Side Effects (Harry Potter Various x OC)

Chapter 12: Christmas Eve Part 1

It took Cedric Diggory around 43 seconds to realize he was no longer in mortal danger. His tired panting echoed around the prefect bathroom as he tried to process what had just happened.

"How did you? When did we? What was that thing?" The boy gasped, Turning to the oddly calm girl that had saved him. She couldn't be more than 13 yet she didn't even seem fazed by almost dying. If anything she seemed annoyed at the whole ordeal.

"Tell me what happened before Ol' Bessy showed up." Was the response he got from the younger girl. She wasn't even looking at him. Her attention was on the fancy looking bathroom, checking under the sinks, and running her hands over the mermaid styled mural that covered the walls. Like she was searching for a hidden button or switch.

"How did you get us through the wall?" Cedric asked, ignoring her question.

"With a spell, now would you please answer my question. And set the poor kid down." She said, pointing to the petrified student who was still floating in the air.

Cedric had completely forgotten about Jason Gilbert, but at her words he set him down on one of the benches as gently as he could.

"He was talking to one of the paintings. I stopped to tell him the feast was starting, that's when we heard hissing." Cedric said, with a tilted head. "How did you know how to fight that thing?" He asked, once the 2nd year hufflepuff was safely on the bench.

"After the first attack I studied the history from 50 years ago, and tried to find some information on monsters that caused petrification." Wini lied smoothly, leaning back against the bathroom wall. "Most of which do it based on sight or touch."

Cedric Digory was a handsome looking boy. Probably in his fourth or fifth year, fluffy brown hair, hazel eyes, and a charming smile. And he seemed nice enough despite all his inquiries. And it made sense that he was confused, a giant snake just attacked him in the middle of Hogwarts.

But Wini was not in the mood to answer questions. She was too busy trying to figure out why Ol Bessy chased them instead of retreating. Obviously Tom was involved, and had somehow gotten his paws into Ginny. But how?

"I guess I should probably be thanking you." He said, noticing the stressed look on the girl's face. "I'm Cedric Digory."

Wini was about to answer with her real name when she thought better of it. If he didn't know who saved him, she wouldn't attract attention. Plus then he wouldn't come looking to ask her more questions.

"Im... Hazle." She said, blurting out the first thing she saw. Which were his caramel colored eyes. "Hazle Sweet."

Cedric wrote off her odd way of speaking to nerves and exhaustion. She was such a little thing, even if she was acting calm.

"We should probably tell one of the teachers," he said, brushing the brown hair out of the petrified boy's face. "Do you think it's still waiting outside for us?"

Wini could tell he was trying to be brave. Poor kid had probably never expected the monster to be real. Hufflepuffs especially were convinced Harry was the one petrifying people. Calling him the monster in the Chamber of Secrets.

"Maybe." Wini shrugged, walking towards the large stained glass window. "But I doubt it will stick around long."

"Yeah, it's not hard to notice a giant serpent wandering the halls."

An awkward silence filled the bathroom after that. The two students didn't know each other, and they were sharing the space with a petrified body. Not exactly the most mingle friendly environment. But that didn't stop the 4th year Hufflepuff from trying.