Speak Up - Female Deaf Harry Potter AU

The Forbidden Forest

On the night of their detention, they said good-bye to Ron in the common room and went down to the entrance hall with Neville. Filch was already there -- and so was Malfoy. Harry had also forgotten that Malfoy had gotten a detention, too. Neville was there because Professor McGonagall had caught him trying to warn the two of them about Malfoy.

"Follow me," said Filch, lighting a lamp and leading them outside. "I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't you, eh?" he said, leering at them. "Oh yes... hard work and pain are the best teachers if you ask me.... It's just a pity they let the old punishments die out... hang you by your wrists from the ceiling for a few days, I've got the chains still in my office, keep 'em well oiled in case they're ever needed.... Right, off we go, and don't think of running off, now, it'll be worse for you if you do."

Hari wondered what their punishment was going to be as they walked farther onto the grounds. It must be something really horrible, or Filch wouldn't be sounding so delighted. The moon was bright, but clouds scudding across it kept throwing them into darkness. Ahead, Hari could see the lighted windows of Hagrid's hut. Hari's heart rose; if they were going to be working with Hagrid it wouldn't be so bad. Her relief must have showed in her -face, because Filch said, "I suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourself with that oaf? Well, think again, girl -- it's into the forest you're going and I'm much mistaken if you'll all come out in one piece."

At this, Malfoy stopped dead in his tracks. "The forest?" he repeated, "We can't go in there at night -- there's all sorts of things in there -- werewolves, I heard."

Neville clutched the sleeve of Hari's robe, scared.
"That's your problem, isn't it?" said Filch, leering. "Should've thought of them werewolves before you got in trouble, shouldn't you?"

Hagrid came striding toward them out of the dark, Fang at his heel. He was carrying his large crossbow, and a quiver of arrows hung over his shoulder.

"Abou' time," he said. "I bin waitin' fer half an hour already. All right, Hari, Hermione?"

"I shouldn't be too friendly to them, Hagrid," said Filch, "they're here to be punished, after all."

"That's why yer late, is it?" said Hagrid, frowning at Filch. "Bin lecturin' them, eh? 'Snot your place ter do that. Yeh've done yer bit, I'll take over from here."　

"I'll be back at dawn," said Filch, "for what's left of them," he added nastily, and he turned and started back toward the castle, his lamp bobbing away in the darkness.

"I'm not going in that forest," Malfoy said, starting to panic

"Yeh are if yeh want ter stay at Hogwarts," said Hagrid. "Yeh've done wrong an' now yehve got ter pay fer it." It was kind of hard to read people's faces, but the light of the lantern helped.

"But this is servant stuff, it's not for students to do. I thought we'd be copying lines or something, if my father knew I was doing this, he'd - -"

"he'd tell yer that's how it is at Hogwarts," Hagrid growled. "If yeh think yer father'd rather you were expelled, then get back off ter the castle an' pack. Go on"'

Malfoy didn't move. He looked at Hagrid furiously, but then dropped his gaze.

"Right then," said Hagrid, "now, listen carefully, 'cause it's dangerous what we're gonna do tonight, an' I don' want no one takin' risks. Follow me over here a moment."

He led them to the very edge of the forest. Holding his lamp up high, he pointed down a narrow, winding earth track that disappeared into the thick black trees. A light breeze lifted their hair as they looked into the forest. He handed Hari a smaller lantern, then moved the light back to his face so Hari could see him properly.