They knew perfectly well that, as an underage wizard, Harry wasn't allowed to use magic outside Hogwarts, but they were still apt to blame him for anything that went wrong about the house.
They were half hoping for a reason to fight Malfoy, but Professor McGonagall, who could spot trouble quicker than any teacher in the school, was there in a flash.
" I just don't want my Quidditch team messed up again! " he said hastily, but Hermione continued to look suspicious, and he was most relieved when a voice behind them called, " Harry! " giving him an excuse to turn his back on her.
" Our Care of Magical Creatures teacher will be delighted to take care of them, " said Dumbledore, " the moment he has returned from dealing with a slight situation that has arisen with some of his other-er-charges."
" Yeah, well, a bit o'trouble wouldn'hurt, " said Hagrid, pausing to peer around the edge of the stands to make sure the stretch of lawn between there and his cabin was deserted. " Give us more time."
Mrs Linton, who was very much excited, bade me accompany her upstairs. She did not know my share in contributing to the disturbance, and I was anxious to keep her in ignorance.
He knew that his whole story would collapse with the smallest investigation, but on the other hand, he only had until his face regained its usual appearance before the game was up in any case.
" Presently! Do you know to what you exposed yourself? Didn't you see anything in the corner, on the left, on the third shelf? Speak, answer, articulate something" .