Ch82- A Piggy On A Broom
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As he turned to leave, Harry made sure to show every part of the corridor to the Enchanted Mirror for Distant Viewing. Despite its limitations on protected areas, he hoped to spy on the location later. If successful, he planned to monitor if anyone approached the corridor, be it student or faculty. If students wandered near, he would observe if the Compelling Zone affected them too. If faculty appeared, he aimed to see their awareness of the zone. Although Dumbledore was his first suspect, perhaps the headmaster was merely a senile, incompetent old fool.
After ensuring the mirror had a complete view of the area, Harry sent it back to his inventory along with the Magical Compass. With a deep sigh, he began to descend the stairs, the weight of discovery heavy on his mind.
"Gave up on exploring, Master Harry?" Nigel's voice carried a teasing edge. "Did the thrill of mystery lose its allure, or are you simply afraid of a little dark corridor?"
Harry responded with a slight smile, his tone even. "I don't feel like it anymore, Nigel. There's a time for bravery and a time for wisdom. Let's just say I'm choosing the latter this morning."
He made his way to the Great Hall for breakfast, the morning light casting long shadows through the tall windows. As he sat at the Slytherin table, Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott joined him. Draco Malfoy and his cronies were notably absent.
"Good morning, Potter," Zabini greeted with a yawn, stretching his arms above his head, while Nott simply nodded in acknowledgment.
Harry nodded in return, his mind still occupied with the corridor's enigma. "Morning, Zabini, Nott. Sleep well?" he inquired politely, hoping to engage in light conversation to clear his mind.
Zabini, rubbing his eyes, replied, "As well as one can in a dungeon, I suppose. You look like you've been up for hours. Early morning plotting, Potter?"
Harry chuckled, a sound that drew a few curious glances from nearby students. "Something like that. Just a bit of exploration," he replied cryptically.
Nigel, seizing the opportunity for a jab, whispered in Harry's mind, "Ah yes, the daily adventures of Harry Potter. Who needs sleep when there are mysteries to solve and potentially lethal corridors to investigate?"
Harry suppressed a smile at Nigel's sarcasm. He turned his attention to the breakfast spread before him, filling his plate with bacon and eggs.
Harry's plans for the day solidified as he finished his breakfast in the Great Hall. He intended to visit Hagrid later, seeking insights into the magical creatures within the Enchanted Haven Briefcase. He also hoped to gather information about the third-floor corridor from the amiable half-giant. However, Harry was uncertain if Hagrid would be inclined to have such a conversation with him, given their limited interactions.
Sighing softly, Harry took out a piece of parchment and began to pen a formal letter to Hagrid. His quill moved swiftly across the paper, composing a polite and concise request for a meeting. As he finished, he whistled softly, and Hedwig swooped down gracefully to his side. Harry fed her some treats and gently stroked her head before attaching the letter to her leg.
Daphne and Tracey arrived at this time and sat next to Harry, their curiosity piqued as they observed him dispatching Hedwig with a letter. Tracey, ever the inquisitive one, leaned in and asked, "Who was that for, Potter?"
Harry continued eating, looking up from his plate to her. "Hagrid," he replied, his tone casual. "I need some information about creatures. He's one of the best available for that sort of thing."
Daphne, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear, chimed in, "Hagrid, really? Aren't there better sources than the gamekeeper?" Her tone was light, but the underlying skepticism was evident, as many didn't know Hagrid's mastery over magical creatures.
Harry chuckled softly, "Perhaps, but Hagrid has a unique perspective and a genuine passion for magical creatures. That's something you can't find in books."
Tracey's interest seemed piqued, and she asked tentatively, "Do you think we could come along? It might be interesting, and, well, we could use a break from the castle."
Harry considered this for a moment then nodded. "Sure, it could be useful to have more people. And it's always good to learn about creatures directly from someone who cares for them."
Turning to the girls, Harry said, "When Hagrid sends an invitation, we will go." The girls nodded, then started to talk about the upcoming Flying Class next Tuesday. No one, besides the Quidditch Captain Marcus Flint and the Serpent of the Crown Selena, knew Harry had joined the team yet. Equally, they had no idea about Harry's skill on the broom. But since he grew up in the Muggle World, they assumed he wasn't skilled. Zabini and Nott too joined the conversation.
As the group discussed, Harry's mind wandered. He was confident in his flying skills but preferred to keep them a surprise for now. His thoughts were interrupted by Nigel's voice, "Are we planning a grand entrance, Master Harry? Swooping in like a knight on his steed? Impressing damsels?"
Harry answered in his mind, "Instead of armor, I'll be wearing clothes, and of course, my steed is made of wood. I still can't help but feel conscious while riding a broom. It reminds me of Dudley riding his wooden horse, and we both know how that looked."
Nigel groaned, "Oh, we sure do. I still haven't forgiven you for showing that memory to me, Master Harry."
Harry chuckled as he turned to the others, who were engaged in animated discussion about the upcoming Flying Class. "So, what's everyone's experience with flying?" he asked, curious to know more about his housemates' skills.
Zabini leaned back, a confident smile on his face. "I've been flying since I could walk. My mother made sure I was well-practiced."
Tracey chimed in with a grin, "I can hold my own, but I'm no seeker. More of a leisurely flyer, you know?"
Daphne added, "I'm decent enough. My family has a tradition of evening flights during the summer. It's quite serene."
Nott, who had been silent until now, shrugged. "I can fly, but I don't see the fuss. I prefer my feet on the ground."
Harry nodded, absorbing the information. It was good to know the capabilities of his peers, especially for future reference. He replied, "I've had a bit of practice myself. It's freeing, being up in the air."
Nigel's voice buzzed in Harry's ear, "Freeing for those who don't look like a young goblin clinging to a twig."
Harry stifled a laugh, earning a curious look from Tracey. He waved it off, "Just remembered something funny."
!!!! IMAGE IS CURSED! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
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