According to school rules, all students were supposed to at least be in their common rooms by nine, but that did not seemingly extend to events such as detention. After all, he had been sent into the Forbidden Forest well past midnight during a previous detention, and it had been when he was a first year.
"Ah, Mr. Potter." said Professor McGonagall when Harry entered her classroom. She stood up from her desk, gently pushed the stack of assignments she had been grading tot eh side, and made her way over to the door.
"Your detention will be taking place somewhere else." she informed him, before walking out of her classroom at a quick pace. Harry jogged slightly to catch up with her, wondering where it was they were going.
"The headmaster and I have been very concerned with your recent disappearances." said Professor McGonagall, "It has been brought to our attention that you have not been seen in the Gryffindor common room for weeks."
"Let me guess, Hermione told you?" said Harry sarcastically as the two of them made their way down one of the many staircases.
Professor McGonagall flashed him a disapproving look, though she said nothing. She was clearly waiting for him to answer her question.
"The Gryffindor students didn't want to be around me, so I gave them what they wanted."
"And where is it that you have spent all your time for the last week and a half?"
Harry shrugged casually.
"When you have as many adventures as I do, you're bound to learn a few secrets of the castle."
"I suppose the map helped a great deal as well?"
Harry paused, his eyes narrowing.
"Hermione told you." he said. It wasn't a question, but rather a simple statement. It was confirmed when Professor McGonagall nodded her head slightly.
"I can not do anything about the map, as it is rightfully yours. I have also decided not to delve further into your choice to leave Gryffindor Tower, as you are clearly fine and are a Triwizard Champion. Since you are not seemingly abusing your newfound freedom, I have no say in your personal life."
She paused at the end of the staircase, turning around to Harry.
"I will, however, express my disapproval of your choice to skip out on your classes." said McGonagall, "These past few months you have improved incredibly in all aspects, far more than I have ever seen someone do in a year. It is not wise to miss out on your education at such a time in your life."
"You yourself told me that as a Triwizard Champion, I have the right not to go to my classes." said Harry, "I'm not missing them, it's more like self study. I'm practicing hard to make sure I don't get hurt."
Professor McGonagall frowned, but once again said nothing. She led Harry further down the stairs, until they eventually reached the main landing.
"Professor, where exactly are we going?" asked Harry curiously.
"I asked the staff if they had anything that they required help with." said McGonagall, leading him to the main entrance, "Professor Hagrid informed me that he would appreciate help in preparing for his next class."
Harry smiled happily to himself. He would be serving detention with Hagrid, which was more than fine with him. He had previously been dreading having to spend hours in the dungeons with Filch, cleaning each and every cobblestone tile that made up the flooring.
"Do not be so easily excited, Mr. Potter." said Professor McGonagall, "Professor Snape has personally requested your assistance for the next time you land yourself in detention."
Of course he has.
"Why hasn't Malfoy been given any detentions?" asked Harry, "I used a bit of accidental magic, right after he insulted . . . well, you know."
"His punishment was the loss of fifty points from Slytherin house." Professor McGonagall informed Harry.
Harry scoffed.
"As if anyone gives a damn about house points. He's probably laughing his arse off."
"That will be five points from Gryffindor, Mr. Potter."
Harry rolled his eyes.
The pair made their way through the grounds and over to Hagrid's hut. They passed by the Beauxbatons Carriage, where the light was still on. Harry could hear people talking inside, though he could not hear their conversation.
Professor McGonagall made her way over to Hagrid's door, knocking on it thrice. They heard a slight creaking noise from the inside of the hut before the door opened, revealing Hagrid.
"Alright then Harry, come on inside! We got lots of work to do, c'mon!"
Hagrid waved goodbye to Professor McGonagall, telling her that Harry would be back in the castle within two hours. Once the two professors had finished their quick discussion, Hagrid gently pushed Harry into the hut, quickly fastening the door behind him.
"You got your cloak by any chance?" asked Hagrid.
"Er - no, I don't. Why?"
"Got summat ter show yeh. Doesn't matter, it's dark anyway. Just follow me, and stay outta sight."
Hagrid turned around, covering himself in a horrible coat, before opening the door and stepping outside.
"Hagrid, wait up! You can't just do that! What are we doing?" Harry asked. The last time Hagrid had been this mysterious, Harry had ended up in the middle of an Acromantula Colony. He was not particularly interested in repeating such a feat.
"Didn't Ron or Hermione tell yeh?" asked Hagrid as he straightened out his coat, "I told em' to tell yeh to visit me after dark some time soon. Said it was important, I did. I had to specially schedule your detention with me, didn't think you'd come otherwise."
Harry narrowed his eyes in anger.
"Funnily enough, Ron and Hermione haven't said a word to me about any of this."
"Well, yer here now, that's what matters." said Hagrid happily.
Harry quietly followed Hagrid out the door, only to be suddenly stopped by the ginormous man.
"You can't be seen, Harry!" warned Hagrid, "Just follow me."
"If I didn't know any better, I would say those two statements tend to contradict each other." muttered Harry sarcastically.
Salazar's cynicism and sarcasm are finally rubbing off on me.