Petrichor | ?

- Draco -

During my free time, I spent the next few days almost exclusively on the Quidditch field. As the new captain, I registered my team for training as often as possible. Unlike the other times I had played Gryffindor, I didn't just want to win against Potter. I wouldn't go so far as to say that I had changed completely, but maybe a little. The fact that he had saved my life in the Room of Requirement during the fire was probably also a decisive factor. However, I was very ambitious and winning was important to me, regardless of the opponent.

On Saturday morning, I opened my eyes. I woke up with the same feeling I had fallen asleep with. Excitement. Anticipation. Not thinking about anything else. Because today was the big game. After lunch, we would go to the Quidditch field and win this game.

At breakfast, I automatically scanned the Gryffindors competing today to see how they were doing and how they would play later. I spotted Potter and Weasley with Granger, Longbottom and a few other students. They both looked the same, a bit tired perhaps. I went to see the individual members of the Slytherin team and made sure that the students I annoyed knew the procedure and were motivated for the game later.

I almost jumped out of my skin when, shortly before lunch, Professor McGonagall's voice suddenly sounded through all the rooms and corridors of the castle, amplified by a spell. I turned around unobtrusively to see if anyone had seen me flinch. But all the students I could see seemed to be listening intently.

"All students, please come to the Great Hall immediately. From this point on, no one is allowed to leave the school building. I must point out that very dangerous creatures have been sighted outside the building. Further information will be provided in a few minutes." I stared into space in disbelief. The students who were standing near me were eagerly discussing the announcement.

What about the game? And what were these dangerous creatures? I almost cursed out loud. This school really couldn't get anything right. But I had no choice but to follow the instructions and go to the great hall.

On the way there, I spotted some teachers locking every entrance to the school. Frowning and also a little curious, I quickened my pace and entered the huge room, which was already filled with a few students.

When I spotted Pansy and Blaise in the crowd, I joined them. "Draco," Pansy greeted me. "Any idea what's going on?"

"No," I replied. How should I know? I had only heard the announcement, too.

"It's really annoying about the game," Blaise grumbled, voicing my thoughts. And he didn't seem to be the only one talking about it. If I listened carefully, I caught a few snippets of conversation that also dealt with the game.

After a few minutes, the hall was completely filled and Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall and the strikingly small Professor Flitwick entered the raised platform.

McGonagall cleared his throat. "As you have already heard and seen, the entrances and exits of the castle are blocked. Some teachers and students have seen creatures unusual for this area roaming in the forbidden forest and even on the school grounds, but their origin is still unclear to us. These creatures are very dangerous and aggressive, which is why it is strictly forbidden for any student to leave the school building."

Suddenly, murmuring and whispering could be heard in the hall. "What?" Pansy, who was standing next to me, exclaimed in shock. I felt a very bad mood coming over me.

"What about the game?" shouted one of the students standing a little further forward.

"It will have to be postponed to a date yet to be determined," replied the grim-looking Professor Snape.

Disappointed murmurs and angry voices could now be heard from the ranks of the students. I spotted members of Potter's and my team pushing forward and starting a conversation with the teachers. I thought that was useless. Annoying, but then we'd just have to postpone the game.

"Can we go then?" I asked rhetorically. Because I would leave anyway, I didn't feel like dealing with the students and their reactions right now.

At that moment, there was a vibration in the side of my cloak. Pansy was answering me unnecessarily, but I didn't listen and reached for my wand. It was true. It didn't vibrate very much, but somehow it was very warm, almost hot.

I let my eyes wander around the hall and tried to spot Granger somewhere. Right away, I spotted the familiar head of hair, which was just squeezing its way forward through the crowd of students. Without informing my friends, I followed her until I arrived at the front. Only Professor Snape and Professor Flitwick were still there. McGonagall had already disappeared.

"Professor, it has to be something. My wand is sending clear signals. I used a connection spell," Granger explained to Professor Snape in a desperate tone.

"Miss Granger, I already told you that this barn has already been given a protective spell. No animal can enter it. Your creature just seems to be afraid and that won't kill it," he replied in his typically dark and ill-tempered tone.

"But Professor, I can feel—," Granger started to say, but Snape angrily interrupted her.

"Miss Granger. Then you have probably used the spell wrongly. Now please leave, we really have more important things to discuss." With that he turned his back on her. The conversation was obviously over.

Granger turned to Flitwick, but he was no longer visible because of the students surrounding him. Well, he probably wouldn't have been without the students either.

I could see from here that Granger's facial features were not only worried, her anger was also reflected on her red cheeks. She stormed past me without noticing me.

I would have liked to have hit my forehead in annoyance when I saw her determined expression. I knew what it meant and squeezed through the crowd of students.

"Hermione. You can't go out there now!" I heard Weasley hiss at last.

"Ron, let go of me!" Granger's angry voice replied.

I had followed her and now turned the corner where their voices had come from.

"You've got to be kidding me," Weasley shouted almost loudly. Granger immediately motioned for him to be quiet.

I couldn't help but sigh. Of course she was serious.

The two turned around and spotted me. The red-haired Gryffindor gave me the familiar grim look. "What is it, Malfoy?" he snapped.

Suddenly, I didn't know. Didn't know why I had followed her at all. To stop this stupid, suicidal girl?

"Worry about my project grade," I quickly replied in a serious tone. They even seemed to believe me. Why, was I really such an asshole? the thought crossed my mind indignantly.

"At least inform a teacher," Weasley interjected and simply ignored me.

"I already have," Granger growled.

"Another one!" Weasley cried desperately.

She snorted. "As if we have time for that now, Ronald!"

"Hermione, Snape said that he might just be scared. Besides, this is madness. Those creatures out there are dangerous," Weasley argued, still holding Granger's wrist tightly. For some reason, this bothered me extremely.

But then Granger pulled herself free with great force and pushed him away. "Ron, what's wrong with you? You can feel it with your own wand that something is wrong! And even if it is dangerous out there, I don't care! We can defend ourselves! Petrichor and the others in the barn are still babies! They have nothing to protect themselves with!"

She clenched her wand in one hand and clenched her other fist. I touched my wand too. It was really hot now and made my hand tremble.

I feverishly considered how we should decide. But Granger took the decision out of my hands.

She ran past us. Weasley and I looked at each other for a brief second.

Then we ran after her.