The next morning, Professor Flitwick gather everyone in the common room. Apparently, wizarding chess's popularity was on the rise, and a couple of senior students were fighting over who's the best at it. So it was decided that there will be a tournament, and all years could participate in it.
"Matches will be round-robin style in each year, and final two from every year will then compete for the win. Those of you who want to participate, write your name on this parchment."
'A chess tournament, nice. No way am I wasting my time there.'
Apparently, I was a rare breed, since almost everyone else signed up for it.
After everyone had written their names, Professor Flitwick seemed extra happy, maybe by seeing the enthusiasm of his students.
"Now we'll also need 2 people to keep the scores. Penelope, you are one of them, as you didn't sign up. For the other… Ansh, you'll join her."
'The WHAT!?' I think.
"The WHAT!?" I blurt out.
"Any problem?"
"Professor, I am already busy with the Quidditch practice. So, I won't be able to do this."
"Don't worry about that. The matches will take place after dinner. You'll be free by then. And you are the only one remaining who didn't sign up but knows the rules of the game, apart from Penelope."
"But Profes-"
"Don't worry," he says, patting my shoulder, "You'll do fine. It will be fun." And then leans in to whisper, "And if a point or two gets misplaced, nobody will notice."
'Say what?'
I am left stunned by his words.
'Did he just tell me that I can rig the game? But for what, I ain't even participating?... Maybe someone will be willing to buy a point?'
Unfortunately, by the time I get out of my shock, he has left the common room. And I am left with my nights booked.
This week has been… something. Last time I was this busy, I was preparing for entrance exams.
'It's like everyone needs me for something, or something always happens. Nights and evenings were already gone by quidditch and chess, but I didn't get any time even during the days. Sometimes it's labelling potions, searching for a lost pet with Hermione, helping Dora or Parvati with homework, helping Hagrid in brushing unicorns, a mystery hunt set up by Fred and George… okay some of them were fun. STILL!'
Finally today is Saturday, which means a break from the chess tournament, so I can relax at night.
*Knock knock*
"Ugh~ who's it now?"
I open the gate to see Penelope.
"You know, you are taking unfair advantage of that prefect privilege. Knocking on a young man's door at night, what will the others think?"
"That you have got into some other trouble." She replies in a second, and I can't refute that.
"So what do you want?"
"Come with me." She says, and without giving me time, drags me out into the common room.
There I see a dozen other students gathered.
"What do you want?"
"It's for something fun. We are all planning this year's first ghost-stories night. And you are invited."
"…A what now?"
"Some students from all houses gather and tell each other horror stories and try to scare each other. We do it every few months."
"Why am I not surprised? But I am not going, thank you."
As soon as I turn to go back, I am grabbed by two other senior students.
"Not a choice. Since you now know that we are breaking curfew, you have to come with us. Otherwise, you might snitch on us."
"Look guys, I will not do anything like that. I just want to rest in peace… wait, that did not come out rig-"
"Doesn't matter. We invited you, so you are coming now. First-years don't get to reject after they are invited."
I try to struggle, but it's a futile attempt…
'There goes my rest day.'
"Last night was so fun!" Padma cheers from my side at lunch.
"It was." Despite all my reluctance, it was fun.
"Your story was lame."
"Like yours was any better."
"Oh please, people at least flinched at mine, yours was putting people to sleep."
"I'm sure your face did half the job."
As we were bickering, someone pats me on the back.
"What you guys talking bout?" Asks Hagrid.
"Nothing at all," Says Padma, after all the whole thing is secret. Though I doubt Hagrid would snitch on us.
'More chances, he might ask to join in.'
"Hey Ansh, I was wondering if you could help me with something today?"
'There goes my Sunday as well!'
"Sure, what is it?" No way I can say no to him.
"Oh it is really exciting." He says then leans in to whisper in my ear, "We will have to go into the forbidden forest. Are you up for it?"
'Okay, this has got my attention. Hagrid inviting someone to the Forbidden Forest… Well I'm in!'
"When do we meet?"
"Knew you would like it. Meet me in an hour at my hut." He says and walks away, looking happy.
"What was that?" Padma asks.
"No idea. Just told me to meet him in an hour, guess I'll know when I meet him later."
"So let me get this straight." I ask as I take in the herd before me, "Our task is to brush these unicorns?"
"Yes. Majestic creatures aren't they? Let me tell you, not everyone gets the chance to see them this close, much less touch them."
"Okay, I get that part." That part is understandable, "What I don't get is- Why?"
"Well, I usually do this with Professor Kettleburn, but he's recovering from an injury he got earlier and can't do it this time. So I thought I would ask you."
"Okay… still why? Not why you asked me, but why do we have to do this? And why do they want this? Aren't they supposed to not let anyone touch them, other than young girls?"
"Now where did you hear that?" He looks at me as if I just said something absurd, "They don't let anyone touch them, true. But the part about young girls is stupid. What they care about is a pure heart with no malice towards them."
I immediately look towards the unicorn, and it looked back.
"I don't think they have good judgement." I say to him, "What's the current market price for unicorn hair?"
"Don't worry about that." he replies with a grin, "Why do you think we do this?"
"…Cause you like them?"
"…That is right. I would do it for free if it were up to me." He admits, "But the school has a deal with them. We brush their hair, they give us their tail hairs they shed. They love the feeling of it." He then leans it and whispers, "And they like to show off their looks afterwards."
"Wow, didn't even think of that. *sigh* Truly, my business sense is severely lacking."
"Now, let's get started. And don't worry, you get to keep some hair afterwards."
He says that and then proceeds to teach me how to do it. The unicorns were wary of me at first, but after staring at me for a few seconds, they warmed up to me quickly.
Brushing them was an easy task, it was the sheer number that was tiresome. Some young ones didn't even have any hair, but insisted on getting brushed.
'Guess the feeling of wanting to mimic an adult is universal.'
After I brushed one, they would then parade around, like showing off their coat. Though I was still quite slow. By I time I did 1, Hagrid went through 3 of them. Still, I guess I helped 25%, so better than nothing.
(Padma POV)
"Alright, so what's the next week's plan?" I ask them.
"The evenings are covered by Madam Hooch, and nights by chess tournament. All we have to take care of is the mornings." Parvati says.
"We would have to think of something else for nights. The tournament will be over by Tuesday." Penelope says.
"Maybe we can do an exploding snap tournament?" George asks.
"No. The students will refuse. We got lucky that chess was in trend. Trying it again will fail." Penelope says.
"Maybe we can have him join us for some pranks on those snakes." Fred suggests.
"And put him in detention? What are you-… Actually, not a bad idea." Hermione says.
"Let's keep it as backup. Any other ideas?" I ask.
"Maybe we can set up something like a treasure hunt? Which guy can resist that?" Nymphadora suggests.
"That sounds so fun!" Fred says.
"Leave it to us!" George joins in.
"We'll make sure he stays busy the entire day."
"Okay, that settles one day. we still have to think of something of the rest." Penelope says.
"Maybe I can keep him busy by claiming I need his help in helping me practice my face-changing."
"That sounds like a good idea. then we can-"
'I thought he had too few friends, but looking at everyone trying their best to come up with ways to keep him busy, without letting him know, maybe he has the right ones.'
'I just hopes he gets fine after this week.'
(Mrs. Patil POV)
"Any luck?" I ask my husband.
He sighs and seems to sink into the couch.
"Anyone I ask, they all say it's a hopeless case. No one has even heard about an Obscurial getting cured." He says in a low voice.
"I don't even know what to do anymore." he says, his voice breaking, "I tried everything. Every string I could pull, I did. Every connection I could ask, I did. But… I got nothing."
I put my hand on his arm. I know he has been doing all he can, he has barely slept for over a week. Even I tried to ask everyone, but everyone has the same reply.
There's no way, they all say.
"Tomorrow's the deadline." He says.
We both know what that means. It means leaving our son's fate in the hands of a Dark Lord.
"Look on the bright side." I somehow manage to say, "At least we still have hope."
Although I know, we both find it hard to believe.
'Merlin, why my son?'