25 25. Easy Win

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Happy walked out of Snape's office and headed to Gryffindor's Common room.

'If Lucius knows about me, then I can't run away. He will always chase after me. I can't underestimate his greed. But now his greed can be his downfall.'

Happy felt his path was blocked and the future uncertain. He was somewhat safe when inside the school, but he had no idea what would happen if he was outside. Would the Death Eaters come after him? Would the goblins come after him? He knew his life was insured by his luck, but what of others?

Since he entered this wizarding world, this was the first time he had ever felt this worried. His hands felt clammy, and his mind was confused as to what to do. 'I'm supposed to be lucky, then how is this being lucky? Or is there something more to gain from this than what I could lose? In theory, everything that is happening or will happen should end up benefiting me in some way. But who will have to pay the price for my luck?' He wondered.

Midway, he decided to go to the Hospital Wing first and check if everything went well on Harry's side.

As he entered the wing, he was unsurprised to see Ron and Hermione huddled together near a bed, deep in conversation.

"Hermione, what happened?" He acted oblivious.

Hermione looked back. Her face contorted into a frown, and minor stains of dried tears were on her cheek. "Happy! Harry was…It wasn't Professor Snape! It was Professor Quirrell all along. Harry fought him and got injured. He isn't waking up."

"I should have done better," Ron mumbled at the side. "And who'll be the seeker in tomorrow's quidditch match now? We'll lose against Ravenclaw."

Happy rolled his eyes. He couldn't care less about that, "Well, at least he's safe and sound. We should all rest now, especially you two."

"Who came to stop us before? Are you alright?" Hermione asked.

Happy shrugged, "Nothing, it was just Filch. I fooled him and ran away. He didn't see my face, so I'm safe. Let's go now."

"That's right." Dumbledore calmly walked into the hospital wing. "Young minds should rest at night. It is important for your growing bodies."

"Yes, Professor." Hermione and Ron lowered their heads, feeling a tinge of guilt, and began to walk out, afraid that the Headmaster would take more points from them.

Happy also followed them but was stopped by the Headmaster for a moment. "Mister Lestrange…Let us meet once Harry wakes up."

Happy's eyes flickered for a split second, then turned normal. He nodded and proceeded out.

His mind continuously wondered. 'Does he know? He wants my blood too? I…I spent one lifetime stuck in a bed already. I don't want to be held in bed and be drained forever…I have to find a way out.'

Happy stumbled back into the Gryffindor dormitory, his mind still reeling from the day's events. He was confused, exhausted, and emotionally tired, and all he wanted to do was crawl into bed and forget the world existed.

As he lay down, he felt a soft weight on his chest and looked down to see his familiar, Koko, perched there, looking up at him with concerned eyes.

Happy scooped him up and held him close, feeling his soft feathers and hearing his comforting clucks.

With that, he fell asleep.

...

The sun shone brightly as Happy made his way to the Quidditch grounds. Despite the previous day's events, he was feeling remarkably refreshed and energized.

As he approached the field, he could hear the sound of brooms whizzing through the air and the cheers of his fellow Gryffindors.

"Hey, Happy!" Oliver Wood, the Gryffindor Quidditch team captain, called out as he saw him approach. "We've got a bit of a problem."

"What's going on?" Happy asked, already knowing the issue.

"Harry can't be our Seeker for today's match," Wood explained. "He's still in the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey won't let him come out just yet."

"What are we going to do?" Happy asked, already having guessed the answer to some degree.

"We need to find a temporary Seeker for today's match," Wood said, looking around at the rest of the team. "Any volunteers?"

There was a moment of silence as the reserve team members looked at each other, each hoping someone else would step forward. They were proud to be members of the reserve, but no one actually had much confidence in locating the Snitch, let alone catching it.

Finally, Wood's eyes landed on Happy. "How about you, Happy?"

'I knew it!'

Happy sighed. He had so much to think about, but he couldn't let the team lose either. So, he reluctantly nodded his head.

Oliver patted him on the back, "Come on, Happy, I know you got it in you."

In no time, the Quidditch match finally began, and the excitement was palpable. Students from all houses cheered from their seats, their voices mixing together in a cacophony. Whistles and shouts filled the air as the players soared above, darting and weaving.

The Ravenclaw team felt confident since the Gryffindor's star player, Harry Potter, was not playing in the match. They were sure that without him, the Gryffindor team was no match for them.

Tweeeeet!

Madam Hooch blew her whistle, and the match started.

The brooms zoomed away, with each team member taking their position, but Happy remained seated in one spot this time. He wasn't much interested in the match today since his mind was preoccupied.

But he was, after all, born with luck.

Whoosh!

Right in front of his face, Happy saw the Golden Snitch, its tiny wings flapping rapidly as it darted and weaved through the air.

As he got closer, he noticed something strange. The Snitch was moving in the same direction he was moving, as if it was following him, but from ahead. It was all too predictable for him, as he knew what would happen next.

'Oh my blessed yet rotten luck.'

Happy took off his quidditch robes and slung them forward. Instantly, he caught the Snitch in his robes and fetched it in his hands. He showed it to all the above, and the crowd's noises died.

Tweeeeet!

As the whistle sounded once again, the match came to an abrupt end.

It only lasted a mere 45 seconds. Before anyone had even truly begun playing, Happy had already earned the winning score for Gryffindor.

"Gryffindor wins?... Gryffindor WINS!" Lee's voice echoed triumphantly through the stadium, leaving the Ravenclaw team in disbelief.

The victory had come so easily that even the Gryffindor students were left wondering what they were supposed to do next. Still, as the team huddled around Happy, they cheered wildly for him.

When the team reached the ground, they picked him up and threw him in the air. After all, Gryffindor won the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup.

However, for Happy, the day was long from being over.

....

As their match ended and the team was celebrating, Professor McGonagall called him over and told him that Dumbledore wanted to see him right now.

He had no idea why he had been summoned this urgently, but he knew it must be important. He couldn't even change out of his Quidditch robes, which were now sweaty and crumpled from his recent match.

When he arrived at the office, he found not only Dumbledore but also Harry Potter waiting for him.

"You asked for me, professor?" Happy entered.

"Happy, thank you for coming so quickly," Dumbledore said, his eyes grave.

Harry looked at Happy and spoke, "I didn't find the Sorcerer's Stone, Happy. Quirrell was defeated by Professor Dumbledore, who arrived on time."

"So where is it? Where could the stone be?" asked Dumbledore from his seat. "I know you saw the Mirror of Erised, Mr. Lestrange. So, where is it? The stone is not a thing that a young man like you should possess. It will bring you more harm than good."

Happy started sweating, and he rubbed his head in embarrassment.

"Well… You see… I did find the mirror and got the stone out of it easily. But…I thought about what it'd taste like, so I licked it. But a loud noise came just then, and someone entered the room. In a hurry to escape, I accidentally swallowed the entire stone."

"..."

"Y-You ate the stone?!" Harry exclaimed, eyes wide in shock.

"I'm afraid…I did."

"..."

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A/N: I know, my brothers and ladies. Some of you are displeased by the lack of slice-of-life and instant gratification from Happy's Luck. I'm not defending. It is what it is; I wrote this and will stick by it.

I planned major luck-related stuff to pay off for Happy in the long run. Of course, there will also be other rewards that will be quick to get. Money, power, and followers, everything is supposed to come in due time.

But, if you don't want to wait, maybe try a month or two later. Or perhaps we'll see each other whenever I post my next story.

I know not every story I write can be to the liking of all. It's just how writing is. Different ideas are perceived differently by people.

So to those who decide to leave, I thank you for reading.

***Those who are sticking, I want you to para-comment here for romance suggestions. I won't go for OC this time, so if you suggest a name, please also suggest a reason why she should be the one.***