Chapter 16 - Parcels and Punches

Harry thought no more of this and seeing as Hermione was to busy discussing elf rights with Maya, and Harry not wanting to join in, he began to unwrap the parcel.
Harry tore of the brown wrapping paper, scrunched it up into a tight ball and placed it on the table. The parcel was in a cardboard box and tapped up. Harry ripped of the tape off the side of the box facing him. Hermione was still putting her views forward to the others and they were all completely oblivious to the parcel Harry had just received. Harry opened the flaps on the side of the box and looked in. Inside the box was a smallish sized heart. It was lifeless. Harry yelled and pushed backwards from the table causing him to fall of the bench. Everyone in the hall looked round, many of them giggling. Harry did not move. He placed his elbows on his bent knees and rested his head in his hands. He felt sick. Harry heard the scraping of a bench and soon he heard Hermiones voice near by.
Harry? she asked, Are you ok?
Harry did not answer. The hall had gone silent now. Harry could still hear a couple of people sniggering, but most were sitting staring at Harry whispering to each other. Harry could hear more people walking down between the tables to him. Harry looked up but the parcel was still facing him. He looked back down at the floor. Harry could hear people walking down towards him between the tables. He felt someone bend down beside him. They placed their hand on Harrys shoulder.
Harry? said the voice
Harry recognised the voice to belong to Professor Dumbledore. Harrys hands were shaking.
Harry what is it? asked Professor Dumbledore
Its in the box, said Harry
Dumbledore looked at the table and picked up the box. He looked inside. Dumbledore clapped his hands to gather the attention of the students in the hall, although he already had their attention.
Would all students please return to their houses immediately. Lessons will be suspended until further notice. For those who have not eaten, food will be sent up to their common rooms, thank you, he said
There was a scrapping of chairs and lots of talking. When the hall had emptied apart from a few teachers, Ron and Hermione, Dumbledore turned to Harry. Harry who had been staring at the floor for most of the time looked up. Professor McGonagall was kneeling beside him but she was not the only teacher looking at him. Professor Dumbledore was looking down on him, along with Professor Snape (much to Harrys delight), Professor Ferdit and Hagrid.
Right Harry lets get you up and we will take you to Professor McGonagalls office as it is closer we can sort you out there, said Professor Dumbledore
Harry shook his head. Im fine just a bit shocked,
Ok well we will stay here then, said Professor Dumbledore Hagrid could you keep watch and make sure that we are not disturbed,
Right yeh are Professor Dumbledore sir, said Hagrid
Professor what exactly was in the box? asked Professor McGonagall
Harry looked up and stared at Dumbledore. Dumbledore looked grave; he picked up the box and put his hand inside. Harry gulped as he began to withdraw his hand from the box. Dumbledore pulled out the heart and held it out in his hand. Hermione squealed, Ron screwed up his face, Professor McGonagall put her hands over her face and Professor Ferdit and Snape stood rooted to the spot. Harry stared at the heart, there was a label attached to it. Dumbledore had spotted it too. He took it off the heart and read it out loud.
It reads The heart of the missing child, read Dumbledore
As soon as Dumbledore spoke these words the heart began to beat. Harry put his head in his hands. That little girl who had gone missing had been killed and her heart had been sent to Harry. Harry could hear movement around him. Harry felt ill. How could someone do such a horrible thing? Professor McGonagall placed her hand on his shoulder and rubbed it. Professor Ferdit stepped forward and helped him onto a bench.
Harry who sent this to you? asked Professor Ferdit
Mrs&Mrs Weasley, said Harry But I dont think she actually sent it,
Professor Dumbledore, said Professor McGonagall This has gone far enough, the boy has been attacked and has two parcels sent to him that have tormented him. Harry has gone though enough, why does he have to suffer any more?
I quite agree with you Minerva, said Dumbledore Harry from now on, one of us teachers will be checking your mail before it is passed on to you,
Harry nodded in agreement.
Now are you feeling well enough to attend lessons today Potter? asked Professor McGonagall.
Yeah, said Harry who was in shock but felt fine.
Well unless there is anything else to be getting on with I think that Mr Potter, Mr Weasley and Miss Granger should return to the Gryffindor common room, said Professor Dumbledore
Harry had completely forgotten about Ron and Hermione being present. He turned and looked at them. Ron was very white and was looking quite sick and Hermione was so white Harry thought she might faint. Professor McGonagall stood up and led the three of them out of the hall and back up to the common room.

After a week of rumours, the subject of the parcel had died down, and Harry was able to continue with school life without being constantly reminded about it. By the end of the second week, all had been forgotten
Harry, Ron and Hermione headed down to Hagrids cabin for the last lesson of the day, care of Magical creatures. The rain had become somewhat heavier during that day so their robes were soaked and sticking to their skin.
Right come on now. A little bit o rain never hurt anyone, said Hagrid
A little bit of rain! You have got to be joking! shouted Malfoy I am completely soaked,
You are not the only one who is soaked, Malfoy! said Ron loudly clenching his fist.
Ron was not in one of his better moods.
Right thats enough, said Hagrid Today yeh will be teachin the Skatzabins to behave while bein amongst other animals. In the pen behind my cabin there are different animals which the Skatzabins have not yet met. Now we are goin to see how they react to them today. Some of these animals do not like bein messed around with, as the Skatzabins are nosy animals I will warn yeh to be prepared to break up the animals if a fight breaks out. Right well the animals in the pen are not dangerous but they might bite yeh. So I will go an get the Skatzabins,
Harry walked off into the dark forest.
So what mad creatures do you think the big oaf is going to subject us to then! said Malfoy loudly
Pack it in Malfoy! said Harry
Ooh, what you going to do Potter? Curse me or maybe you could zap me with your scar! said Malfoy
The Slytherins roared with laughter. Ron stepped forward with his wand drawn. He walked forward his wand pointing at Malfoys face. Harry rushed forward and grabbed Rons arm.
Get off me Harry! Ron said angrily
Leave him, said Harry Hes not worth it,
Yeah Weaselbe do as your told, teased Malfoy
Ron edged forward.
Just ignore him, said Harry Hes a prat,
You can talk Potter, said Malfoy If you think I am a prat I think youd better take a long look in the mirror, and as for Weasley well if you could afford a mirror which I very much doubt, you would be so shocked at how poor and dreadful you look that you would have to start walking a round with a paper bag over your head,
The Slytherins roared with laughter.
I will get that son of a- started Ron
Ron that is not the answer, said Hermione He is just acting like a young child. Just ignore him, he wants you to retaliate,
Shut up you filthy ugly mudblood, said Malfoy
Oh you will pay for that! said Ron angrily
Come on then Weaselbe. What are you waiting for? Show me what you can do. Though I am surprised that your pathetic family can afford a wand, even if it is tatty, said Malfoy with an evil grin upon his face.
Harry could no longer hold Ron back. Ron broke free from Harrys grasp and charged at Malfoy, who was now looking startled. Rons fists were clenched and he no longer had his wand. It was a matter of seconds before Ron was rolling in the mud with Malfoy punching him repeatedly. Malfoy was being just as bad and was kicking Ron whenever he had the chance and hitting him in the face. Harry rushed forward, and was closely followed by Dean and Seamus. They tried to pull hi off of Malfoy. Crabbe and Goyle were trying to do the same but even with all of them trying it was no use. Ron refused to let go of Malfoy. Harry pulled at Rons arms trying to get him to release. But all it did was aggravate him more. Malfoy attempted to hit out at Malfoy but missed and smacked Harry right in the face. Harry staggered backwards clasping his nose. He could feel warm liquid feel warm liquid flowing out of his nose, down his lips and over his fingers. Someone screamed.
Harry! said a scared voice
Harry looked at his fingers and noticed that they were covered in blood. Someone clasped his arms. It was Maya and Hermione was standing next to her.
Harry are you ok? asked Maya
Harry your nose is bleeding, squeaked Hermione
Im fine, said Harry wincing as his nose began to throb.
Hermione handed him a hankerchief, which Harry used to stem the bleed. He looked over at Ron and Malfoy who where still rolling on the floor. Everyone else had stepped back, too scared to stop the fight in case they got hurt. Malfoy was on top of Ron now punching in the face and stomach.
Malfoy, Ron break it up now! said a rough voice
Harry looked round. Hagrid had emerged from the forest with the Skatzabings on leaches. Malfoy had obviously not heard Hagrid and continued to punch Ron in the stomach. Ron was coughing and spluttering and was obviously winded as he was gasping for breath. He was trying to push Malfoy off him but was unable too.
OI! YOU TWO GET OF EACH OTHER! shouted Hagrid
Hagrid shouting had an immediate effect on Malfoy as he loosened his grip allowing Dean and Seamus to have the chance to pull him off Ron. Malfoy shrugged them off viciously and sorted his robes out. He was very red in the face and had a bloody lip. Harry helped Ron up who stood gasping for breathing clasping his chest. Ron was the opposite of Malfoy, very white and had rosy red cheeks. He had bruises already forming around one of his eyes and he had a cut on his head. He shrugged Harry of picked up his school bag and stormed of up to the castle ignoring the shouts of his name being called by Hagrid. Seeing as Ron was ignoring Hagrid he turned to Malfoy.
Right you will go straight up to the castle and go straight to the hospital wing to sort yourself out. Then you will go to your common room and at the end of the day you will meet me in the main hall so we can go and talk to Professor Snape about this incident, said Hagrid angrily
But Weasley started it! said Malfoy angrily
What! said Harry Youre the one who provoked him,
No I did not, lied Malfoy
You did, and you did it in front of the whole class, said Harry
Enough, said Hagrid I am only punishing on what I saw and I saw you repeatedly hit Ron, now get out of my sight and I will see you later,
Malfoy picked up his bag and stomped of the castle fuming. Hagrid turned to the class.
Now shall we continue with the lesson? he asked
the class nodded.
Hagrid walked around the class separating them into groups and giving each of the groups a Skatzabing. Harry was put into a group with Hermione, Maya, Rae and Neville; the Skatzabing they received was called Ocean and was a very nosy animal. Hagrid led the class to the pen behind his cabin.
Right well there are twelve different animals that we are going to see how these young Skatzabings react bearing in mind that they have never come across these animals so its a test to see how they react, said Hagrid So there is an animal per group and per Skatzabing. You will spend five minutes on each animal and then move clockwise onto the next. Now if there are any problems just come and get me, I will be wondering around to prevent and stop and fights that could break out between the animals. There are a couple of animals, which could harm you and the Skatzabing, but it is nothing to worry about they is not deadly and will not harm you the most. The one you have to beware of the most is George but there are instructions for him. So when you are ready off you go,
The class hurried in cautiously. Neville walked in with the Skatzabings and the others followed. Being the last group into the pen they went to the only animal left which happened to be George. George was the size of a puppy and was covered with needle like spikes. He was red and brown coloured with strips of yellow across his face and bottom. He had a long pointy nose and beetle black eyes. He lay curled up in a cardboard box. There was a sign above him.

This is George the Heprok. George is a lovely creature but has a tendency to inject anyone who threatens him with deadly poison from his needle like spikes. Dont worry I have removed the poison but the spike will still cause some sleepiness. If one of the spikes does puncture your skin be sure to let me know right away. This animal can sense fear so try to not to be too fearful around him. Have fun!



Right Neville let Ocean check George out, said Harry
Um&Harry do you think you could do it cause I dont really want to, said Neville in a scared voice
Yep, said Harry Hand me the leach,
Neville passed Harry the leach. Ocean ran forward and stood next to Harry. She looked around and soon spotted George. She tugged at her leach and ran over to him. Unfortunately George did not like to be disturbed from his sleep or being sniffed by a Skatzabing. George arched his back and started to release some of the needle like spines, firing them at Ocean, Harry and the rest of the group.
Duck! shouted Harry dropping to the floor to escape the spines. Hermione, Maya, Rae and Neville did the same but Ocean, however, seamed to think that it was a game and started trying to jump on George. But her attempt to try and play the game ended quickly. Ocean was soon lying on the floor motionless. Soon the firing of Spines had ceased and Harry crawled over to Ocean his hands and knees squishing into the mud. Harry let out a gasp of pain as something sharp penetrated his hand. Harry stopped and looked at the palm of his hand.
Whats wrong? asked a voice behind him
Nothing, replied Harry but as he looked at his hand closer he realised that his hand had been penetrated by one of the spines. He continued to crawl over to Ocean not placing his penetrated hand on the ground. When he reached her he saw that she had been hit by four of the spines.
Hagrid! he called
Harry heard a pair of thunderous feet run towards him, but Hagrids feet were not the only pair running over to them.
What happened? asked Hagrid
Well George apparently does not like being woken or sniffed, said Harry Is she ok?
Oh yeah, said Hagrid she will just be knocked out for 24 hours or more. She is smaller than a human and she had four spines hit her so she will be affected more, said Hagrid Right the rest of you continue with what you were doing this isnt a movie,
Harry went to stand up placing his injured hand on the ground. He gasped as he lent on it and the spine went in deeper. He sat back down and looked at his hand. He could clearly see the spine now and noticed that there was a greenish tinge around it. Hagrid who had begun pulling the spines out of Ocean looked up.
You alright? he asked
My hand hurts, said Harry I think a spine might have penetrated it,
Hagrid grabbed Harrys hand and looked at it with a worried look upon his face.
I thought it was a splinter but it looks a lot like the ones you are pulling out of Ocean, said Harry
Hagrid stood Harry up and bent down and picked up Ocean
Right. You come with me, oh and the rest of you can come as well and I can get you one of the other Skatzabings, said Hagrid looking at the others
They followed Hagrid into his Cabin. Hagrid laid Ocean by the fire and pulled a blanket over her. Harry had started t feel drowsy, obviously the spine had started to take affect. Hagrid then walked over to his shelves and started ferreting about in one of the boxes. When he had found what he wanted he returned and led Harry over to his massive armchair. He sat Harry in it, and moved a nearby lamp so that it was shining directly over the place where the spine had penetrated. Hagrid knelt down placing a small bag on the floor. He drew out a pair of tweezers from the bag and started to pull the spine out of Harrys hand. Harry gasped and pulled his hand away.
Harry its going to hurt but I cant remove it unless you keep still, he said
Harry held out his hand and Hagrid returned to pulling it out. Harry bit his lip as Hagrid slowly removed the spine. Once he had removed it he took out a spray from the same bag and sprayed it where the spine had been. The greenish tinge now turned orange. Hagrid then placed a small bandage around the wound.
This will make sure the spray stays on the wound and does not get rubbed off, he said Right now how do you feel?
Drowsy, said Harry
I thought as much, said Hagrid Well you stay here. I am going to go and get this lot another Skatzabing and then I will check on the class and then come back and check on you,
He stood up and walked out of his cabin the others saying goodbye to Harry and following. Fang, Hagrids dog, trotted over and sat by Harrys side resting his head on Harrys knees. Harry patted his head and stared at the fire. He felt his eyelids droop and the room began to fall dark. He closed his eyes and curled up on the chair. His thoughts swayed into dream and he fell fast to sleep.

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