𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐦 {𝐡.𝐣.𝐩}

XVIII- After the Burial

Patches of bright blue sky were beginning to appear over the castle turrets, and these signs of approaching summer had Evergreen in the best mood she'd been in all year.

Harry, however, did not feel the same, and that disappointed her.

He had been thwarted, both in his attempts to find out what Malfoy was doing, and in his efforts to start a conversation with Slughorn that might lead, somehow, to Slughorn handing over the memory he had apparently suppressed for decades. It was quite understandable for him to be upset, but that didn't stop Evergreen from being unhappy with his mood.

"For the last time, just forget about Malfoy," Hermione told Harry firmly.

"Yes, I wish you would," Evergreen sighed. "I can't be happy when you're a grouch."

They were sitting with Ron in a sunny corner of the courtyard after lunch. Hermione and Ron were both clutching a Ministry of Magic leaflet- Common Apparition Mistakes and How to Avoid Them- for they were taking their tests that very afternoon, but by and large the leaflets had not proved soothing to the nerves.

Ron gave a start and tried to hide behind Hermione as a girl came around the corner.

"It isn't Lavender," said Hermione wearily. 

"Oh, good," said Ron, relaxing.

"Harry Potter?" said the girl. "I was asked to give you this."

"Thanks..."

Once the girl was out of earshot Harry said, "Dumbledore said we wouldn't be having any more lessons until I got the memory!"

"Maybe he wants to check on how you're doing?" suggested Hermione, as Harry unrolled the parchment; but, looking over Harry's shoulder, Evergreen was surprised to see an untidy sprawl, very difficult to read due to the presence of large blotches on the parchment where the ink had run, rather than finding Dumbledore's long, narrow, slanted writing.

Dear Harry, Eve, Ron and Hermione,

Aragog died last night. Harry and Ron, you met him, and

you know how special he was. Eve, Hermione, I know you'd have liked him.

It would mean a lot to me if you'd nip down for the burial later this evening.

I'm planning on doing it round dusk, that was his favourite time of day.

I know you're not supposed to be out that late but you can use the cloak.

Wouldn't ask, but I can't face it alone.

Hagrid

"Look at this," said Harry, handing the note to Hermione.

"Oh, for heaven's sake," she said, scanning it quickly and passing it to Ron, who read it through looking increasingly incredulous.

"He wants us to help him mourn a spider?" Evergreen said in a low tone. "A giant fucking spider?"

"Yes, a giant spider! He's mental!" Ron said furiously. "That thing told its mates to eat Harry and me! Told them to help themselves! And now Hagrid expects us to go down there and cry over its horrible hairy body!"

"It's not just that," said Hermione. "He's asking us to leave the castle at night and he knows security's a million times tighter and how much trouble we'd be in if we were caught."