𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝

𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐑  𝟏𝟑

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『••✎••』

Saturday morning's sun rose covered by gloomy clouds. The sky appeared a cool grey hue that matched most of the groups mood at lunch however two had a very determined outlook to the weekend.

This weekend was Inaya's turn to spend in the library working on a group Transfiguration assignment meaning all that came from her was, "My weekend is being wasted!" accompanied by burying her head in her hands.

Kiana and Isabella were spending their Saturday on their annual competition, consisting of paints, canvases and an empty classroom. The aim? To paint a picture of their chosen person in a setting chosen by the Weasley twins. Winner get bragging rights, loser had to be their test subject for a month and unfortunately, April was when business starting booming. Isabella had won last so this year Kiana was determined to claim the glory.

This left Harry, Hermione, Ron and Estrella biting their nails with worry. Why? This morning was Buckbeaks trial and with Lucius Malfoy bringing a solid attack, they weren't expecting happy results.

"We better get going," Hermione sighed. "Hagrid should be back by now."

"Yeah you're right." Harry pushed his barely eaten bowl of cereal away from him. Tapping a zoned out Estrella on the shoulder, he beckoned her to follow them. "Good luck today guys." Harry smiled at the three girls. Inaya lifted her head, glowering at him while Kiana and Isabella smiled back mischeviously.

"Yeah good luck!" Estrella smiled absently, "Lets talk about it all later."

Hermione led the quartet outside, her head held high as they made their way to the courtyard. Ron was hot on her heels, seemingly offended by her failure to address whatever he had on his mind. 

"Beautiful day," Hermione commented, breathing in theatrically.

"Gorgeous," Ron sneered, "Unless of course you've been ripped to pieces!" 

Hermione rolled her eyes at his outburst as Harry and Estrella stared at the two of them in shock. "Ripped to pieces?" Harry caught up to them, "What are you talking about?"

Hermione sighed a big sigh, "Ronald has lost his rat." She ticked her head to the side in irritation.

"I haven't lost anything!" Ron protested, "Your cat killed him!"

"Rubbish!" Hermione bit back storming ahead making Ron gesture rudely behind her. 

"Harry! You've seen the way that bloodthirsty beast of hers is always lurking about, and-and now Scabbers is gone!" Ron's octave climbed until he peaked in agony, once again crying out for his beloved rat.

"Well maybe you should take better care of your pets!" Hermione shouted back before stopping herself to take a deep breath. Crookshanks slinked past the quartet as they walked out towards the school grounds, Estrella pausing to bend down and say hello before Harry's voice filtered in her mind, Hurry up Butterfly, I'm getting itchy He complained. Estrella shot after them, scratching her palms to will away the burning sensation she too felt. 

 She encountered Harry waiting by the archway of the castle for her as Hermione and Ron continued  to bicker down the hill towards Hagrids' Hut. As she neared, Harry held out a hand, Estrella's touch being what he needed to get rid of the burning sensation. 

"If you had to pick between a cat and a rat, what would you have?" Estrella asked Harry as they carefully walked down the steep hill.

"A cat probably, you?" 

"Same," Estrella sighed. "I've always wanted a cat but my fathers allergic so I could never have one." 

"Then we'll just have to have one," Harry quipped absentmindedly. 

"When?" 

"You know, later on when we get older and maybe move in together and whatnot." Harry shurgged timidly.

Estrella snorted at the idea, "Something tells me one of us is not making it that far."

"Don't say that." Harry cut her off, irritation bubbling up inside him that made Estrella feel instantly guilty. "We're going to be okay, everything's going to be okay."

"I'm sorry, it's not a funny joke." She stopped their pace, turning him around to face her. Harry's brows were set in a frown, his eyes stormy and his lips drawn into a thin line. Estrella raised her hands to his face, smoothing it out until it relaxed. "It will work out in the end and who says we have to wait until then to get a cat! Or a crup!" Estrella gasped, starting a ramble.  "I would love a Crup, but it depends where we live since they hate Muggles--", Harry tugged the witches hand as he caught sight of Hermione waving them to hurry up as Ron nattered her ear off.

"I don't think Hagrid's in," Hermione sighed, gesturing to his hut. "I've knocked and Ron's peeked through the window and it's just Fang."

"Where's Isabella when you need her." Ron sighed, rolling his eyes. 

"She'll probably punch you for that later, you know she's always spying." Estrella quipped. "She can hear as far as she can see." Poking Ron in the side as she walked past him. Bending down she lifted a flowerpot slightly to get Hagrid's spare key out and unlock the front door. 

Swinging it open, Fang barked, launching himself onto Estrella who cooed at the bloodhound as he slobbered over her left cheek. Hermione walked in after, cringing at the sight before looking around for clues to where Hagrid could be. 

Standing up, Estrella grabbed the dog leash hanging from the key hook next to the door and clicked it onto Fang's collar before looking out of the window. There, she could make out Hagrid stood in the water, one hand full of pebbles he was skidding into the clearing. "Mione," Estrella called to her attention. "Found him." She pointed in his direction. 

"Guys Hagrid is at the clearing," Hermione shouted to Harry and Ron who were having a pumpkin lifting contest. So far Ron was winning as Harry tapped out, opting to lie down on the pumpkin patch instead.

Harry you're all muddy Estrella frowned. The be-speckled boy sat up looking over his shoulder to see the dry mud clinging to is crewneck. Estrella helped him up, handing him Fang's leash and turned him around, whispering the incantation Tergeo to magically clean the mud from his back. 

"Good as new," She smiled as Harry turned back around to face her.

"Thanks," He smiled, leaning in to kiss her cheek, the both of them madly blushing. 

"Ugh move over Potter," Ron rolled his eyes, "Do me too?" He held his hands out for Estrella to clean. 

"Only because you're mourning." She joked, avoding both Hermione and Ron's glare as she muttered the incantation once more.

"Can we go now?" Hermione complained, tapping her wrist. "I'd like to make it back before sunset, someone will be angry Harry's out again."

"You're right Hermione," Harry sighed in a way that made Hermione suspicious. Raising an eyebrow as Harry stepped towards her before interlocking their arms and speed-walking forward.

"Harry!" She laughed as she rushed to keep up with him. 

"Fang!" Estrella shouted as the canine bolted forward after him, only giving her a split-second to grab Ron's hand before the five of them were running down to the clearing. 

"Hagrid!" They shouted in unison, Fang adding in a bark. 

"Should've known you lots would find me 'ere." He sighed, barely looking over his shoulder.

"How did it go?" Hermione panted. "The hearing."

Hagrid was silent for a moment, "Well, first off, the committee members took turns talking about why we were there," Hagrid mocked, tutting as the half-giant played with the large pebble in his hand before skidding it across the water. "Then I got up, did my piece,"

Estrella walked off to the side, sitting up on a large boulder and making room for Ron and Harry who sandwiched in next to her. Fang ran into the water, chasing the pebble and splashing around making the quartet and Hagrid smile. 

"I told them how Buckbeak was a good hippogriff, always cleaned his feathers. And then," Hagrid let out a great sigh. "Lucius Malfoy got up and you can imagine," He tutted once more. "He said Buckbeak was a great and dangerous creature that would kill yer and soon as look at yer." 

"And then?" Hermione pressed.

"And then he asked fer the worst, did old Lucius..." Hagrid moped, his voice trailing off as he stared at the rippling water.

"They're not sacking you!" Ron sat forward in shock as the nightmare dawned on him. He realxed as he noted Hagrid shaking his head.

"No, I'm not sacked." Hagrid threw a pebble once more, however this one didn't skid like the others, it propelled in the air and met the water with a large splash. The sound echoed into the clearing until there was silence. A foreboding silence. A sick silence that was soon broken by Hagrid's cey, "Buckbeak's been sentenced ter death!"

Estrella shrieked at the news, covering her mouth in shock. "Hagrid they can't! They just can't!" This time the news was too heavy, the pebble falling from Hagrid's limp hands as he sobbed. "I'll try and get my father to write on your behalf! Or I'll write to one of my uncles to defend you!"

"It's no use," He cried, "They won't budge. Not even when Dumbledore tried to reason. And you know Dumbledore is the best at these things."

Arguably Estrella countered.

Be nice Harry chided her as they sat in silence, letting the weight of the news hang heavy on their minds.

『••✎••』

It had just gone midnight in Harry dormitory, he noted the time telling himself he had to sleep soon or he'd regret it tomorrow.  He had a small ball of light at the end of his wand, illuminating the Marauder's map that lay across his lap. He munched on a small bar of Zonko's chocolate as he followed the footsteps of any and everyone around the castle, still gobsmacked this was their actual movements in real time. I've got to know who these Marauders guys are Harry sighed, smiling as he watched Mrs Norris catch two students who had clearly been searching for some privacy on the Third Floor corridor.

"Spiders!" Ron shouted as he jolted awake, not only startling Harry but making Estrella, who lay next to Harry, jolt awake too. "There's--There's spiders, no, and they want me to tap-dance." Ron kicked at his covers, as if he was still dreaming the spiders were trying to get him.

"Ron," Estrella groaned as she rolled over on to her back, "Not again!" 

"I don't want to tap dance," Ron mumbled, staring at Harry for help. Harry stared at his best friend with a smirk. 

"You tell those spiders Ron," Harry boosted his confidence, biting back a laugh. 

Ron nodded, "Right yeah, I'll tell them." He snoozed off, the second his head hit the pillow, with a loud snore. 

"Great! Now I'm not going to be able to fall asleep, again." Estrella grumbled. "Why does he do this every night?"

"It'll only be for another couple of weeks, it's his nightmare season." Harry shrugged, finding it incredibly sad he knew his best friend so well.  He returned his focus to the Marauders map, lifiting a fold to see Filch heading in the direction of Mrs Norris and the the students she was holding hostage.

"Harry can you put that light out, please?" Estrella went to snatch Harry's wand but his reflexes were too quick. The last time she managed to get ahold of his wand, Estrella had thrown it into Seamus' clutches and Harry didn't manage to get it back until breakfast.

"Too slow," He teased, sticking his tongue out in her direction. Estrella rolled her eyes, re-directing her hand to push his cheek to the left. Sitting up, the witch readjusted her positon so her legs were thrown across Harry's lap, the Marauders map on top of hers. Harry adjusted himself to lay back against his headboard, putting an arm around Estrella's waist to ease the tension off of her back. 

"Anything exciting?" She hummed, taking the small piece of chocolate from Harry's fingers and swallowing it. Harry protested before sighing and pointing to tonight's scandal.  "Isn't that the same Jacob Moore that was kicked off of the Slytherin team?" Estrella gasped looking back at Harry with wide eyes. "He really is insatiable."

"Ella!" Harry whined, "That the worst way to put it." Harry reached forward, unfolding another square of the map to hide the Third Floor scandal, and then another to show the Corridor of Secerets, leading to the Slytherin common room. Harry turned to break off another bar of chocolate while Estrella peered closer, gasping as she noticed something very off.

"What? What is it?" Harry quickly looked back, shoving the chocolate into his mouth with the palm of his hand. 

"Look, it says it's Peter Pettigrew," Estrella followed the tiny footsteps as they wandered down the Corridor. "The 'little lump of a boy', Peter Pettigrew, remember."

"The dead one who Sirius Black destroyed, yeah I remember." Harry went still, his jaw slack and not chewing. "Come on, let's go."

"Harry what do you mean? It's the dead of night." Estrella gestured to the window.

"Exactly it's perfect, no need for the Invisibility cloak." Harry threw Estrella's legs and the covers off of his lap, letting her fall back onto the bed.

"No I mean we could get caught," Estrella sat up, looking at him incredulously. "And you know how bad trouble we'll be in with Black and the Dementors around."

"Black isn't in the castle and neither are the Dementors! I want to see if this dead guy is alive, are you joining me or not?" Harry shoved his feet into his slippers, grabbing his wand and the map.

Estrella groaned, throwing her head back before sighing defeatedly. "Fine, but I need your jumper, my pyjama's are very thin for the winter air."  She gestured to her pink nightgown. Harry pulled his hoodie over his head and handed it to his soulmate, grabbing her hand and urging her to put it on as they walked. 

Harry followed Estrella to the dungeons, his wand lighting up their path as he kept his eyes on the map, letting their bond do the sensing for him. Is he still around here? Estrella asked Harry as she took his wand, tired of him letting his arm fall and putting out the light. 

Yes, he should be walking in circles Harry hummed, extremely confused by this Pettigrew character. He's moving around like a fly buzzes around a room, it's so random.

I still think we should turn around and head back to bed Estrella sighed, holding her light up far to her left and shining it at a portrait. 

"Put that light out!" One portrait snapped at her.

"Sorry!" Estrella apologised hastily, pointing the wand back to her front. 

Ella! The map says he's headed straight for us! Harry spoke alarmed. 

Estrella furrowed her eyebrows, quickly walking forward and illuminating the space in front of her, waving Harry's wand left and right. Harry I don't see anyone?

Estrella he should be right in front of us! Harry snatched the wand from her grasp, standing in front of her and pointing the wand out defensively. Right there -wait, now he's going around? 

Shouldn't we be hearing footsteps? Estrella asked Harry but she couldn't hear a thing over his quickened breaths. Harry? OH MY GOD! Estrella screeched feeling something crawl over her foot, What was that!

Ella what the hell? He's gone? Harry stared left and right in disbelief, holding his wand to a couple portraits that grumbled and protested the bright light. 

Harry! Snape! Estrella pointed to the map and she caught eyes on the Professor's footsteps. 

"Mischief managed, Nox," He whispered, tapping the map and quickly folding the it in half and handing it to Estrella to stuff into the front pocket of the hoodie. 

The corridor was pitch black for a couple of moments before a hand grabbed Harry's shoulder making him yelp and turn around. "Potter," Snape sneered, holding his want to Harry's face. "And your soulmate. Why aren't I surprised? What are you two doing wandering the corridors at night?" He drawled.

"I was sleep-walking Professor," Estrella stepped forward. "Harry noticed I was near and woke up me to help me back to bed."

"Potter swooping in for the rescue once again. How extraordinarily like your father you are Potter." Snape spat at the two of them, making Estrella stumble back and Harry stand protectively in front of her. 

That was unneccesary Estrella quipped.

Not the time El Harry sighed.

"He too was exceedingly arrogant, strutting about the castle." Snape tutted.

"My dad didn't strut and nor. do. I." Harry bit back, a prickly feeling crawling up his spine as Snape once again spewed his jealousy for James Potter. "Now if you don't mind, we'd appreciate it if you could lower your wand." 

Snape obliged, lowering his want to show the bulge in Estrella's (Harry's) hoodie. "Turn out your pockets." He snapped. Estrella didn't move. "Turn out your pockets." Snape pressed forcing her to obey.

With one hand Estrella pulled out the Marauders map, showing Snape. "What's this?" He asked, stepping forward to inspect.

"Spare bit of parchment," She shrugged, playing it off.

"Really?" Snape rolled his eyes. "Open it."

Estrella unfolded the map, baring it to the Professor who, with a slimey but swift motion, pointed his wand to the middle. "Reveal your secrets," Snape hissed.

No wonder he's the head of Ssssslytherin She smirked making Harry snort. 

"Find something funny Potter?" Snape flickered his gaze towards the boy as ink started to seep through to the surface of the map. Estrella read the words on the page, gaping before slapping a hand over her mouth.

"What does it say?" Snape asked her. Estrella shook her head no. "Read it." He forced.

Estrella shakily sighed, doing her best to keep her lips in a straight line. "Messers, Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs...offer the compliments to Professor Snape and...." She trailed off.

"Go on," Snape urged her. 

She looked up, staring at his straight in the eyes as she recited, "And request he keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business."

Harry laughed in shock while Snape snatched the map from Estrella's grasp, "Why you insolent little-"

"Professor?"

Snape whipped around to see Lupin emerge from the darkness. "Well, well Lupin," Snape looked him up and down. "Out for a little stroll in the moonlight are we?"

Professor Lupin ignored him, focusing on the kids. "Harry, Estrella, are you two alright?" They nodded.

  "That remains to be seen," Snape rolled his eyes, holding up the Marauders map and pointing it to Lupin. "I have just confiscated this rather curious artifact from Miss Consuelas, take a look Lupin. Supposed it is your area of expertise." 

It seemed every word Severus Snape uttered he longed out as though it was trying to escape him. All this hissing and drawling was too much for Estrella's half-asleep mind. She felt herself struggle to keep her eyes open, leaning her head on Harry's shoulder for support. 

Don't snooze off He warned but she ignored him. It's his fault for making her crawl out of bed at this time of night. 

"Clearly it is full of dark magic," Snape said matter-of-factly.

"I seriously doubt so Severus," Lupin sighed, reading the words on the parchment with a smirk. The kind of smirk that showed he was proud. Of what Harry couldn't pinpoint.  "It looks as thought to me it's merely a parchment designed to insult anyone who tries to read it-" He broke out in giggles. "I suspect it's a Zonko product."

He's very handsome when he smiles Estrella admired Professor Lupin. 

I guess so, makes his face look less animalistic? Harry hummed in agreement.

Snape reached for the map but Lupin was quick to pull it from his clutches. "Nevertheless, I shall investigate any hidden qualities it may possess. It is, after all, you say, my area of expertise." Lupin raised an eyebrow, looking down on Snape in a way that had to hurt knowing his dream was to be a DADA professor.

"You two, would you come with me please? And Professor? Good night." Lupin gestured for the two to follow him, Harry placing himself behind a sleepy Estrella and pushing her forward to walk. 

Lupin took the pair to their DADA classroom, opening the door for them to walk inside. He was emanating frustration, this kind that a scolding would follow. This seemed to wake Estrella up, as she leant onto a desk.

"Now I haven't the faintest idea how this map came to be in your possession," Lupin started, walking to his desk and slapping the Map onto the hard surface. "But quite frankly I am astounded that you two didn't think to hand it in."

How does he know it's a Map? Estrella furrowed her eyebrows. 

That's very true, how does he know it's a Map?  Harry agreed. 

Best not to ask him now Harry, he'll bite our heads off, Harry nodded in agreement.

"Did it never occur to you that this, in the hands of Sirius Black, is a map to you two?" Lupin raised his hands to his hips. 

"No," Harry shook his head. 

"No sir," Estrella shook her head, although she questioned again, how Sirius Black would be able to unlock it to even get to them. 

Lupin walked close to Harry, bending down to speak to him with as much privacy as he could get. "Now you father never set much care for the rules either but he and your mother gave their lives to save yours." Lupin reprimanded him. "And gambling their sacrifice by wandering the castle, unprotected, with a killer on the loose seems to me a pretty poor way to repay them!" His voice echoed the room as he looked between the two with disappointment. 

"Now I will not cover for the two of you again, do you hear me?" Lupin looked between the two of them once more.

"Yes sir," they chorused. 

"Now I want you to return to your dormitories and stay there." Harry nodded, reaching for Estrella's hand and walking the two out. "And don't take any detours! If you do," Lupin tapped the map. "I shall know."

As they walked out, Estrella stopped them turning around and calling to Professor Lupin. 

"Professor, just so you know, that map doesn't always work." She gestured to it, confused by the offended expression on Lupin's face. "Earlier on, it showed someone in the castle? Someone we know to be dead." 

"Oh really? And who might that be?" He pressed, wanting to be humoured.

"Peter Pettigrew," Harry cut in. 

Lupin's already pale face, washed out even further as his expression became still with shock, "That's...not possible." He held the map to his chest as he choked out the words. 

Harry shrugged, "It's just what we saw." He turned to look at Lupin one last time before he ushered a sleepy Estrella out of the room, bidding him goodnight.  

"He looked oddly shocked." Estrella mumbled as they climbed the staircase to the common room.

"I know," Harry agreed as he recited the password and gained them entry to the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Do you think he knows Pettigrew, personally? We know Lupin was close with Mr and Mrs Potter if he was there for your first Christmas and Pettigrew was your dad's shadow at school."

"Yes definitely, the same way he knows of Sirius Black."

"Do you think they we're all friends? Maybe that's why the betrayal is so great?"

Harry shrugged as they entered the bedroom, kicking off their slippers and climbing into bed. Lying face to face, Harry continued. "I'm not sure, if Black was a Slytherin and Dad was a Gryffindor then it would be-"

"A you and Draco situation? That makes more sense. I just want to know why Black didn't just kill you the night Voldermort died? Why did he have to go after Pettigrew when you were still in that house alone?"

Harry shurgged, "We'll have to ask him when we see him. Have you spoke to your Grandfather recently?" 

Estrella perked up, surprised Harry was bringing this up. She nodded her head, "Alejandro said that he's managed to locate him but he isn't at home at the moment, that was 3 days ago. I wrote him a letter however, with the address Alejandro gave me. I didn't want to come across too forward so I just introduced myself and asked him how he is and if he misses mum...you know all that stuff."

"I wonder what he'll reply." Harry hummed, turning to lie on his back.

"We should really snooze, it's nearly 2am. We have to be up by 9."

"Do you want to cuddle?" Harry asked hopefully, turning his head to meet her eyes.

Estrella bit her lip and she blushed, "Don't make it weird but yes, duh." She scooted closer, placing her head on his chest and matching her breathing to his.

"We should ask Dumbledore for our own room." Harry yawned. 

"I don't think so, my father would murder you and then me." Estrella giggled. "But....I was thinking, what if we spent this summer together? My parents have bought a house in Mayfair and maybe you could spend the summer with me instead of your aunt and uncle?"

Harry felt a thrill of excitement, "Yes El, yes! I would love to!" Harry squeezed her in a hug, rolling them over until he was lying on top of her. "That sounds perfect."

"I'm glad," Estrella beamed back at him. "I love you, Harry."

"I love you a million, Estrella." He leaned down, placing a kiss on her lips and pulling away. Estrella quickly placed her hands on the back of his neck, pulling him down for another, longer, one before letting him go.

"I could get used to that." Harry smirked.

"You're such a boy, eugh." Estrella laughed out loud before slapping a hand over her mouth. 

"Are you two done? We're trying to sleep!" Dean's sleepy voice groaned out.

Harry and Estrella shared a wide-eyed look bursting out into quiet laughter, "Sorry!" They chorused, settling into each other and letting the darkness take over them. 

[ this wasn't proofread, as per usual ] 

hi hi, long time no see i know, my creativity dipped! but i recently rewatched POA and i just had to come back and finish this chapter. we've only got like 2-3 chapters left guys, im so in pain, my second baby!! nearly all done!!

i hope you enjoyed and please leave a vote <3

i loved this chapter and i am genuinely so excited for the next one but no promises it will be out soon, uni is going to be alot. 

 i've also got another book, espresso, out!! it's a love island fic so if you're into/looking for something easy and fun to read please check it out!! i've been updating that one more frequently (i apologise) since it's so fun!! but fear not, honour will not be left behind.

bye bye now <33

all the love, t x