Massacre
Haddy has owned Beyoncé now for around two months and despite many pleas from Tom and the rest of the Knights to ‘rehome’ the creature, Haddy is still as in love with the snail as he was at the start. He takes it everywhere and has even convinced (read threatened) some of the Slytherin First Years to learn how to knit so they can create shell warmers for what has to be the most spoilt snail in the world. Which, Tom is sure, is a contributing factor to the snail deciding to self- fertilise, laying around 20 eggs at one o’clock in the morning mid-November. Tom knew it was around that time as at one o’clock the whole of the Slytherin dorms were awakened by a high pitch, exuberant scream coming from the common room door.
“I’M A GRANDMA!”
Haddy had barged into the Slytherin only space brandishing Beyoncé as high as his 5’1 frame would allow, a cluster of strange yellow blobs placed on a leaf next to the insect. Ever since then, Haddy had become even more protective of the pest bringing it and its offspring everywhere, even to the Knights of Walpurgis meetings.
Which is why none of the Knights saw it as a surprise to see Haddy walk up to their group of Slytherins, a snail on his shoulder and an almost fully gestated pod of eggs placed on a leaf, curled protectively in Haddy’s hand.
“Heya Guys”, Haddy exclaims taking a seat on the floor of the courtyard next to the bench Tom had commandeered.
With that, Haddy turns his attention completely towards making the eggs comfortable in a patch of springy grass and gently pulling Beyoncé of his shoulder.
Tom strokes the top of Haddy’s head absentmindedly as he reengages with the Knights, exchanging pleasantries, talking about schoolwork and making bets on who will be the next in Alphard Black’s long list of conquests.
“Common baby, come to Mama”, Haddy had travelled a bit further away from the group and looked to be trying to encourage the lazy and just plain uncomprehending snail to slither towards him.
“Who’s a little clever clog? You are! Yes, you are!”
Never pausing his conversation with his Knights, Tom continues surveying the grounds, constantly keeping one eye on Haddy to ensure the curious boy didn’t wander too far (he’d once gotten so distracted following a ladybird he was officially declared missing by Headmaster Dippet for half a day). It was during this surveillance that Tom noticed the bumbling figure of the new Gryffindor half-breed. The First Year had made a name for himself for being as clumsy as his premature height would suggest and for his predilection towards dangerous magical creatures. Tom had ensured he and Haddy had stayed far apart since learning that little titbit. Tom didn’t need for Haddy to be corrupted by the ‘friendly giant’ and start believing that poppycock the Light Side sprouts about ‘all magical creatures being equal’. Blagh. Thankfully, Tom and his Knights have become used to Haddy’s preposterous belief that all wizards are equal despite blood-status, including half-breeds in the equality spiel will just create a rift between Tom’s Favourite and Tom’s followers.
It was as he was pondering ways in which to avoid Hagrid and Haddy (two of the biggest creature lovers Hogwarts has ever seen) from becoming friends, that he saw the distracted half-giant amble in the group’s direction. Little did Tom know, that soon enough Haddy and Hagrid becoming friends would never be a concern of his again.
The giant was obviously distracted, riffling through his messenger bag, taking out weathered textbooks and leaving a flurry of crumpled paper and chewed quills in his wake, a look of consternation on his face as he continued with his funny looking half jog. It was only when Tom was able to feel the vibrations of the 6ft boys hurried steps that the older boy began feeling a niggling of worry, like a phantom sensation he currently had no need for. Knowing the greatness of his own mind, Tom knew that his subconscious had figured out that something in his surroundings has changed and that the new situation had become dangerous. The Slytherin rises from his seat swiftly scanning around the courtyard for what could have triggered him so. The Knights, recognising their leader had become wary, likewise began looking around all of them on guard and on edge. Well, all of them except…
“That’s right baby, Mama loves you, just one more foot and I’ll get you the most scrumptious tomato in the world!”
Tom’s gaze snaps towards Haddy and the massive First Year distractedly running in the tiny Hufflepuff’s direction. Before Tom could even shout out a warning to Haddy or a reprimand to Hagrid, Tom ears are assaulted by a concerning crunching sound.
The courtyard goes silent even the bumbling giant had stopped in his tracks an expression of horror on his face.
“MY BABIES!”
Haddy’s cry of absolute devastation breaks the silence and stillness that had overcome the small group. Haddy’s warbling cry continued as Tom watched the half-giant pick his left foot up and examine the bottom of his shoe where a clump of common garden snail eggs had been crushed beyond recognition. The massive boy looks towards Haddy and the rest of the Knights confusion now marring his expression.
“Oops?”
Haddy, obviously forgetting he is a wizard and can cast one of the most powerful torture curses Tom has ever seen, lets out a war cry before sprinting at the half-giant with his fists raised. If Tom was not Haddy’s best friend he would be laughing or at least smirking at the comical sight of the smallest Hufflepuff attempting to punch the largest Gryffindor in the face yet barely reaching the younger boy’s lower chest, and clearly not causing any pain. As it is, Tom is Haddy’s best friend and the hatred that welled in Tom’s gut for the Half-breed that has caused so much pain to Tom’s favourite person, was staggering. Tom didn’t care about the snail eggs, in fact, he was rather relieved he no longer had to secretly dispose of them before the Slytherin Common Rooms could be overtaken by the pests. What he did care about was the absolutely distraught expression on Haddy’s face and the rivers of tears pouring from his eyes. No one should ever cause his Haddy that much pain, not even Tom himself. Before Tom could reach for his wand and start getting curse happy, Headmaster Dippet appears at the entrance to the courtyard, obviously alarmed by the sound of a student in such distress.
“What on earth is happening to cause such a raucous?”
Tom forces his vengeful animal brain to the side at the thought of exposing his more violent tendencies to a teacher, knowing that whilst Hagrid had escaped Tom’s revenge for the moment, the half-giant’s days were numbered.
“Just a small accident sir, nothing to worry about.”
Tom swiftly but gently pushes a still sobbing Haddy towards Cygnus Black who immediately starts consoling the smaller boy, wiping his cheeks and comforting him with the condescending tone used towards pets and babies alike. Tom has to smother another wave of rage at the sight of Blacks arms wrapped around Tom’s boy, his unworthy face buried in Haddy’s gorgeous locks.
“Hadrian is just feeling a little under the weather, I’ll escort him back to his dormitory now sir.”
Dippet gives the group a slightly suspicious look before sighing and exclaiming, “Very well Tom, if he starts to feel any worse, ensure he gets to the Hospital Wing and the Matron sees to him.”
“Of course, sir”
Tom watches the Headmaster turn back the way he came and as soon as he was out of sight, Tom’s polite façade cracks. With a murderous look towards the slightly trembling half giant, the Slytherin hurries towards the now sniffling Haddy, almost ripping the boy out of the perverted Third Years arms. Haddy turns his face immediately into Toms chest, wrapping his small arms around the taller boy’s waist.
“Oh sweetheart, it’s okay.”
Tom carries on comforting Haddy, stroking the boy’s hair and rubbing circles on his back, an instinctual response that Tom had thought himself incapable of. Slowly encouraging Haddy to begin walking away from the crime scene, Tom snaps his fingers towards Abraxas, pointing towards the snail which was disinterestedly chewing on a blade of grass obviously uncaring that its offspring had just been massacred. Tom observed the blonde reluctantly pick up the snail by his shell, a disgusted grimace twisting his face. Malfoy hurried towards Tom and Haddy, the latter of which still had his face hidden within Tom’s robes, expanding the wet patch made of tears on Tom’s shirt.
“Uhh, Haddy, Beyoncé’s here”
Without revealing his face or stopping his cries, Haddy’s hand shoots out to gently take the snail from Malfoy. Haddy brings the creature up, quickly kissing its shell before he places it with the upmost care into his front pocket.
Tom gives a grimace of distaste and the image of Haddy’s lips touching the vermin but quickly smothers it when Haddy lifts his face up, cheeks flushed and eyes shimmering with tears.
“Oh sweetheart” Tom says, gently pushing Haddy’s face back towards his chest
“We’ll make him pay, for every tear you’ve shed we will spill a litre of his half-breed blood!”
Haddy resumes his sobbing, perhaps knowing that the harder he cries, the more gruesome the half-giants death will be and as Tom leads the boy away, the knights looking like a funeral procession behind them, heads bowed and hands clasped together, Tom knows that he will do anything to avoid ever having to hear Haddy cry again.