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Three's a Crowd
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 08-11-13 16:03
"Stop it."
Beatrix swiveled her head around to look at Rowan, who sat across from her at a little table in front of Brews & Stews. Her eyes went wide, a sign of her complete innocence.
"What?"
"You're practically drooling, and he isn't even here yet!" Rowan responded.
Beatrix took on a baffled expression. "Any drooling I'm doing is because of this excellent fried egg and avocado breakfast sandwich." She picked up the sandwich in question with both hands and took a hearty bite.
Rowan rolled her eyes and then jumped from her seat, waving at someone down the lane.
Beatrix turned to look and tried to swallow the big mouthful she'd taken, causing her to nearly choke. She started coughing, a bad thing to do with a mouth full of any kind of food.
While Beatrix tried to recover, Ash walked over to their table, the unevenness in his gait even more obvious due to the position of the cobblestones in the street. Rowan threw her arms around his neck and then gestured for him to sit down in the third chair at their tiny table.
"You remember my friend Beatrix?" Rowan asked.
Beatrix was dabbing at her the corners of her eyes, which had begun to stream tears as a consequence of her coughing fit. Her face was very red.
"Yes. Hi again," Ash said.
Beatrix coughed one last time and croaked, "We're glad you could make it."
"Me too." He had used the Floo Network to arrive in Hogsmeade, since he wasn't yet old enough to apparate. At least not in body. In actual years, he was a middle-aged wizard.
He looked up at the façade of the café. "I remember this place. Is the fish soup still on the menu?"
"You want to eat bouillabaisse for breakfast?" Rowan asked, skeptical.
"Bouillabaisse," Beatrix said, having regained some of her natural coloring, "that sounds really… exotic."
"It's French," Ash explained.
"Oooh, do you speak French?"
Rowan kicked Beatrix under the table.
"Ow."
"I was just wondering how much everything we used to know has changed," Ash said to his sister, unaware of what had transpired under the table.
"Some things have changed a lot," Rowan said. "Other things, not so much. I'm still learning, but I don't feel too lost or out of place anymore."
"That's a relief to hear," Ash said. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that over a quarter of a century has passed since we were all last together."
"I know." Rowan flagged down a passing waitress and asked for another menu.
"So, will you spend the whole day with us?" she asked her brother.
"If I won't be a bother," Ash said.
"You won't!" Beatrix quickly replied.
Ash smiled at her. "Thanks."
Beatrix grinned back at him, and Rowan rolled her eyes. "So!" she said, hastily changing the subject, "have you decided what you want to order?"
"What are you having?"
"Beatrix," Rowan cut in, before Beatrix could supply the answer herself, "is eating an egg and avocado sandwich that is apparently so divine it's causing her to drool, and I'm eating a bacon, egg and cheese crescent sandwich."
"Both are good options," Ash said, "but I think I will go with something a little different. Smoked salmon and cream cheese."
"Don't fill yourself up too much," Rowan advised. "You haven't been to Briar's Bakery yet."
"What other stores don't I know?" Ash asked.
Rowan filled him in, with Beatrix giving running commentary.
(London to Cambridge, MA) Saying Goodbye
Author: Rylee
Date: 08-11-13 16:59
I had, after discussing with both Professor Quigley and Professor McGonagall, decided that I would make use of the Hogsmeade Saturday to go see my grandfather Nathaniel who was dying in the States. I'd left Hogwarts with my older sister Nicholette and we'd side-along apparated to her flat in Cambridge, MA early Saturday morning so I could spend as much time with him as I could, and I'd ultimately have to be back at Hogwarts by curfew, thanks to the time difference, and I'd be five hours behind my classmates.
We'd grabbed lunch at her flat, and ultimately headed to the hospital after I'd taken a bit of a nap. I was not a fan of hospitals, and their sterile environment, but it was the best place for my grandfather who was dying. I didn't want to see him dying, but I didn't want him to die thinking that only my eldest sister cared for him. I knew from what Nicholette had told me that Charlotte had come to see him as well and Evetta and Michelle were going to be coming in later today or tomorrow when they could get here. After that no one knew if Emily and Jasmine could make it, and Nicholette was not eager to talk about the arguments she'd had with my parents about coming to visit him before he died.
Nicholette and I were shown into the hospital room by the healer. "Nicholette, can I have a few minutes with him please?"
"Sure, I'll be outside Ry, just poke your head out when you are done."
I nodded and moved toward my grandfather's form, covered by the hospital blanket, machines and other things hooked to him. I had enough knowledge from my own reading and information from Nicholette in her letters about the machinery keeping him alive. I bit my lip and hold back the tears as I sink into the hospital chair and let my fingers slide over the railing of his bed.
"Hi Papa..."
His eyes flutter open and he offers me his famous smile.
"My little RyRy." He murmured, his gnarled hand coming to close over mine and squeeze lightly.
"Papa, I'm glad I got to come see you, to come say good bye." I said softly, bending my head so my forehead could rest against his hand.
"I'm glad you could too sweet one, now, tell me how your quidditch season went? Hmm? Did you do well?"
I shook my head. "My house team lost, my housemates, most of them anyway hate me and blame me for it. I've been hexed, cursed, and everyone wonders why I even bothered trying out for the team." I said offering him a light smile.
"But, there is always next year, because I intend on continuing to play. Hopefully, I'll do better next year, and maybe Slytherin will make the Championship match."
"Ah, but you did your best did you not my sweet RyRy?" He asked, and I nodded.
"Of course Papa, I do my best on everything I do, otherwise I wouldn't be a Marks."
Nathaniel chuckled, and it turned into a hacking cough, which then required me to help him take a sip of water from one of the cups on the bedside table. It would be a few minutes before we could begin talking again, and I watched him, unable this time to stop the tears that trickled down my cheeks at the thought of losing this vibrant man.
"Look in the top drawer by my bed sweet RyRy, there is a box within."
I pulled open the top drawer and pulled out the simple, black lacquered box and held it up. "This one papa?"
"Yes, that one. It is yours, but do not open it until you arrive back at Hogwarts, there are things that your sisters do not need to see, and items that are for you and you alone my sweet RyRy."
I nodded and held the box close, my eyes sliding closed as I leaned into my grandfather. "Thank you Papa, I'll open it tomorrow after I get some sleep." I slipped the box into my messenger bag and bent to kiss him. "Going to get Nicholette..."
I stuck my head out of the room and Nicholette came in and the three of us talked for a few minutes longer until it was time for us to head back to Nicholette's flat where I'd spend a few hours catching up with my sister, since she hadn't been able to come to the Spring Social since she'd been here dealing with stuff for school and keeping company with our grandfather.
Plans and Changes
Author: Marzipan
Date: 08-11-13 17:30
Marzi ducked into Dogweed and Deathcap to buy some herbs for her own personal collection, as well as to restock some of what she needed for her Herbology classes. She normally reserved the restocking for the two months between terms, unless she needed something urgently. The present need wasn't pressing, but Marzi thought that she might as well make some purchases since she was already in the village.
She took a shopping basket from the stack near the front door and went up and down the aisles, perusing the various items for sale. She stopped to study the label on a jar of dried nettles when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
Marzi turned to see her grandmother-in-law standing in just behind her.
"Grandmother Fawley, what brings you to Hogsmeade?"
Marzi had never heard of Weston's grandmother leaving her own neck of the woods.
"Normally, I send a servant out to do my shopping for me, but it is a nice day and it has been an awfully long time since I last visited Hogsmeade, so I decided to venture out on my own. I also thought I might spend some time with my grandson and great grandchildren."
"They are up at the castle. Would you like me to take you to them?"
"That isn't necessary. I will make my way to the castle when I'm finished with my errands," said Redberga Fawley. "It is fortunate that I found you here, as there is a matter I would like to discuss with you."
"Oh?" Marzi queried.
"Yes. Have you considered putting the children in school?"
"Well, they are a bit young," Marzi said, "but I will eventually send them to the new primary school here in the village."
"You will do no such thing," Redberga responded, much to Marzi's surprise. "No descendant of mine should ever attend an ordinary primary school. No, it is my desire that you enroll them in Dartford Prepartory School."
"Dartford Prepartory School? What's that?"
Redberga looked affronted. "Why, it's the most exclusive preschool in all of Britain! My daughter attended Dartford, as I did before her."
"I see," Marzi began slowly. "Weston and I can discuss the option––"
"I will be happy to tell him all about it myself," Redberga said. "I think he will be on board with my recommendation. Now, I believe I have kept you too long from your shopping. We will talk more on the subject later. Goodbye!"
The older witch turned on her heel then and moved down another aisle to the register. Marzi felt as if her feet were glued to the floorboards, but then she recovered control of her muscles again and continued moving down the aisle, filling her basket with items she thought she needed or simply wanted.
When she eventually exited the shoppe, Redberga Fawley was nowhere in sight. However, Marzi's eyes landed on the occupants of a table a few doors down at Brews and Stews Café. Marzi had briefly seen Ash Westwick at Hogwarts last weekend, when he had come to visit his sisters for the annual Spring Social.
It had been quite a shock to see a sixteen year old boy instead of the little nesting doll Marzi had gotten to know so well, thanks to her toddler's obsession with it. What was strangest of all, however, was Vallon's reaction to seeing Ash in person. As if he had known that the boy had at one time been his doll, all the whimpering stopped. In an instant, all the incessant crying, whining and complaining became a thing of the past. Marzi didn't understand it, but she wasn't going to question it.
She tore her gaze from the table and decided she best return to Hogwarts, hoping to intercept her husband before his grandmother visited with her grand idea for the children.
Laser Tag First (Jack & Deak)
Author: Kody
Date: 08-11-13 18:03
Peeling back the paper on an overly large muffin Jack asks Wiggy, "How'd you manage to get out of practice?"
"Coach had some family thing going on today and decided that even though the assistant coaches could run things, he'd let us all off."
Pausing in the process of taking a bite from a doughnut, Deak comments, "Spring Social last week, Hogsmeade this week. You're no longer the golden boy and just don't want to admit it."
Wiggy offers Deak a wilting smile. "Actually, coach had to give me a little extra time off to answer all my fan mail until a secretary can be hired to do that for me."
Jack nearly chokes on a bite of muffin as he laughs at Wiggy's reply to Deak's sarcasm. Deak reaches over and give Jack a thumping on his back to which a now coughing Jack pulls away from protesting, "That's making it worse."
Deak's expression is angelic. "Sorry. Just trying to help." He gestures down the lane. "Want to keep walking around or go on over to Blossom's for that game of wizard's laser tag?"
"I vote play a game now. Take a break after that and walk around then go back for another game then lunch."
Wiggy shakes his head. "Makes no difference to me. What Jack said is fine."
The three friends turn around and backtrack to the gaming center at Blossom's, Jack asking as they go, "Just think, it won't be long we can do this whenever we want?"
"Sort of," Deak says. "With going to uni now, I find when not in class I'm doing homework, doing the assigned reading, or doing research for something, which is what I should be doing today. I can only imagine my schedule if I had a full-time job."
Jack nods at Deak's words. "I guess what I meant was we don't have to wait for a day like Hogsmeade Saturday to get together."
"You can come to all my matches."
"Like I don't already. I have to say, Wiggy, I really thought your fan base would be more than one hundred year old women who forgot their teeth at home."
Wiggy gives Deak a good natured shove.
"Don't forget that Bradana person," Jack reminds.
Wiggy groans. "Don't bring her up. Woman is mental."
"But she's hot," Jack grins.
"Some of those hundred year old women are pretty hot when they remember their teeth."
Jack and Wiggy give Deak looks that indicate they are not going to bother replying to that one. As they've reached Blossom's, they enter the gaming center, thinking to do a round of laser tag just the three of them until someone alone and off to the side approaches and asks if they'd like to do teams. Amenable to the request, the four are soon outfitted in the laser tag gear, special laser tag wands in hand.
Not So Shocking Discovery
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 08-11-13 18:17
The lines were already crazy at Briar's and so I ultimately headed to Brews & Stews and grabbed one of their breakfast sandwiches that had egg, avocado and bacon on a buttery croissant, it was absolutely fantastic and I paired it with a glass of orange juice.
I'd opted to head to the village myself, Eric wasn't feeling well and was staying back at the Castle with Madame Pomfrey and he'd given me a list of a few items that he wanted me to grab while I was in the village. Broderick and Driz would be heading to the village a little while later, and Angharad was currently hanging out with Perla.
I'd been wandering after eating breakfast, figuring out what I wanted to do today while I was in the village. I planned on going into Gladrags and grabbing a few new summer outfits, as well as picking up the few things that Eric needed and I think Isma had said something about a laser tag game later, probably after lunch.
For now, I'd wandered through the village, and was just passing the owl post, and there were a pair of people hidden in the shadows. I watch for a minute, stepping back when they start moving, and even duck into the owl post as they pass by.
I blink, as I catch Anghard and Perla stepping out of the shadows. They were parting ways for a little while, and I just stared as Angharad and Perla kissed - wait a minute? Was my sister dating Perla?
I gave it a few minutes, before I caught up with Angharad. "Want to come into Gladrags with me?" I hooked my arm in hers and guided her into Gladrags.
"What's up Cai?"
"Just wanted to spend some time with ya, haven't talked to you in a while. How is your studying going for OWLs?"
"Pretty good, was gonna ask if you would help me with Herbology, since I know you are doing better than I am."
"Yeah, I can do that, if you help me with DADA please."
"Not a problem at all."
We talked while we shopped through the store and each of us grabbed a couple of things.
"Angharad, can I ask you a question?"
She looked at me, brow raised.
"Sure...?"
I nodded and ran a hand through my hair, sighing lightly before I pressed forward after we paid for our purchases from Gladrags and headed out onto the village once more.
"How long have you been seeing Perla?"
Angarad sighed, and turned to face me. "It's been a little while now, I'm not ready to tell anyone else yet, and I was hoping that no one would have found out. Please don't say anything yet?"
I nodded and gave her a hug. "Don't worry, I won't say anything. But, just know that I think it is great that you've found someone. You are awesome Angharad." I said with a smile.
She hugged me back before we headed in separate directions.
(Edgar) Licorice Wands
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 08-12-13 03:05
Honeydukes was completely full with students. Edgar found himself crushed between a expositor filled with chocolate frogs and a girl that had three times his height. He did the best he could to try to free himself and once he did so his eyes searched around the store for the Licorice Wands.
He finally found the area where they were sold, only to find out there was only one package left, right on the top of a shelf. He put himself on his tiptoes ready to reach for it, but he wasn't the only one with those intentions. Winifred Hicks, a Hufflepuff from his year, had also tried to reach for the package, but since Edgar was taller he managed to grab it.
He noticed Winifred's disappointed face and he quickly handed her the package, saying he would find something else to buy. But Winifred suggested that they could split the wands between the two and each one would only have to pay half the price. It seemed like a good idea and, they opened their way towards the register in order to buy the licorice wands.
It was a relief when they left the crowded shop, back into the street. By mutual consent, they went to the Hogsmeade Park nearby and sat in one of the benches, under a fresh shadow provided by a tree.
Winifred opened the package of licorice wands and handed one to Edgar, who quickly devoured it. She took one of herself as well. As they eat, they spoke about the upcoming Championship match.
"This will be Hufflepuff's year," Winifred told Edgar. "For the two past years we lost against Slytherin. Now it's our turn to win. Third time's a charm, right?"
"I guess," Ed replied. "I'm just upset Gryffindor didn't make it. For 10 points! It's frustrating."
"I agree. I would have felt the same. But hey, there's always next year, right?"
Edgar nodded. He then spotted Evelyn passing by, followed by her two friends Dinah Northington and Envirude Walthrop. There was no doubt that Evelyn was the leader of the group and she was the one who told her friends which shop they should go and for how long they should stay in there. Edgar had never sympathized with Dinah or Envirude and he was not looking forward to the summer holidays because Evelyn had plans to invite her friends to come over their house for a few days.
Edgar liked to secretly call them the Evil Triad because Evelyn and her two friends did nothing but to gossip about others, spreading evil over the school. At times, he felt bad for being a bit cruel towards his sister but he still had a bruise on his right leg, when she kicked him on purpose, during a football match at the Fitness & Athletics class.
His sister sent a look at him and Winifred and moments later she was whispering and giggling with her two friends. Edgar knew that it would be a matter of time until her sister would come to him and ask if Winifred Hicks was his new girlfriend. She always liked to tease him whenever he saw him with a girl. In the past, it had been Alcmene but since their little quarrel involving Luke, Edgar had drifted apart from her.
At Ancient Runes, a subject that at first he didn't want to take but he ended up liking a lot, he started to seat next to Winifred, when he used to share his desk with Alcmene, who now preferred to keep her distance. Evelyn had Ancient Runes as well and he was sure she had already noticed his interaction with Winifred.
He would have to prepare himself to be teased and to tease her back. The problem was Evelyn would rarely been seen hanging out with boys and so he would have to think about something else. Or maybe, like his mother kept telling him, he should just ignore his sister. Yvonne Steele said that the day one of them stopped replying to each other's provocations, it would be the day she would have some peace in her house.
Thank Merlin Winifred didn't really seem to notice Evelyn and instead she asked Edgar if he was considering trying out for the Quiddditch team next year.
"Probably," he replied. "But I am not sure if I'll play as a beater again. I'm leaning towards a position as chaser. But we shall see. First, I need to think about the upcoming exams. I have no idea how I am going to pass Transfiguration. It's not like I can't transform a teapot into a tortoise or a hedgehog into a pincushion. I actually do a decent job, except a few flaws here and there. But when it comes to the theory…It's all too complex and I have the feeling Professor Flint will want us to write a lot instead of actually transfigure anything. "
Winifred expressed the same worries as Edgar. They kept talking about their exams and other topics related to the school as together they finished the package of licorice wands.
Something Unexpected
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 08-12-13 17:54
Even though the shop Fritz works in isn't one that sees a lot of Hogwarts students, being a potions shop and not something more inviting like the sweetshop or the gaming centre, business has been very steady at J. Pippin's Potions. Some students have come in to buy ingredients and glassware, though they seem exclusively fifth and seventh year students anxiously anticipating their end of year exams.
Fritz can remember very vividly what it was like to first worry over the O.W.L. exams and then to panic over the N.E.W.T.s. He's glad those days are behind him, though finals week at the end of each St. Emrys term can be just as stressful.
He is just weeks away from receiving his Tertiary Order of Potions degree and plans on furthering his education when classes resume in the fall. Fritz has come a long way from first finding out about magic as a boy.
He carefully wraps a bulbous glass in paper and then places it inside a sturdy J. Pippin's shopping bag, along with several more glasses of the same shape but different sizes. By the time he's finished, the customer he is helping, an older gentleman with tufts of hair growing out of his ears, has counted out exact change from his money pouch. He slides the coins across the counter top and says, "That should do it."
Fritz makes quick work of double checking the amount and then adds it to the till. He hands the man the sack and says, "Have a nice day!"
He turns his back to finish putting away some herbs in the various bins behind the counter, when the door bell chimes again. At first, Fritz thinks it might be Coco, who is also working in Hogsmeade today and suggested they have lunch together, but it is early yet and the visitor is clearly not his girlfriend. Instead, the new arrival consists of a pair of wizards who look like they mean business, and not of the potioneering kind.
"May I help you?" Fritz politely asks.
"Are you Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen?" one of the wizards asks, pronouncing Fritz's last name without a single stumble.
Fritz begins to grow nervous. "Yes?" he replies, his tone uncertain and full of questions.
"I'm Savage, and this is Proudfoot. We're aurors at the Ministry of Magic, and we need to bring you in for questioning. Will you come freely, or do we need to take you in by force?"
Fritz holds up his hands and shakes his head. "I'll come with you, but can you tell me what this is about?"
"This is about Berthold Beatenberg," Savage says. "I believe you know him personally."
Fritz feels the color drain from his face. He turns his head to call out to his coworker in the back room, and then steps out from behind the counter to go with the two aurors to the Ministry. He knows he's in trouble, but he doesn't know how much.
Getting The Kids Out Of The House
Author: Charlie Weasley
Date: 08-12-13 18:33
"Mummy, more milk, please."
"Mum. Mum. Mum. Tie this. Mum."
"Has boo boo, Mummy. Kissies."
Hendrika puts her hands to her face in a manner that has Ava thinking Mummy is going to play peek-a-boo. Hendrika would much rather play hide and seek, picking a spot the children would never find her. She takes a deep breath then slowly lets it out, ignoring for a few seconds the continued requests of her three children.
When sure she won't snap at them she drops her hands from her face. "Schuyler, your glass was refilled not two minutes ago. Did you drink the milk that fast or did you spill?"
Schuyler mulls over his response before saying, "Both."
"Take the rag by the sink and ask Daddy to help you clean up the spill then ask him to come to the kitchen."
She turns to her younger son. "What do you need tied, Artie?"
"Bear's shoe."
Hen holds out her hand to accept the teddy bear that is Artie's current favorite toy. As she ties she looks to two year old Ava. "Where's your boo boo, sweets?"
Ava tilts her bended arm up to tap a spot just above the elbow. Hen leans over to give the spot a kiss then hands Bear back to Artie. She smiles at both as she says, "Go play. Have fun while Mummy finishes this work."
"Mummy has fun?" Ava ask, lifting up on tiptoe to try and peer at what Hendrika has spread over the table.
"I wish it were fun," Hen tells her.
"I want some fun," Charlie says, coming in with Schuyler. "You requested me?"
"Are you busy?"
"Not really, no."
"I have to finish this research so I can finish writing this paper but I have had three munchkins the past hour who seem to think I'm the only parent able to help them with anything."
"You should have said something sooner."
"You were seeing to the yardwork."
"It wasn't pressing." Charlie turns to looks at the three children, clapping his hands in the process. "Who wants to go to Auntie Briar's for a sweet?"
"Me do!" "Me, me!" "I do!" say Ava, Artie, and Schuyler.
"You will need shoes and I think we should have clean hands and faces at least until we get our sweets."
The children scatter to comply. Charlie tells Hendrika, "We'll take a few hours, eat lunch out. Maybe we'll go visit Mum and Dad."
"Thank you. Love you."
"Love you more," Charlie says with a grin before giving her a kiss.
Soon, he's leaving the house with the three kids, Briar's Bakery their goal. Charlie wants to also swing by Twice Told Tales and ask Julian about the playdates he's been working to put together with kids near Jasmine's and Xavier's ages. From there they may visit Blossom's for a few games. It is a Hogsmeade weekend for Hogwarts students but few, if any, would be interested in the games geared for the younger set so there shouldn't be a problem with having to wait their turns.
They'll do lunch after that, though maybe not here in town because of all the restaurants being busier than usual thanks to those Hogwarts students. Perhaps they'll go to the Burrow first and invited Molly and Arthur to lunch with them. After that, who knows? Could be time to consider getting either a kitten or a puppy, something Hendrika and Charlie have been discussing. A new pet would definitely keep the kids preoccupied for a time once home again.
Reaching High Street, Charlie realizes he can't forget that at some point Ava will need a nap. Even though they're 7 and 6 now, Schuyler and Artie may as well if he keeps them active for several hours. Could be something to do after lunch, at the Burrow. With that in mind, Charlie walks with Ava holding his hand and the two boys skipping along just ahead for the bakery, looking forward to a little sugar rush himself.
Breaking the Rules
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 08-13-13 03:10
"So now I am going to throw the ball at you and you must hit it with the bat," Sophie explained to Caleb.
The two of them were at the grounds, nearby the Forbidden Forrest. Sophie was trying to teach Caleb some baseball. She had learned to play the game at Fitness & Athletics, although there were still several aspects of the sport that she didn't quite get just yet. Estine had tried to explain it to her, but Sophie kept swapping or changing the rules.
Nevertheless, she felt like she could teach some of the basic stuff to Caleb. He didn't have Fitness & Athletics but he was curious about the baseball because it had been a common topic between the first years.
Caleb held the bat tight in his hands and Sophie could not help to think that he would never become a beater. He was short and had a light constitution. His brown hair fell down his forehead and he moved his head in order to put it away.
"Ready?" Sophie asked, holding the baseball ball.
"Ready!" he replied.
Sophie counted to three and threw the ball at him. Caleb wasn't able to hit it. The same thing happened with the next few attempts and she knew she was right thinking he could never be a beater. But finally Caleb was able to hit the ball with the wooden bat and the two of them watched as the round white object landed somewhere the Forbidden Forest.
"Ups…"
Caleb put down the bat, looking embarrassed. He turned his head to Sophie, and was about to apologize, but she went ahead and said she didn't blame him for what had happened. Instead, she looked around and since there was no one nearby she started to walk towards the Forbidden Forest.
"Sophie! You can't!" Caleb protested, following her. "Students can't go in there."
"I know," she replied, a trace of anguish in her voice. Her heart was beating fast and she was scared. She didn't know if it was because she was about to break a major school rule, or if it was because she was afraid to encounter some dangerous beast inside the forest. "But it's Estine's ball and I need to give it back to her later."
Sophie was more concerned about Estine and the fact she might be sad if she didn't have her baseball ball back, instead of the safety of her own skin. Caleb wished to tell her to be a little more selfish, but she quickly entered the forest, holding her wand tight, as if her life depended on it. He had no option but to follow his best friend.
The Forbidden Forrest resembled to any other forest Sophie had seen. However, she couldn't help to feel frightened. In her mind she pictured herself being attacked by a werewolf or swollen into a hole underground and devoured by giant cockroaches. Something touched her shoulder and she screamed in panic.
"It's just me…" Caleb said. He too was holding his wand and looked in every direction, making a frenetic movement with his head. "The ball can't be that far. I didn't hit it too hard…I wish I knew a spell to recover the ball. I'm sure there is one for this type of situations, but know I can't think of any. Maybe I'll ask my aunt, or just look into the library…"
"Hush!" Sophie told him.
There was a noise coming from their left. Steps. Something was approaching.
Caleb put himself in front of her, probably acting as a gentleman, but he didn't constitute a proper protection barrier, since he was a head shorter than her. Still Sophie admired his bravery. Suddenly a large hairy form stepped aside a few bushes. The two children sighed in relief. It was Hagrid and he had the baseball ball in his large hand.
"I believe this belong to yeh," he said, offering the ball to Caleb, who passed it to Sophie.
They thanked Hagrid and he then started to escort them out of the forest. He advised them not to play so close to the forest and this time he was not going to tell anyone they had broken the rules, but they had to promise him they wouldn't comeback.
Sophie and Caleb promised so to Hagrid. Then, for their surprise, the keeper of the keys and grounds at Hogwarts invited them to their hut, for tea. They accepted his invitation, deciding that they had enough baseball for the day and they were thankful that Hagrid had helped them.