If you don't remember where I left off on this, do what I did and read back. :P (Yes, I had to read back to remember what last happened!)
After all of their classes, Albus and Andrea were led up to Professor McGonnagal's office by Professor Longbottom. Andrea looked downright ashamed, where as Albus just looked scared. They came to a stone gargoyle and Professor Longbottom stopped them. "Pumpkin cakes." He said simply, and the statue began to move. As it did, a staircase rose from beneath it. After the staircase was done moving, Professor Longbottom led them up to Professor McGonnagal's office. Professor Longbottom knocked on the door and sighed, looking down sympathetically at Albus and Andrea.
"Come in." Professor McGonnagal said from inside. Longbottom opened the door slowly and pushed Albus and Andrea inside. McGonnagal was sitting behind a large desk, and there were portraits all around the room. Albus and Andrea walked up to the desk and McGonnagal glanced up at them from a scroll she was reading.
"So, what did you two do to earn you a visit to my office?" She asked softly.
"We broke some rules..." Albus said quietly. He heard Andrea sniff beside him.
"What did you do?"
"We were out of the common room when we were supposed to be in it, and we were in a forbidden corridor..." Albus said slowly. McGonnagal sighed.
"Well, then you get to help Hagrid tonight." She said quickly.
"Doing what...?" Albus asked warily. He knew working with Hagrid could only be a punishment if they were doing something terrible.
"You'll see when you get there. You can go down to his cabin now and he'll tell you what to do." McGonnagal said shortly. The two kids nodded and Longbottom began leading them out. Albus glanced around the room as they walked out and noticed most of the portraits appeared to be asleep. There were two that were watching them carefully, though. One was an old man with white hair and a beard, the other had dark hair, a pointed nose, and no beard. Albus's eyes locked with the eyes of the black-haired portrait for a minute, then Albus looked away.
After they were back down the stairs, Longbottom looked down at Albus and Andrea and sighed. "Good luck, you two." He said in a whisper, then walked off.
"Come on." Andrea said glumly. She led Albus down the hall to the large door leading outside. Suddenly, Peeves swept down and floated in front of the two children.
"Congratulations on your first offense!" He said, reaching for Albus's hands. Albus stared at him, slightly confused.
"Go away, Peeves." Andrea said in almost a growl. Peeves stuck his tongue out at her then flew away. They continued on until they got to the door. It was open to the warm evening air. The sky was still light, but you could tell the sun was starting to set. Albus and Andrea slowly made their way down to Hagrid's hut. Hagrid was standing outside with an enormous black dog that Albus knew as Fang.*
"Well, good evening, you two." Hagrid said as they reached his cabin. "Din't expect to see you two 'ere for a punishment, though. 'Ave to admit that." He said with a small smile. Andrea sighed and Albus stuck his hands in his pockets.
"What are we supposed to help you with?" Albus asked warily.
"Findin' a Skrewt's all." Hagrid said quickly.
"Where?" Andrea asked slowly.
"In the Forest." Andrea gasped as Hagrid turned around and started walking towards the Forbidden Forest.
"Um, not to be rude, but last time someone went looking for a Skrewt in there they almost ended up dead." Andrea said.
"Been years since then, yer gunna be fine!" Hagrid said, walking more towards the Forbidden Forest. "Besides, ya got yer wands on ya, right?" He glanced over his shoulder and Albus and Andrea nodded. "Then yer gunna be fine! Now come on!" He said, leading Fang with him. Fang was an old dog, and slow, but it made Hagrid go slower, so Albus didn't mind it.
A few steps into the Forbidden Forest and it was almost completely black. "Stick to the paths, you two." Hagrid said, walking off.
"Where are you going?" Albus asked him.
"To look for the Skrewt! You two stay together!" Hagrid called. Andrea gaped after him as he just walked off, calm as could be.
"I'm scared." Albus whispered. Andrea nodded then sighed.
"Come on. Let's keep moving." Andrea pulled out her wand and said a spell quickly, and the end of her wand lit up. Every time they heard a movement, she shined the light in the direction. Usually it was nothing. Sometimes, though, they thought for sure it was something...
After a few minutes of walking, they came into a small clearing. "Do you know where we are?" Albus asked softly.
"No, but I know how to get back." Andrea said. She sniffed the air and grimaced. "Do you smell that?" She asked in a whisper.
"Yes. What is it?" Albus replied, just as quietly as Andrea had asked her question.
"I don't know, but I'm guessing we'll find out..." Andrea replied. Suddenly, Albus heard a snap behind them. He and Andrea spun around and looked frantically around. Albus saw something out of the corner of his eye and spun to look at it. There was nothing there.
"Andrea, did you see-" He was cut off, though, by a piercing scream. Albus spun around to look for Andrea and didn't see her anywhere.
"Andrea?" He called out. There was no reply. "ANDREA!" He yelled. Suddenly, he pulled out his wand and pointed it towards the sky. A red spark shot out of it and exploded into fireworks above the trees. Albus waited and watched until he heard footsteps pounding towards him. Albus was so scared, he was shaking. He turned and saw Hagrid bound up to him, Fang on his heels.
"Where's Andrea?" Hagrid asked, looking around wildly. Suddenly, Albus burst into tears.
"I turned away from her for a minute, and then she was gone! She screamed, and then she was gone!" Albus threw himself at Hagrid and Hagrid picked Albus up. Hagrid tried to calm him down, but it didn't do any good. "It's all my fault!" Albus wailed. His head was buried in Hagrid's enormous coat, so he didn't see where they were going. He just knew they were walking out of the Forest.
"Wait, we have to find her!" Albus sobbed out.
"No, we have to go tell the teachers. I knew this was a bad idea." Hagrid muttered the last part, and Albus tried to stop crying. He wondered what would happen now...
*Fang is funny as a dog's name. *giggles*
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