to enter.
Then I proceeded to make my way pass the entrance hall, the kitchen and toward the corridor where the whine barrels are.
But unexpectedly, I saw the four house ghosts waiting by the entrance to the Hufflepuff common room.
The Gray Lady, floated towards me and asked, "Young Witcherly, Is it true you met Merlin?"
'Oh? …' I'm a bit stumped by the sudden question. Looking at the other three ghosts, it appears that they are eager for my reply.
"Yes, I met Uncle Merlin." I try to probe a bit." Why do you ask?"
"How is that old bookworm?"The Baron asked.
I scratched my head, "He's pretty much alive and well."
*Ding *Dong
The loud bell rang, indicating it is 9 in the evening.
Sir Nicholas Quickly said, "Oh?! It's already late.... Everyone, we'll talk to young Witcherly some other time. He just came back and must be tired.."
The Baron and Fat Fryer said their farewell and floated through the ceiling. Helena stared at me for a bit but reluctantly disappeared as well.
"Sorry for the inconvenience, Young Witcherly. Goodnight.."said Sir Nicholas as he left.
As I entered the Hufflepuff common room, I though, "What's that about?"
~end chapter ~
Sorry guys, the next chapter will be on Mar. 25.
