by
Catherine King
Harry could not believe he was going to Hogsmeade. It seemed like just yesterday he had gotten on the train to Hogwarts. However, he would have to suffer every visit with a teacher. He cheered up, however, when he learned that every visit would only be accompanied by Professor Gradison.
Harry liked her, as well as everyone else did. She praised the Gryffindors and said that they were the best House. As Ron said, she never took points or gave detentions.
“Now, who can tell me what the differences between a unicorn and a bicorn are, besides the number of horns?”
Hermione did her regular routine: teacher asks a question and up goes the hand.
“Yes, Granger.”
“The bicorn is rarer and much lesser known. However, its power is stronger than that of a unicorn, because the horn justifies the power.”
“Wondrous. Take ten points to Gryffindor. However, there is one more difference. Who can guess what that is?”
No one raised his or her hand. Not even Hermione. Harry, though, feebly raised his hand.
“Yes, Potter.”
Harry swallowed. “The blood of the bicorn and the unicorn both have powers, but slightly different ones?”
Professor Gradison looked at him. “Is that your final answer?”
“Yes.”
“Well - you’ve got it right! For 20 points to Gryffindor! Tough question, I know. Let’s continue with “Who Wants To Get a Perfect Score?”
On Halloween, the whole school was filled with the scent of pumpkin bread baking and the sound of slashing somewhere.
Ron, however, gave Harry a bit of bad news.
“My nose is runny, my teeth keep chattering, and my head hurts. I can’t go with you to Hogsmeade,” was what Harry made out through chattering teeth and a stuffed-up nose.
After they returned from Hogsmeade later that night, going down to the Halloween feast, Ron walked over to Harry, looking much better.
The Great Hall looked, well, great. Wait, no, not great. Amazing! The place was lit by enormous jack-o-lanterns with large slashes in them, obviously by some of Hagrids “pets.” Raisin pudding, pumpkin pie, juice, and bread, and treacle tarts, were just a sample of what was on the menu.
“You remember the Marauder’s map?” asked Ron helping himself to some raisin pudding.
“Of course,” said Harry. The Marauder’s map was something that showed you secret passages and stuff.
“Well, did you know that if you touched a certain ‘person’ with your wand, it will instantly zoom up to them and show you what they’re doing?”
“No, how should I?”
“Anyway, I discovered it when my wand touched that evil Slytherin guy (Draco Malfoy). Turns out he has a date with Pansy Parkinson. I decided to keep an eye on you. I really envy what you did.”
The next morning, Professor McGonagall wasn’t there. A woman with short, dark, brownish-red hair and round glasses was there instead. When the class took their seats, she stood up and said in a pleasant voice, “Hello. Professor McGonagall isn’t here today, due to family issues. I am Professor Bailey, your teacher for today.”
Professor Bailey was a nice teacher. She told them fascinating stories and made them all laugh. When the bell rang, signaling break, the whole class moaned. “Don’t worry, you’ll see me in the corridors. Granger,” she said, nodding at Hermione, “I’m extremely proud of you. And Weasel,” she said, pointing to Ron, who flinched, “some improvement wouldn’t hurt, but you’re OK. You too, Potter.”
