Harry Potter and the Order Of the Phoenix [108]
He put the liquid-like cloak on, and he slipped away from the visible realm. Harry ran back downstairs to the opened portrait, and climbed out.
“All set,” he whispered, causing Ron and Hermione to jump.
“We didn’t see you there,” said Hermione, not looking at Harry.
“I’m right here,” said Harry. They both turned to him. “Get under!”
All three of them had used the invisibility cloak at the same time before, but that was when they were younger. Now they were older, and bigger. It took a while for the three of them to organize themselves so that they all fit under it. As they were walking, it was extremely quiet, and dark. Harry felt he should say something.
“Hey, have you guys heard anything about a dance?” he asked. Ron and Hermione stared at him.
“Besides the one we used in our alibi, no,” said Ron. “Why?”
“Because Cho just asked me out to a dance, and we don’t know if it’s real or not yet,” said Harry. “I thinks he just overheard professor McGonagall talking about our alibi to Professor Dumbledore.
“That’s probably it,” said Hermione. “But, if there is one, at least you have a date.”
“Hey Hermione,” said Ron, sounding a little timid. “About being safe, you know how you told me last year, when I asked you out to the dance not to wait, and use you as a last resort?”
“Yes,” said Hermione quickly.
“Well… if there is a dance… would you… just as a friend that is! Would you like to… well… um…”
“Go to the dance with you?”
“Yes,” said Ron, sounding relieved.
“Of course I would,” giggled Hermione. Maybe it was the fact that Ron’s elbow was in her ear, or that Harry’s knee was right in her face, but Harry saw Hermione blush. Harry also saw Ron give a small smile, and an expression that Harry read as, “Yes!”
“We’re there,” said Harry. They had reached the entrance of the school. Harry took the cloak off of them, and they all gave a huge sigh of relief as they stretched.
“Let’s open this thing,” said Harry, pulling the door. It was much heavier than he expected it to be. “Ron, help me!”
Ron walked over, and started pulling on the same handle as Harry. They both pulled as hard as they could, but the door didn’t budge.
“How strong do you have to be to open this thing?” asked Harry. “Hermione, why don’t you come and help us.” Harry looked over, and saw that Hermione was laughing into her hands.
“What’s so funny?” asked Ron, putting his hands to his side.
“Do you think Hogwarts would be that easy to break into? Just open the door, and walk right in? No way!”
“Well then, how do you propose we get in?” asked Ron.
“Like this,” said Hermione. She walked up to the door, and took out her wand.
“Alohamora Anigora!” she said, tapping the door. It slowly swung open.
“How did you know that?” asked Harry.
“It’s in the prefect guide book, Harry,” said Hermione stiffly. “You should know it, you are a prefect after all.”
Harry gave Ron a sarcastic smile.
“Oh yeah, the prefect guide book, I… read it all the time.” Hermione shook her head, and walked out the door.
“Are we going to do this, or what?” asked Hermione.
“Oh, yeah,” said Ron and Harry, walking out the door. They ran as quickly and swiftly as they could across the grounds, all the way to Hagrid’s hut, which had no lights on, and no smoke coming out of the chimney. It didn’t look its usual inviting self. From there, they stepped into the Forbidden Forest.
“Geez,” said Ron. “For being a ‘Forbidden’ Forest, we certainly go in there an awful lot!”
“Which way to the giants?” whispered Hermione.
“This way,” pointed Harry, remembering the path the unicorn went that they followed. They entered the forest, and it was even darker than Harry remembered it. It felt as though the woods were watching them, and the silence was extremely eerie. There wasn’t any sound being made except for the crunch of leaves under their feet.
After walking a bit, Harry saw a glow.
“That must be the giant’s fire,” he said. They walked