Chapter 3- taken
Hermione snuck out of the room of requirement and headed to the library. It was three hours after curfew but she had to know how to find a Leviathan. She'd read through the whole book on elements and there was nothing on the Leviathans other than the short passage she had already read. How else would she protect herself completely? She had to know what she was up against. How did they feed on her magic? What were the common forms they took? Were the born or made? Professor Snape didn't want to hear her endless questions so she was on her own. He refused to answer questions about Leviathans. She had no idea why.
She ducked into a corner when she heard footsteps. Hermione held her breath, staying silent as the footsteps passed. She let out the breath she'd been holding and pulled out her wand to unlock the library doors.
The doors made a loud creaking noise but the footsteps were far enough away so they didn't hear. She went straight to the element section but there weren't any other books that had anything to do with Elementals or Leviathans. Disappointed she turned to leave, but the footsteps were back and right by the door. She put the light she been using out and didn't move a muscle.
"Who is in there?" A voice called. It wasn't a voice she recognized. Hermione got down on her knees and peeked her head around the corner and was shocked to see it was Professor Snape and he was using his wand to disguise his voice. She pulled out of the way just in time to miss his gaze.
"I know you're in here." He said, dropping the façade. Hermione shivered at the sound of his voice. She clutched her wand tightly before standing up and darting across the room, on tip toes.
It would be so embarrassing to be caught by him and then have to see him tomorrow.
"Miss Granger." He called from right behind her making Hermione jump out of her skin. She sighed in defeat.
"Professor." She answered sadly.
"Detention this evening at seven. Good night." He turned to leave and Hermione watched him go with sad eyes.
Ginny Weasley was not someone who forgave easily. When she had a problem with someone they knew it and it lasted a long time. This mess with that bitch Hermione was a great example. Hermione had basically killed her brother and hadn't even owned up to it. Ginny hated her so much for what she did.
On a different note, something was wrong with her magic. She could still cast spells but it was weak and rather pathetic. Her legendary bat-boogey hex no longer had that kick in it. She also couldn't cast a patronus no matter how hard she tried. Normally she would ask Hermione, but there was no way she would do that now. Not while she couldn't stand to even be around her. Ginny was headed to the library, her last resort. If she didn't find anything she would have to ask her head of house. She would get answers no matter what she had to do to get them. There weren't many people in the library at this time of day. Ginny went to the section that had books on the magical core. There was a book title: The Ups and Downs of a Magical Core. She pulled the book off the shelf and headed to a secluded table in the dark corner of the library.
The magical core is the center of what a wizard is. Everyone magical core is different to every wizard. The magical core is something that the wizarding world is still trying to figure out. There are a few things that the world has an understanding of. Firstly, you cannot drain your core, it's impossible. There will always be a reserve in your body. Secondly, your magical core can fluctuate in intensity. For example, if you cast a lumos charm twelve times in one day, your core won't be diminished, but if you cast a patronus twelve times in one day , you core will be diminished and your magic won't be as strong as it was.
Ginny looked up from the book, disappointed. That wasn't the case with her magic. She hadn't overdone her spells at all. She flipped through the book and stopped when she saw a fantastic picture of a woman raised her hands and bringing fire from the earth.
When you become in touch with your magical core, you have the power to be stronger than your average witch or wizard. It's a lengthy process to touch your magical core. It's also very dangerous that much raw power is enough to shock your body and go into a magical coma.
Ginny slammed the book shut, frustrated. There was nothing in here that could tell her what was going on with her magic. She would have to go ask her head of house.
As she made her way down to her teachers classroom Ginny thought over what she had read. It made sense, but it wasn't what was wrong with her. She was beginning to get worried. What if she was losing her magic for good? What if she turned into a squib? She would have to leave Hogwarts!
She knocked on the door, leading to the transfiguration classroom.
"Come in." McGonagall said. Ginny opened the heavy door and took a deep breath before stepping inside.
"Miss Weasley, how can I help you?" She asked politely.
Ginny sat down in the chair across from her. She fiddled with her fingers and took another deep breath before answering.
"I think I'm losing my magic."
Silence met her declaration. Ginny looked up from her feet and saw shock written all over her face.
"Why would you think such a thing?" She asked Ginny.
"Because every day spells are becoming harder and harder to do. I can no longer cast a patronus." Ginny explained, waiting for something to click in her head of house's brain. She wanted to be told everything would be alright and that there was nothing to worry about.
"Well, I'll have to look into it, but I'm sure that you're fine. You've probably been practicing to hard."
"But I haven't been. That's what is so strange. I've barely done much magic this whole month." Ginny insisted.
McGonagall looked down at her with piercing eyes, "I said I would look into it Miss Weasley. You may go."
Ginny knew she was dismissed and left the room, furious. Why couldn't things just be simple for once?
Hermione had had the worst day. Professor Snape had been unbearable with insults left and right. He made her do the potion four times before letting her go. When it was finally over it was a little after noon and she was starving. Hermione also had a detention to look forward too. Oh the joy. She ate ravenously and headed to her room. She was exhausted from being on her feet for hours so she planned a little nap before her detention.
A little nap turned into almost seven hours. It was five minutes till seven when she woke up. She ran faster than she had ever run in her life. Hermione made it with one minutes to spare and Snape didn't comment on how out of breath she was.
"I want you to clean all the cauldrons from the first years lesson today. Get started and I will come get you when you've done enough. Maybe this will teach you not to be out after hours. You are not above school rules, Miss Granger."
Hermione felt her anger surge and she blurted, "I know I'm not above school rules Professor and I'm offended that you would think so!"
He raised one eyebrow in disbelief, "You obviously do or you wouldn't have spoken to me like that. Do you ever do what you're told?"
Hermione just glared at him, willing him to just go away. She was too tired to fight with him.
"I am speaking to you and I expect and answer." He said coldly. Hermione continued to ignore him and kept washing the cauldrons, her anger was building.
"You are insolent! What has possessed you? You've-
Hermione's anger broke then and the room went up in flames, shocking a small scream from her Professor. They were gone in the next second and Hermione was shaking from head to toe.
"I see. Do you feel better now?" Hermione nodded, still shocked from what had just happened.
"Sometimes it just builds up for no reason and has to be let out. I suspected that was your problem." He told her sounding very condescending.
"Well now that that's settled may I continue cleaning? I would like to be done before curfew, Sir."
Professor Snape stared at her for one moment before let out a laugh.
"You didn't seem to mind last night now did you?" He said, smirking just a little.
Hermione flushed and shook her head. "Yes, sir."
Why did she always blush around him? It was getting ridiculous.
"You've done enough, I think, you may go. We'll practice some more with fire tomorrow as well." He said calmly.
Hermione got to her feet and set the cauldron she was working on aside. She looked up at him with curious eyes. His face was a plain one with a bent nose and thin lips. She, however, didn't mind that at all. Startled by where those thoughts were leading she turned to leave before she could do or say anything horrible embarrassing.
She was on her way back to her room when she heard footsteps behind her, at first she didn't think anything of it, but the kept coming closer, and louder. She picked up her pace but still the footsteps were almost at a run. Hermione whirled around, wand at the ready. There was nothing there. She let out the breath she'd been holding and turned to go back to her room.
Ginny stood there smiling at her. Hermione screamed loud enough to hurt her own ears.
"Ginny! You scared me to death!" Hermione exclaimed but the smile never left Ginny's face.
Ginny reached out her hands and Hermione hesitated before taking them. Immediately she knew something was terribly wrong. Ginny intertwined their fingers and squeezed hard. Hermione screamed again as pain shot through her arms. She could feel the magic leaving her. Ginny's eyes were glowing green and black and she was whispering words Hermione didn't understand. Hermione started to feel dizzy and when Ginny finally let go she collapsed. The last thing she heard was Ginny's footsteps walking away slowly.
A/N: Reviews Please!