Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
— (chapter thirteen.) —
Aurora's mind had gone blank with shock. The five of them stood transfixed with horror under the Invisibility Cloak, tightly packed like sardines. The very last rays of the setting sun were casting a bloody light over the long-shadowed grounds. Then, behind them, they heard a wild howling.
"Hagrid," Harry muttered. Without thinking about what he was doing, he made to turn back, but both Ron and Hermione seized his arms. Atlas was watching, gobsmacked, Aurora's hand locked around his upper arm with the other on her mouth.
"We can't," said Ron, who was paper-white. "He'll be in worse trouble if they know we've been to see him...."
Hermione's breathing was shallow and uneven.
"How — could — they?" she choked. "How could they?"
"Come on," said Ron, whose teeth seemed to be chattering.
They set off back toward the castle, walking slowly to keep themselves hidden under the cloak. The light was fading fast now.
By the time they reached open ground, darkness was settling like a spell around them.
"Scabbers, keep still," Ron hissed, clamping his hand over his chest. The rat was wriggling madly. Ron came to a sudden halt, trying to force Scabbers deeper into his pocket. "What's the matter with you, You stupid rat? Stay still — OUCH! He bit me!"
"Bite him back, for goodness sake." said Atlas exasperatedly.
"Ron, Atlas, be quiet!" Hermione whispered urgently. "Fudge'll be out here in a minute — "
"He won't — stay — put — "
Scabbers was plainly terrified. He was writhing with all his might, trying to break free of Ron's grip.
"What's the matter with him?" said Atlas curiously, peering at the rat.
But Aurora had just seen — stinking toward them, his body low to the ground, wide yellow eyes glinting eerily in the darkness — Crookshanks. Whether he could see them or was following the sound of Scabbers's squeaks, Aurora couldn't tell.
"Crookshanks!" Hermione moaned. "No, go away, Crookshanks! Go away!"
