ch 88 Angry Birds

April 7, 1992 2:14 pm, Tuesday Hogwarts Library

-Third-person POV-

"I can't believe, Witcherly doesn't find what's wrong with harvesting human body parts," Hermione continued to rant about earlier discussion.

Ron frowned, "Hermione, Marshall is only explaining that it is the norm in the Magical community. He also advises that everyone should find out more about the topic before passing judgment."

*Bam!

Hermione put down several thick books she gathered and sat down in front of the two. She sighed and said, "That's why I'm reading these books. I'm trying to understand the situation better, so I can talk back to Marshall."

Harry then suggested, "Marshall also said we should talk to the teachers. Why don't you try asking Professor McGonagall or the matron in the hospital wing. I remember when we visited Woods when he was battered badly after a match, the matron made him drink… What's that called? Skelegrow?"

"Skele-Gro!" corrected Hermione. She huffed and started flipping through the books. Her expression started with bewilderment, to disgust, to angry and ended with her face all scrunched up.

Marshall was right, the Magical community did go through changes for just banning the use of human body parts for most of the old uses, except for some helpful potions like Skele-Gro.

Each progressive change on the matter, was met with resistance, mainly from the old folks who were held bent on sticking to their old ways.

The current Law and system put in place is nothing more of a miracle to even be standing and implemented today considering everything that she read.

Closing the book in her hand, Hermione recalled what Marshall said, 'The practice still exists because there was a necessity and demand. If one wishes to ban the whole human harvesting altogether, then we need to create an alternative solution that doesn't use human body parts.'

Her thoughts were interrupted when a dark brown owl swooped in above the three and dropped a letter.

Seeing the familiar owl, Harry caught the letter and read it. He smiled and said to his friends, "Hagrid said that the egg is showing signs of hatching. If we want to see it, we can go to his hut during dinner."

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3:32 pm Vegetable greenhouse

- Marshall's POV-

"Oh, so that's why Harry didn't come with you guys today. Granger is on another tantrum. Can't blame them, even we were shocked earlier. Watching the bone dissolved in the cauldron is quite disturbing…" said Terry Boot who joined our little study group with the Slytherins.

Tracy then said, "I'm guessing that we will also experience that in our next Potion Class. Just thinking about it gives me chills."

"It's not like you aren't aware that the strength potion and Skele-Gro uses human bones…" Daphne commented.

"Well… So far, we only dealt with plant and animal ingredients. This will be our first time handling human parts. Don't you find it disgusting?" Tracy asked.

Greengrass paused for a second and answered, "You know my sister's previous condition. In our search for finding a cure, we exhausted any possible options…"

The hidden meaning in Daphne's words stopped Tracy from continuing with the topic.

I turned to Naomi, Kevin, and Justin and asked them, "You guys alright?"

The three were sharing a book with illustrations of birds. It's obvious that they became quiet ever since Potion class.

They gave a weak smile and just nodded.

I realize something and advised them, "Oh yeah. Uhm… It is better to not mention the use of human body parts to your folks back at home."

The three Muggle borns figured out what I'm saying and just nodded. Their parents might pull them out of school if they found out about the human organ use in our Potion class.

Seeing they are somewhat alright, I then focus on the pile of rocks in front of me.

I suddenly had an inspiration on how to cheer up everyone.

'Let's release some stress. Shall we?!'

With a wave of my wand and casting, "Avifor!", the pile transforms into a flock of house sparrow that immediately flew up and circled us.

Standing up and looking at a large boulder in a distance from us, I point my wand toward the boulder and yelled, "Oppugno!"

My flock of house sparrow hover for a split second in the air and instantly flew toward the boulder with incredible speed, colliding with the target with force.

*Pak!*Pak!*Pak*Pak*Pak*Pak*Pak!

Everyone was surprised by what I did. Justin stood up and asked, "Cool! What spell is that?"

Whatever negative atmosphere we had a second ago was quickly forgotten.

Good thing that they are still kids. Cheering them up was easy, especially with magic.

To not lose the momentum, I briefly explained to them how to cast the Oppugno Jinx. I even erected several ice sculptures using the ice ability I got from Avatar Long.

With a visible target, our little study group became a rage therapy session, where we just smash and pulverize ice sculptures with birds to relieve some stress.

Watching birds smash toward the sculptures kamikaze style was hilarious. The scene reminds me of Angry Birds.

Remembering the video game, I transform one big rock into a very fat duck and command it to hit a sculpture. Upon impact, before the duck change back to a rock, it let out a very loud "QUACK!!"

"""PFFT...Hahahahaha!!!""""

We all laughed hard, hearing the duck's quack.

We tried to outdo each other by creating the most comical looking birds we can think of, or by increasing the number of our birds.

When we return to the castle before dinner, we were all smiles remembering how our birds smash toward their doom.

Amidst the laughter, I sensed Harry, Hermione, and Ron sneak out of the castle and make their way toward Hagrid's hut.

I just let them be, and reminded myself to watch over them so they won't end up in detention like the original story.

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6:08 pm Hogwarts Ground, Hagrid's hut

-Harry's POV-

Dinnertime…

Hermione, Ron, and I are running across the wet ground to Hagrid's hut. We knock on the door and it opens.

Hagrid opened the door and cautiously looked left and right. He quickly said, "Were you followed? No? Quick! Come in! Come in!"

As we enter the hut, we were immediately assaulted by sweltering heat. We noticed Hagrid wearing an apron and mitten on his hand.

"You kids are just in time. Just take a seat at the table." instructed Hagrid as he walks toward the fireplace and grabbed the rattling cauldron.

The half-giant then placed the cauldron on the table and reach in with his mitten hands, taking out the dragon egg.

Looking at the egg, I commented, "Marshall would surely be thrilled seeing the dragon."

"Oh! Please! Don't tell Marshall. Please!" Hagrid quickly pleaded. He explained, "Marshall might like magical creatures, but he would not like me keeping a dragon."

Frowning, I asked, "Why?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and said, "Because Marshall won't approve keeping a dragon here. Remember when he dealt with the trolls last Halloween? He didn't think twice putting down anything that posed as a threat to anyone."

Our discussion was interrupted when we heard some crackling sound coming from the egg on the table.

The egg rattles and cracks. Pieces fly off as a dragon emerges. It squeaks and slips on an egg piece.

Ron smiled, "I was right! It is a Norwegian Ridgeback."

The dragon looked around, and its gaze settled on Hagrid. It let out a cute squeak.

With a smile, Hagrid put his face near the dragon while saying, "Isn't he beautiful? Oh. Bless him, look. He knows his mummy. Hehe. Hallo, Norbert."

"Norbert?" I asked in surprise.

"Yeah, well, he's got to have a name, doesn't he?" replied by Hagrid.

I could see Hermione and Ron show a wry smile, seeing how the huge guy act.

Norbert backs away, hiccups and blows a fireball of fire into Hagrid's beard.

We got surprised and scared seeing that the baby dragon breath out fire.

Hagrid quickly put out the fire on his beard and let out a chuckle, "Ohh! Oooh, ooh, ooh, well…he'll have to be trained up a bit, of course. Are you hungry, little guy? Are you? Oh? Where is my manner, have you young'uns have dinner yet? Do you need me to cook something?"

"No, we brought our own." Ron quickly said. We already experienced taking a bite of Hagrid's rock cake. Something we don't want to experience again.

We each reached in our enchanted pouch and took out the dinner we ordered earlier. Good thing, Marshall has included a takeout option in case students are sick and can't eat in the Great Hall.

While having dinner, we took turns tossing some food to the baby dragon, who happily ate anything we give it.

We spent quite some time in Hagrid's hut. Around 11 pm, the three of us left.

On the way to the castle, I took out my Invisibility Cloak from my pouch and the three of us hid under it.

Though we move slowly, we were assured that we won't be seen by anyone.

When we arrived at the Transfiguration Courtyard, we saw Filch holding a lamp walking toward the suspension bridge.

"Where to now?" asked Ron.

Hermione suggested, "Let's take the stone bridge and enter the castle through the Ravenclaw tower."

I'm familiar with the way from the time last Christmas when I'm going to the room where the Mirror of Erised was stored, so I agreed.

From where we are, we need to past the potion classroom near the dungeon to reach the stone bridge.

Under the Invisibility Cloak, we slowly change route.

"Ouch! Don't step on my foot!" Ron complained.

Hermione argued, "Then try giving a bit of space will you?"

Hearing the two bicker, I joked, "Quiet, you two. You sound like an old married couple."

Ron quickly denied, "Who are you calling a couple? With whom? Her? Com'on I would rather fight a dragon."

Hermione got offended, "Excuse me?! You're no prince charming, either. Lazy idiot!!"

I smirked hearing their reaction.

*SMASH!!

When we got to where the potion classroom was, we heard a sound of glass breaking.

I quickly warned the two, "Guys! Did you hear that? Sounds like glass breaking. It's coming from that room…"

The two stopped arguing and listen in hearing another glass breaking from the room next to the Potion Classroom.

Hermione said, "That's Snape's Potion store room. Is Snape inside?"

"Let's see what he's doing." I said and pulled the Invisibility Cloak, making the two walk with me.

Ron protested, "Harry. If it's Snape, won't we be in trouble if we get caught?"

I flapped the cloak a little and reassured him, "Don't worry. We just need to be under the cloak, and he won't see us."

As we got closer, I feel my scar on my forehead starts to hurt. The pain became unbearable, and I fell onto my knee.

""Harry!"" Hermione and Ron called out to me with concern.

*SLAM!!

The door of the potion room opened and a black hooded figure came out.

Seeing the hooded figure that looks like a grim reaper, the pain in my forehead intensify to the point that I feel like passing out.

Ron quickly bent his knee, catching me and Hermione covered my mouth, so I won't make a sound.

We see the hooded figure looking around as if searching something.

Good thing that even when I stumbled, the Invisibility Cloak covered the three of us perfectly.

The figure then went back to the store room and came out holding a bag. It quickly floated and went above us.

Unfortunately, the bag it was holding bumped into Ron's head.

The black entity got startled and quickly look back at our direction and slowly extending its hand.

It took every strength I have to not lose consciousness as the creepy hand got near us.

Before the hand reach us, we heard multiple sounds of somethings dropping on the floor.

*Tik *Tak *Tik *Tak*Tik *Tak

The hand halted and the black figure look over where the sounds were coming from.

The three of us also turned to the sound came from and saw Marshall holding his wand with his right hand and a yellow pouch with his left.

Several rocks of different sizes are falling out from his pouch. There was even a boulder that came out.

Marshall looks at the black figure with a smile and said, "Eat feathers, Birdbrain!"

Pointing at the pile of rocks and boulder, Marshall yelled, "AVIFOR!"

One by one, the rocks turned into different birds. There are sparrows, falcons, owls, fat ducks, storks, turkeys, roosters, and a large ostrich.

*Oaahhhh!

The black figure let out a howl and lunge at Marshall, who was surrounded by birds.

Marshall points his wand at the black figure and yelled, "OPPUGNO!"

Immediately, all the birds surrounding Marshall flew toward the black figure, colliding their body.

*Hoo! *Tweet! *QUACK!!! *BaKAAk!

Upon impact, the birds let out a chirp or a squawk before turning back into stones and dropping to the ground.

We saw the large ostrich dash straight to the dark figure, pushing it back.

We saw Marshall cast the Avifor spell again to the fallen stones and boulder, and ordered the resulting birds to attack the hooded figure once more with the Oppugno Jinx.

Marshall repeated the cycle over and over again. In between spells, we can hear Marshall let out a laugh.

We were so scared a while ago. Now, seeing the different birds attacking the creepy dark figure, we can't help but also chuckle. I even forgot the pain in my forehead.

"ROOAARR!!!"

The hooded figure roared in angered, grabbed the bag and run to the opposite direction.

*QUACK! *BaKAaa!

A few of the birds chase after the figure.

"Man, that was fun!" Marshall, still chuckling, walked over to us and grabbed the hem of the cloak, raised it and looked at the three of us, "You guys, Ok?! We better move or the teachers and Filch will come over here."

Ron said, "Thanks, mate! Harry seems hurt."

I tried to get up, and Ron and Marshall helped me get back on my feet. Feeling my forehead, I explained, "My scar started hurting when that 'thing' appeared.'"

Hermione frowned and asked, "What is that thing?"

Shrugging his shoulder, Marshall said, "Not sure. It's been going around the castle for some time now, searching for something. The teachers try to chase after it, but it always disappears somewhere."

Hermione looked at Marshall and asked, "How are you out at night?"

While putting back the stones and boulder back into his pouch, Marshall laughed, "Please! You guys aren't the only ones roaming the castle at night. Some students do the same. Fred and George are better than you three at avoiding the teachers and Filch. Such a waste of the Invisibility Cloak's potential."

Ron and I gave each other a knowing look. I then put the cloak back in my pouch.

After cleaning up, Marshall grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the stone bridge. Hermione and Ron followed us.

When we reached the bridge, Marshall looked up the castle and said, "I think it's better for you guys to enter through one of the windows near your common room."

"How? We can't fly?" asked Ron.

Marshall smiled at us and took out a handkerchief. He tossed it on the ground and softly said, "Tapete!"

The handkerchief enlarges into a rug before our eyes and floated a few feet off the ground.

I have to adjust my glasses and asked, "Is that... a magic carpet?"

"Quickly now. Ask questions later. Get on!" Marshall hurriedly instructed.

The three of us just followed along and boarded the carpet. Marshall sat at the front and said, "Hang on!"

Hang on to what? There was no handle or railing. The three of us grabbed each other and me and Ron each grab Marshall's shoulder.

The carpet quickly rose from the ground and in a few seconds we are beside the window of our Gryffindor Common room.

I looked down and imagine myself falling from the carpet and hitting the hard rocks below.

Hermione grabbed Ron's arm when she looked down.

"Ehem! You can get off now." Marshall playfully said.

After the three of us alight from the carpet and into our Gryffindor Common room, we looked back at Marshall on his carpet.

He gave us a salute, and he and the carpet flew back down the castle.

This silly friend of ours can be so cool sometimes.

Watching him disappear, Ron said, "Do you think we could borrow his carpet next time?"

"Next time!? Next time, we would be expelled!!!" Hermione yelled and run off toward the girl's dorm.

Ron and I let out a laugh, and we walked to our dorm.

I still feel a lingering pain on my forehead and remember the black hooded figure and though to myself, 'Who is that?'

~end chapter ~

Next chapter is on May 27th.

Date May 26 2024. Chapter Delay: Sorry Guys.Nxt chapter will be next week.We just got hit by a nasty storm. ..