MwaM; Ch 17: Pupil-less Ponies

Author's Note: Hello there, this is chapter 17 of Merc with a Mouth. I really hope you will like it.

Important Disclaimer: All the characters in the story have been aged up, and therefore every character is an adult. This is an alternate universe story, which means none of the characters are minors or underaged.

Also, congratulations to our Guildmasters: Camo, I am Lord Dems, StormFox, RyanMK666, PenguGoesVroom, Hydrus Black and Darth Josh! 😇🥰

Now, without any further ado....Let's begin!

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Merc with a Mouth

-Dev Sagittarius Black

~Chapter 17: Pupil-less Ponies~

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It had only been a few minutes since they had finished dinner, and already Harry was moving through the large doors of Hogwarts to reach the groundskeeper’s cottage. It was his third night of regretting not pressing Lucius Malfoy to cancel the ridiculous idea of detention altogether. 

The thought had obviously crossed his mind earlier, when he was happily chopping Malfoy’s ego to pieces. Harry knew the blonde idiot would’ve caved in an instant if he’d wanted it. But giving him that kind of out would’ve made him an easy target for Dumbledore—and the merc wasn’t about to hand the old man free ammunition. 

Like, seriously, just picture it: Malfoy storming up to Hogwarts, demanding suspension for the boy who beat up his brat… only to have that same boy casually burn him. Then, in a miraculous burst of compassion, he asks Dumbledore to cancel the boy’s detention because—What? He suddenly felt generous? Enlightened? Got hit with Charles Xavier’s stupid benevolence?

Yeah, sure, Lucy. Try selling that one to the old man. It wasn’t like he could tell the real reason anyway.

Soon enough, he reached the groundskeeper’s hut, where the man’s dog, Fang, was lounging by the door. The dog gave a happy ‘arf’ before rolling on his stomach. Harry fondly shook his head at the lazy hound before he went behind the hut and was surprised to find the friendly half-giant merrily chatting with someone else.

“What did you do to end up in detention, Belly bells?” Harry announced himself before giving a two-finger salute to the most secretive man in Hogwarts, “How’s it going, big man?”

The half-giant turned around, smiling widely as he cleaned his basketball-sized hands on his large overcoat, “Righ’ on time, ‘arry.” He gestured towards the brunette beside him. “This here’s my friend—”

“Evening, stranger.” He grinned as Katie gave him a small hug. “How’s it going, Kitten? I didn’t know you got detention as well.”

“That’s because I didn’t.” She smiled, looking up into his green eyes. “Every now and then I join Hagrid when he’s feeding the thestrals.”

“Really? You didn’t tell me about that.” He looked back towards the big man who was done placing the raw, unappetising meat in four enormous iron buckets. “And the Thestrals are, obviously, carnivores.”

“Well, they are not herbivorous, that’s for sure.” Katie shrugged as she clasped his hand and walked towards the buckets. “Sometimes Hagrid feeds them pellets too, but they don’t like it much.”

“Tha’s cause they like the smell o’ blood, they do.” He nodded as he heaved two buckets in one go while Katie levitated another one. “Give us a hand, will yeh, Harry? We’ve got ter carry ’em down ter the paddock.”

“Sure.” The merc nodded and readily lifted the last bucket before joining the two as they waddled towards the heavily wooded Thestral paddock that was just a few hundred metres from Hagrid’s hut. 

The gravel crunched beneath the half-giant’s heavy boots as he walked ahead, leaving Harry and Katie a few paces behind, who were purposefully walking a bit slowly, enjoying the slow descent into the shadowy forest air that smelt faintly of damp leaves, twilight marigolds and starpetal roses that were also the homes to cicadas who chirped around them. 

“So… first time handling thestrals?” Katie asked, her tone teasing, nudging him slightly with her elbow.

“Well, not really the first time but…..” Harry shrugged, walking beside her as they looked around the forest under the moonlight. “Not exactly… what I imagined for a Saturday night.”

“Oh?” Katie smirked. “I thought a dark forest and a sexy girl would sound pretty good to you. I’m disappointed to know that’s not the case.”

“Cause you’re forgetting that I'm in detention, following a half-giant professor and carrying a gallon of meat which will be a meal for a group of bloodthirsty carnivores.”

Katie snorted, “There, there, I'm not the one who beat up the blonde ponce now, am I?” She giggled. “Though I’ve heard that you got him and his friends pretty good.”

“Not good enough.” Harry sighed. “We aren’t attending funerals anytime soon.” 

“Thankfully.” She replied before explaining further. “See, all of us wanted to kick that idiot, but none of us had the guts because of who his father is. Lucius Malfoy has a hell lot of clout, and everyone knows that he wipes his son’s shiny arse with galleons. So, I don’t know how you managed to simply get away with just a detention, but if you’d roughed him up any more, you’d probably be kicked out of Hogwarts.”

“That’s why I stopped, you know.” The merc nodded before smirking, “Because then I’d have missed the chance to get to know you better.” He winked at her, “And we don’t want that now, do we?”

“Of course we don’t.” She smiled, a small amount of pink colouring her cheeks. “You already know me well enough… unless you’re just looking for excuses to get closer.”

“Is it working then?” He grinned, nudging her lightly with his elbow. “If it is, then do tell, when will we be close enough so that neither of us is able to speak?”

Her face turned red faster than a spell gone wrong, and Harry lost it, bursting into laughter. Katie joined in a heartbeat later, landing a playful punch to his ribs that only made him laugh harder. Then, she hooked her arm in the crook of his elbow, their laughter spilling into the evening air together.

The merc was quite glad to have met the beautifully bubbly girl. She was one of the few girls who could laugh with him, and he adored her for it. She always knew what to say, when to say it, and how to keep things light without ever making them shallow. With her, something just… clicked—like their energies had always been in sync, and they had known each other for most of their lives.

Soon enough they reached the heavily wooded Thestral paddock that was at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid guided them inside through the narrow passage, which was lined with heaps of  Shadow-moss and interspersed by tufts of Nightshade Jasmines that glowed in the moonlight.

“Alright then! Let’s see…” Hagrid grunted as he set the two buckets a few metres from each other, followed by Katie, who placed hers away from his. “Yeh do the same, ‘arry. Thestrals got a sharp nose; they’ve likely sniffed out their supper from halfway ‘cross the forest.”

True to the groundskeeper’s words, just as Harry placed his bucket, they heard the soft stampede of hooves as a few peeked from behind the thicket of trees, followed by a lot more of their herd.

If it weren’t for their draconic heads, bat-like wings and fleshless bodies, they would’ve looked exactly like horses. Their smooth skin clung to the bone as if they were starving, and yet Harry knew that they were actually quite healthy and thriving under the care of the groundskeeper.

“Yeh can see ‘em.” 

Harry nodded. “I’ve been able to for some time.” He noticed his friend who was watching them as well. “You too?”

Katie glanced at him with a sad smile. “Since I was seven.” She nodded before her smile turned a bit happier. “My mum used to be in-charge of the ECC. She used to show me pictures of all kinds of creatures and sometimes took me to her workplace as well. I was quite afraid the first time I saw them.”

“The what now?” 

“The Enchanted Creature’s Conservatory, o’ course!” Hagrid added, cheerfully. “Rosaline Bell’s a well-known name in magizoology—second only ter the Scamanders, an’ near on equal ter the Lovegoods.” He explained before turning to the girl. “I read ‘er latest piece ‘bout the rapid decline in vampires in China, I did. An’ I reckon she’s right—it’s more likely some outside cause, not just their animosity wit’ the Werewolves.”

“If only the ICW agreed as well.” Katie sighed. “Unfortunately they are content to blame it as a mutual fight between the two species.”

“I mean, we don’ got much proof either—” 

“Hey…Sorry to interrupt you two, but can anyone tell me why the Thestrals are just standing there?” Harry asked them, pointing at the rather large herd that simply stood at the edge of the paddock with their heads turned towards him. “I mean, is that normal? Are they waiting for us to leave them alone?”

“No, it isn’t.” Katie glanced at Hagrid. “Is something wrong?”

“Not that I know of.” Hagrid frowned, walking towards the largest one, who didn’t even glance at the big man. “Wha’s wrong, boy? Come on, don’t you want to eat it? All of that is yours to devour.”

The alpha Thestral didn’t even budge at that, his pupil-less eyes affixed at the young merc. Hagrid tried to coerce him a few more times, going as far as to forcefully pull the winged horse to the buckets only to be met with disappointment as it didn’t even move, content on staring straight at Harry just like the entirety of his herd. 

“Alright! Have it your way!” The half-giant threw his hands, “I don’t know wha’s wrong with yeh—” 

“Hagrid! Wait!” Katie cried, walking towards the herd. “I think I might know the reason.” She bent down and picked a piece of raw meat from the bucket before throwing it towards the Thestrals. 

They watched in complete astonishment as a few of them dashed to devour it, finishing it even before it hit the ground.

“See? There’s nothing wrong with the food.” She threw another piece of meat and watched it follow the same routine. “Harry? Can you come here?”

It was at that moment that they realised the problem. 

The moment Harry started to move towards them, the entire herd started to back away from him as if they were afraid. He stopped for a few seconds before resuming his walk, and the same thing repeated till half of the Thestrals were back in the woods while the other half stood in front of them.

“‘Arry? They’re scared o’ him?” The groundskeeper rumbled. “Why’d they be scared o’ a human? Thestrals ain’t never afraid o’ humans.”

“I….don’t know that.” Katie mumbled as she glanced back at the mage, “Hagrid’s right. Thestrals don’t view humans as a threat. To them we’re somewhat of a friend whom they can rely on. I don’t understand why they’re behaving like this.”

But he did. Harry knew the reason why the creatures were afraid of him, and he couldn’t blame them for it.

Animals, especially those born of the wild, carried an instinct sharper than reason: the sense of danger. It was the first law of survival—spot the threat before anyone else. Then came the choice: fight or flee. That choice always hinged on one question—can we win?

Thestrals, more than most, had a sharp nose for danger. Their so-called gentleness came not from weakness, but from confidence. To them, almost nothing was worth fearing. Their hideous, fleshless appearance, draconic head, speed, predatory grace, and, most of all, invisibility were defensive enough to ward off anyone foolish enough to try.

And it worked…..untill they came face-to-face with Harry Carter.

He looked human. Spoke like one, moved like one, even wore the same skin. But when their instincts flared, they screamed something else. To them, he wasn’t a boy at all.

He was a monster.

A monster, who, if he wanted, could easily kill their entire herd in no time. They could try to run away from him, but none of them were willing to risk it.

Harry understood it as well. He raised his hands in a gesture of peace and started to walk away, smiling when he noticed them coming back once more. He kept on walking away till he was almost out of the paddock, while the herd gathered around the buckets, their skeletal heads dipping eagerly as they tore into the meat with surprising ferocity.

For a moment, Harry just watched, fascinated. Even monsters, it seemed, had rules—and a routine that could be respected.

“I’ll take my leave since it’s quite apparent that they don’t want me in their territory.” Harry shouted to Hagrid and Katie, who had been watching the entire thing with muted astonishment. “Should I wait for you two back at the hut or…”

“Yeh can leave.” Hagrid nodded, a strained smile on his face, clearly put out by what had happened. “Tonight’s detention’s o’er.”

The merc bid farewell to Katie, who asked if he’d join her and Leanne again for breakfast the next morning. He agreed and was about to leave when a strange cry stopped him in his tracks.

“HARRY! MOVE!” 

“OI! STOP RIGHT THERE!!” 

Harry spun sharply and watched as a smaller thestral, ignoring the alpha’s warning cry, tore away from the herd, charging straight at him. Its skeletal, draconic face was unnervingly focused, and its pupil-less eyes were locked into his own. 

Then, as suddenly as it had started, it came to a halt right in front of him. Harry froze, chest heaving, sure the next second would be a bite—or worse. He wiggled his fingers, bringing his wand out with a spell almost on his lips.

Instead, the thestral dipped its head, opening its mouth midway…..and licked his face.

Harry blinked, unsure whether to laugh or shiver. “Well… “ He muttered, wiping his cheek, “That’s new.”

The little thestral snuffled happily, nudging him again, as if scolding him for wiping before licking his cheek again. 

Harry grinned, shaking his head. “Okay, okay, I get it—you’re adorable… in a horribly creepy, deathy kind of way.”

For the first time, Harry felt a flicker of connection with the eerie creatures—not monsters, just misunderstood beings…..with a very peculiar sense of greeting.

⁂

“Detention, Miss Bones.” The voice sliced through the silence permeating the room. “You will join Harry Carter with the groundskeeper for three evenings.”

Susan looked at the hook-nosed professor with absolute shock on her face. “But it wasn’t my fault, sir.” She said, “Hannah—”

“Ten points from Hufflepuff, for arguing with a professor,” Snape hissed, his dark eyes narrowing. “Do you wish to continue? I would advise against it if I were you.”

“But she’s right,” Hannah decided to jump in. “I wasn’t able to judge correctly, and her spell—”

"Do you wish to join your friend, Miss Abbott?" He sneered at her. “I knew the Hufflepuffs were loyal, but it’s quite foolish of you to attempt to protect Miss Bones when everyone here saw what she just did.”

“I was the—” The blonde puff was stopped by her friend, who shook her head in denial.

“Sorry, sir.” The redhead dipped her head. “I’ll make sure to not repeat my error.”

“It seems at least some of you still possess your manners,” the DADA professor said, eyes narrowing at Hannah, who returned his glare without a shred of fear. “Make sure that you don’t.”

Soon enough the last class of the day ended, and Severus Snape watched as the sixth-year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws walked out of the door in complete silence. His eyes stayed for a while longer on the auburn-haired girl, Susan Bones, before he shook his head and flicked his wand to close as well as lock the door. 

The professor sank into his chair, the leather creaking under his weight, as he pulled his eagle-feather quill from the inkpot. He then proceeded to scribble a hasty note and tore it free from the parchment.

“Dobby.”

A faint ‘pop’ echoed through the dim room, and the house-elf appeared, swaddled in a filthy pillowcase. His saucer-wide green eyes seemed almost too big for his frail physique. “Did Master Snape call for Dobby?” he asked, voice quivering. “What can Dobby do for—”

“Give this to Lucius,” Snape replied, voice flat, as he slid the note across the desk. “And tell him not to come for at least two days. Understood?”

“Yes, Master!” Dobby squeaked, bowing so low his ears nearly touched the floor.

With another snap of his fingers, he vanished, leaving the room in a heavy silence. 

Snape leaned back in his chair, flicking his wand as he sent a silent incendio towards the fireplace. After that he steepled his fingers and stared at the honey-coloured flames that danced on the logs. 

Alone, he let the stillness settle around him—his mind, on the contrary, was raging with thoughts regarding Lucius Malfoy, their plan, Susan Bones, and, of course, Harry Carter.

⁂

“Nyx.” 

“Bonesy Boo.” 

“Nocturnal.” 

“Ms. Peekaboo.”

“Lunaire.”

“Boo Boo.”

“What’s your fascination with the word ‘Boo’?” Susan frowned at him. They were sitting near the pumpkin patch outside Hagrid’s hut. Discussing a name for Harry's new Thestral friend who was playing with Katie a few metres away from them.

“What’s wrong with it? I like it.” Harry grinned. “There’s no bad word that could be made from ‘Boo’.”

“Give me one example.”

“You don’t want to know.” Katie jumped in, laughing as the female Thestral licked her face. “I still think that Ghostly Gal suits her the best, but Harry says it clashes with another pet that he has at his home.”

“It does.” The merc nodded before looking back in the direction of the groundskeeper, who was stirring the cauldron that hung above the bonfire they had built. “Is the stew ready, Big man?”

Hagrid waved the ladle, sloshing droplets of the gravy around him that irritated his dog, who immediately got up in protest. 

“Gonna take a bit o’ time ‘fore it’s ready,” he rumbled with a broad grin, rubbing Fang’s head to calm him once more. “Reckon it’s ‘cause o’ the amount I’m cookin’. Ain’t had ter make a meal fer such a big group o’ guests in ages, yeh know.”

“Don’t worry, Hagrid, none of us are particularly hungry.” Susan replied as she looked towards Katie, who, for all that she knew, was playing with air. “I still can’t believe you got yourself a Thestral, and that there was such a huge herd that was pulling our carriages.”

Harry smiled at her, remembering when he realised that it was his Thestral who had pulled his carriage when he came to Hogwarts.

“It wasn’t my choice. That little lady over there all but forced herself on me.” The green-eyed one answered, pointing towards said 'little lady' who gave a small sniff. “You so did! Do you know how scary you are when you run at me—Okay! Okay! I’m sorry! SORRY! You’re not scary at all! You’re absolutely gorgeous to look at!”

The thestral that was almost ready to dash him to mud gave a small chirp of agreement before she nuzzled into Katie’s hand like a good little girl. Susan and Katie chuckled at him, joined by Hagrid’s booming laughter, who was really excited at being able to cook for his guests and share the recipe of his teacher.

“What?”

“Nothing.” Susan chuckled, softly patting Harry’s leather overcoat that was folded neatly in her lap. “It’s just that, with Zach, you’re like a friend. You know, like…happy, relaxed, playing with him and letting him win every now and then, and here with her you’re like a father.” 

“A father?” He blinked. “I don’t think so. She’s more like an ungrateful brat who does whatever she wants.”

The skeleton creature gave a loud chirp and thumped her front hooves on the ground. 

“See? That’s what I’m talking about.” Harry pointed out, grinning as the female threw a tantrum. “Ungrateful brat.”

“Stop it, Harry.” Susan shook her head, smiling at the boy she had started to slowly like. “Here, let me go and calm her.” She offered him his jacket, which he accepted.

“You just want to play with Skeletina.”

“Skeletina?” The Bones heiress sighed. “Please don’t give any more nicknames. I beg you.” She slowly got up and went towards Katie. “Room for another?” 

“Always.” The older witch gently held Susan’s hand and traced it on Skeletina’s face. “You know, I’m really jealous of how soon she started to like you. It took me three days before she allowed me, and here you are with her within a day.”

“Not complaining.” The redhead replied, giggling when the Thestral licked her hand. “She’s like a kitten.”

“Yeah, a happy little kitten.” Katie released her hand. “Unfortunately, our kitten’s herd doesn’t approve of her growing bond with Harry. For some reason they’re very afraid of him.” 

“I hope they're not hurting her or anything.”

“Ah, no, they aren’t.” Katie shook her head; they could hear Fang happily barking as Hagrid threw him some raw pieces of meat. “Hagrid told us that Thestrals are very loyal to their herd and would never harm each other unless necessary. Her herd is probably just a little upset with her for her friendship with humans; I think they’ll get over it in no time.”

Susan nodded and continued to pet her as Katie started to walk away from them.

“I’m a bit tired, and someone has to keep a check on that idiot before he comes up with another weird name, right?” She answered with a grin as she went towards Harry, who was relaxing in his seat. 

“You look like you’re scheming,” Katie said, falling on the soft patch of wild grass beside him. “I hope it’s not more nicknames.”

“Me? Scheming?” Harry chuckled, glancing at her. “I was just wondering if the moonlight makes you this pretty….or if you’re using some secret chaser trick on me.”

The older witch rolled her eyes, but her cheeks coloured faintly. “That’s corny.” She smiled, slightly leaning forward to whisper. “But if that’s your game, Carter, you’ll have to try harder. I’ve heard better lines from Lee Jordan after three butterbeers.”

“Ouch,” He teased, clutching his chest as though wounded. “I’ll have you know that I can go harder.” The merc shot back, his grin widening at her raised brow. “Just don’t ask me to stop once I get going.”

Her cheeks darkened in colour as she looked away from him. “You’re terrible.” She tried to control her blush. 

“Terribly charming, maybe.” He nudged her shoulder. “And besides, you’re still here with me, and I haven't been slapped yet. So I must be doing something right.”

“Why? Do you get slapped a lot?” She grinned. “Do you like being slapped, Harrrry?” She said his name in a seductive tone.

“I like slaps if I’m the one doing them and the girl’s asking for more.” He winked at her. “Interested, Katie?”

Katie’s eyes widened a little before she burst into laughter, shoving him lightly in the ribs. “You’re impossible.” She shook her head. 

“Impossible to resist.” He grinned at her. “And, just so the jury knows, the accused hasn’t declined my offer.”

A few metres away, Susan was struggling to keep her composure. Heat had rushed to her face, staining her cheeks the same fiery shade as her hair, while her imagination betrayed her with images of Harry taking control—binding her, disciplining her in ways that made her pulse quicken. She subtly shifted where she stood, thighs pressing together as a molten ache pooled in her belly, bringing feelings that were impossible to ignore.

Bell’s smirk softened into something warmer. “Careful, Carter. Keep this up and I might actually start liking you.” She leaned against him.

“I’m not complaining,” he whispered, and for a moment, the moonlight from the full moon felt like it was conspiring with him.

“Harry?” Katie whispered after a stretch of silence. There was something she had been wanting to tell him for a long time, but the words had always stuck in her throat. Even now, her chest tightened with hesitation, her mind spinning with doubts about how he’d take it. “I… I want to ask you something. But you have to promise to listen all the way through before saying anything. Okay?”

Susan’s eyes widened in shock. Her breath caught as she turned toward them, every part of her screaming to stop Katie before she said too much.

“Hmm?” Harry tilted his head. “What happened?”

“I… I have…” Katie bit down on her lip, trying to summon every ounce of Gryffindor courage she had. It had seemed so simple in the mirror, so easy when she rehearsed it in her head, and even easier when they were trading flirty remarks. But now, with him looking at her, the words tangled and refused to leave her tongue. “I have—”

She never got the chance to finish. 

A sharp, piercing cry split the night as his thestral stamped the ground violently, jerking everyone’s attention toward it.

“Susan!” The merc bolted forward, yanking her just as the thestral reared and slammed its front hooves into the ground. He pulled her behind him, shielding her with his body. “Get back! Stay behind me!” His voice rose as he tried to meet the beast’s wild, pupil-less stare. “HEY! Easy—calm down! Calm down!”

But the creature didn’t seem to hear him; its wings opened in a scary display as its hooves repeatedly thumped against the dirt.

Within moments, Hagrid came crashing with Fang at his heels. Katie immediately threw her arms around Susan, trying her best to comfort the trembling girl.

“What happened, Harry?” The groundskeeper demanded, his beady black eyes darting from the girl to the beast. “Why’s she actin’ up like tha’?”

“I don’t know?” Harry kept his hands raised, voice steady despite his heart beating like crazy. “She doesn’t look angry, Hagrid. She looks… worried.”

“Worried?” The half-giant froze, his bushy brows furrowing as realisation struck. “Wait—yeh mean… yeh can understand her?”

Harry hesitated. “I think so. It’s not words exactly—it’s more like…..a feeling.” He inched closer, hand outstretched until it brushed the leathery skin of her snout. “Easy, girl… Yes, that’s it. It’s me. Remember me?” He tried. “Now, calm down. You’re safe here. Tell me what’s wrong.”

The thestral chirped—a high, keening sound—and pressed its head against his palm while her wings flexed uneasily behind her.

“What’s she sayin’, Harry?”

Harry frowned, “She’s… warning us.” His gaze locked with the creature’s ghostly eyes.

Fang suddenly erupted into furious barking, the deep growls rattling the air. The girls gave a small shriek, and even the thestral jerked back with a hiss.

“DOWN, Fang!” Hagrid roared, trying to restrain the massive boarhound. His eyes snapped back to Harry. “Warnin’ us? Are yeh sure?”

“Yes.” Harry’s reply was grim, his hand steadily rubbing on the thestral’s trembling face. “She’s definitely warning us. But…” His eyes narrowed. “The question is…..against what?”

The answer tore through the night—long, mournful, and bone-chilling. A wolf’s howl split the forest silence, and every hair on Harry’s neck stood on end.

The answer came from the direction of the Whomping Willow in the form of a loud, bloodthirsty, wolfish howl that sliced through the silence of the night sky. 

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Ending Note: There we go! Liked it? Loved it? Needs some changes? Please, do tell.

I am waiting for all your comments. Constructive criticism is always appreciated.

Once more! Important Disclaimer: All the characters in the story have been aged up, and therefore every character is an adult. This is an alternate universe story, which means none of the characters are minors or underaged.

Thank you for reading and your comments,

With regards,
Dev Black