Chapter 9

A/N: Uh, guys? Do you only review a lot when there's this random Edward/Bella moment?

I got less reviews than the previous chapter.

Thus the late update.

Enjoy anyways.

Bella/Whitney's POV

"Merlin!" I exclaimed as I shot straight up from my lying position. I was sweating and breathing heavily. There was one hand that was holding down my shoulder and gray eyes boring right into my violet eyes.

"I see you've finally woken up Whitney," Luna said.

"Where am I?" I asked her.

"Why you're in the Owlery of course!" Luna said brightly. I looked around; true enough there were several birds with large eyes.

I groaned and she released her hand. I sat up and looked out the nearby window. It was dark outside, but eerily quiet.

"What time is it?" I asked. I couldn't seem to remember much of what happened.

"It's around11:30." Luna stated as she petted one of the owls.

"Why are you still up?"I asked her.

"I seem to have misplaced one of my shoes. I only noticed when I was going to the Ravenclaw Tower." Luna said "What about you?"

"All I remember is that I was in Dumbledore's office." I said while scratching my head.

"Oh yes, that makes a lot of sense." Luna laughed softly "Some people were claiming they saw you in the train but since you weren't in the Great Hall many people didn't believe that."

"Well," I shrugged "There were more important things than dinner at the time."

"Too bad, the pudding was quite delicious." Luna smiled at me.

"Maybe we should both go back." I stated.

"Yes, that would be wise." Luna nodded.

Together, we walked back to our respective towers, only separating when we neared the Great Hall.

It was scary again, when I was walking alone. I was afraid of something, I just didn't know what.

Whitney...

Whitney…

Whitney…

It was if the wind was whispering to me.

Whitney...

Whitney…

Whitney…

"Whitney!" a voice exclaimed and I screamed. I turned around to see Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Harry was holding the map and I understood that they were looking for me.

"We've been looking for you everywhere! We asked Professor McGonagall where you were but she said you already went back!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Where were you?" Ron asked curiously.

"I think Luna dragged me to the Owlery." I said. It was only now that I wondered how I actually ended up in the Owlery with just Luna.

"How come? Weren't you with Professor Dumbledore?" Harry asked.

"I was going back to the dormitory. I really don't know what happened after that."

Lord Voldemort knows all. Soon Whitney Black, you will be eliminated.

A deep voice whispered in my head and suddenly I remembered everything.

"Earth to Whitney!" Hermione exclaimed and I looked at her again.

"What's going on?" Ron asked.

Should I tell them? Perhaps I shouldn't, I don't exactly need to worry them more.

"Nothing," I lied "My head just hurts."

"We should go back." Hermione said.

"Mimbulus Mimbletonia."

"What are you kids doing out so late?" the Fat Lady yawned as she let us through.

"Let's go get some sleep." Hermione said and we separated to our respective dormitories.

Hermione and I entered the room we shared with Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. I was the only one still in my uniform so I got a blue tank top, a loose long-sleeved black cotton shirt, and white shorts. I went to the bathroom and washed up, quickly changing.

I left the bathroom to find Lavender and Hermione having a heated argument.

"I'm just saying Granger, there's no real proof that he's really fought You-Know-Who!" Lavender exclaimed.

"Harry doesn't lie!" Hermione exclaimed.

"I'm not saying he's a liar!" Lavender yelled.

"You're asking for proof?" I asked. Hermione and Lavender turned to me; Lavender's mouth was wide open.

"Wasn't Cedric Diggory's dead body proof enough?" I exclaimed.

"It was obviously just an accident." Lavender rolled her eyes.

"Who else other than Voldemort would use the killing curse on an innocent person?" I exclaimed. Both of them flinched at Voldemort's name and I rolled my eyes.

"He didn't get killed by a killing curse." Lavender said.

"He didn't have any evidence of real injuries that could kill him. There's no other way he could have been killed." Hermione stated.

"There's no proof!" Lavender exclaimed.

"SHUT YOUR BIG FAT MOUTH!" Hermione exclaimed and suddenly the room was dark.

I guess it's time to sleep huh?

Crazy Lavender.

And I wonder…was Parvati sleeping through the entire conversation?

"What's the matter?" Hermione asked Harry as we arrived in the common room. And then she suddenly got distracted when she saw something Fred and George posted on the bulletin board. She was arguing with Ron, she wanted to do something about it but obviously Ron didn't.

"What happened to you?" I raised an eyebrow at Harry.

"Seamus reckons Harry's lying about You-Know-Who." Ron said.

"Lavender too." Hermione said sadly and I rolled my eyes.

"Been having a chat with her about whether not I'm a lying, attention seeking prat, have you?" Harry said loudly.

"No. I told her to shut her big fat mouth." Hermione glared at Harry.

"Seriously Harry," I scoffed at him "A little trust would be appreciated."

And I know something in him changed because he looked at me sadly. He knew that trust was quite important to me. Especially after everything that happened between me and the Cullens.

"Sorry." Harry said in a low voice.

"I know." I sighed. We finally arrived at the Great Hall and took our seats. Well, more like the other three took their seats. I was confronted with none other than Draco Malfoy.

"So it's true huh," Draco said arrogantly "The blood traitor is back."

"Of course," I smirked "Is there a problem Malfoy?"

"Nah, I just find it amusing how you came out of hiding." Draco said. "Think it's safe now, huh Black?" He fake cooed.

"It's never safe when Voldemort is on the rise." I glared at him.

"Pity, you could have been great as a Death Eater you know." Draco folded his arms against his chest.

"Never." I spat.

"Of course, because you'll always be a blood traitor. A disgrace, to the family." He said.

"I'd rather be a traitor than become like you!" I hissed.

"Whatever you say," Draco continued smirking as he walked away.

I rolled my eyes. The nerve of him! To just come up to me and talk to me like that!

"Who was that, Be―" I cut Alice Cullen off.

"That, was Draco Malfoy." I turned to glare at him but he just smirked and raised his glass to me.

"Oh," Alice said and I stopped her once more from firing another question.

"In case you forgot, my name's Whitney. And, I'd appreciate it if you only talked to me when needed." I said and made my way to my friends at the Gryffindor table.

I watched her as she sighed and walk back to her family members. They were all lined up across the wall, near to the Gryffindor table. What the hell? They chose to watch from there, of all places?

"So, what do we have first?" I asked as I sat down.

"Where were you?" Hermione demanded.

"I just talked to Luna," I rolled my eyes "Gosh."

I looked at Luna who sat alone at the end of the Ravenclaw table. I smiled at her and nodded. She grinned back and went back to eating…whatever was on her plate.

It was only now that I recognized all the glances and whispers I was receiving. And every time I met the gossipers glances they would turn away in fear.

I laughed to myself, serves them right. These people should really mind their own business. I mean, who cares if I'm back?

"We have History of Magic first. And then Double Potions." Harry and Ron groaned and I nodded at Hermione.

"Thanks."

History of Magic was a breeze. Unlike most of us, I had enough smarts to use a quill that took down the notes for me. I stared at the board with a blank expression. I usually just studied with my notes anyways, it was easier.

Jasper was the one monitoring this class and I could understand why. He liked to learn about history. And weren't we learning about the Goblin and Giant wars? Right?

Pshh, like I would know.

As we left for Potions, Cho came up to Harry. I rolled my eyes. Seriously, again?

"Hello, Harry." She greeted.

"Hi." Harry greeted. I could see the blush on his face. I cocked my head to the side. He didn't like her, did he?

Harry and Cho were just making small talk until Ron butted in. It was something about the badge she was wearing. Ron seemed to be surprised that Cho was supporting the Tornados.

The bell ringed around Hogwarts but it only seems like Harry and I have acknowledged it. Ron and Hermione were arguing of course, nothing new.

"So Whitney," Harry started.

I looked up "Yeah?"

"Never mind." Harry looked away. What was wrong with him?

As we entered the dungeons, I saw that Esme, Edward, and Tanya were watching this class.

Yay! Note the obvious sarcasm.

"Settle down." Snape commanded and the class quieted down immediately. Then he went off talking about OWLs much like Professor Binns did before he started his lessons.

I dared to peek at the Cullens only to find Edward staring at me. I quickly looked away. Wouldn't want to cause trouble now of all times.

"Today, we are making the Draught of Peace. It will come out in your OWLs." Snape stated. I quickly copied down everything he said and everything that was on the board. I even put my quill that copied notes for me, just in case.

We all started and I followed whatever was in my notes, making sure to double check in my quill's notes.

"A light silver vapor should now be rising from your potion." Snape called.

My potion wasn't doing anything and I frowned. I was sure I got all the directions right! Maybe it just needs a stir…

I grinned as what looked like silver smoke emitted from my potion.

"Just in time, Miss Black. I see your arms are functioning properly." Snape said. I nodded at him and looked back to my potion.

After criticizing everyone who did bad, including Harry and Ron, he gave us homework and let us go.

Lunch and Divination passed quickly. Professor Trelawney admired my skills with the Dream Oracle. Unfortunately, I was paired up with Parvati who had a dream of kissing one boy after the other. I told her she would have 7 husbands, losing them because of a random unfortunate accident. Obviously, she wasn't happy with me. My dream was about a dark with a silver mist. Somehow, she was able to tell me that my soon, I would experience one of the darkest moments of my life.

Who knew Parvati was good in Divination?

Before I left though, Professor Trelawney said something strange to me. She told me that the book will come back to me. Was she talking about Deciphering What's Coming? I couldn't find it in time, I already had to leave for Hogwarts.

Right now, we were having Defense Against the Dark Arts. I wonder what this Umbridge lady was going to be like.

"Good Afternoon class." Professor Umbridge greeted as the class sat down.

"Afternoon." Some of the class greeted back. I didn't even bother.

"Now, that won't do! Again," Professor Umbridge placed her hands on her hips "Good Afternoon Class."

"Good Afternoon Professor." The whole class said.

"Now that wasn't too hard, was it?" Professor Umbridge smiled "Now wands away and quills out please."

She was saying something about the Ministry interfering with the DADA curriculum. I let my quill take down notes for me. Did she think that we would make some sort of army and fight against the Ministry? But then again, that isn't such a bad idea.

"I've got a query about your course aims." Hermione stated.

Umbridge raised her eyebrows "And what is your name?"

"Hermione Granger."

"Well Miss Granger, I think the course aims are very clear if you read them thoroughly." Professor Umbridge said. You could hear the fakeness of her sweet tone, she was obviously forcing it.

I scoffed. I've read through the course aims, this class was going to be more or less boring. We would just be reading. It's worse than when Lockhart taught! At least there was a bit more action.

"Do you have something to say Miss Black?" Umbridge asked me.

I smirked, so she knew who I was. Obviously, I proved to be a threat.

"I have nothing to say Ma'm!" I said in a fake sweet tone. She glared at me and returned her attention to Hermione.

"There's nothing written about using spells." Hermione stated.

"Using defensive spells?" Umbridge exclaimed "Why I can't imagine a situation which would require you to use a defensive spell Miss Granger. You surely aren't expecting to be attacked during class?"

The argument went on. Harry got in on it too, and I was very tempted to have a little input myself.

"─This is a lie." Umbridge finished. Oh and that got me all fired up.

"It's NOT a lie!" Harry and I exclaimed at the same time. I looked at him from the corner of my eye, he was obviously very frustrated now.

"Detention Mister Potter and Miss Black! Tomorrow evening, five o'clock." And I tuned out whatever else she was saying. How dare she put me in detention? I barely said anything!

This woman is simply crazy! She has no right to teach us! This crazy woman is gonna get us all killed! We won't know how to protect ourselves because of her!

Oh look, she's already sent Harry to Professor McGonagall.

"Is there anyone else who would like to say something?" Professor Umbridge glanced "Good. Now, about your OWLs─"

I raised my hand and stood up without waiting for her.

"And so if we get ourselves killed, it will be on your head right?" I asked.

"Why do you children think that you're all going to get killed? Haven't you been listening Miss Black? There is nothing out there!" Professor Umbridge exclaimed.

"Whitney," Hermione said, tugging on my robes.

"I don't care anymore, I've already got detention." I said and I looked around the room. I didn't notice that Rosalie was in here, a stony expression on her face.

"Voldemort is out there." I said. Many students in the room flinched and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Professor Umbridge and I had some kind of staring competition that lasted for at least 5 minutes.

"I'll see you in detention Miss Black. Class dismissed." Umbridge said. She was the first one to leave the room.

I just remained standing, not even moving. I told Hermione to go ahead and she did, although she hesitated a bit.

"Aren't you going to your next class?" Rosalie asked and I shrugged.

"Shouldn't you be gone now?" I asked.

It was her turn to shrug "I needed to talk to you."

"Then talk. Shoot." I said as I turned to face her. It was the first time in a long time that I directly looked at her face. I almost forgot how angelic it looked.

"Why do you think you're in danger?" she asked.

"Because Voldemort is out there and he wants me to be a part of his…group." I said "Dumbledore never told you?"

"No…" Rosalie said.

"Well, just remember to watch your back." I reminded her and left the room.

Wasn't this an interesting day.

A/N: So, this chapter is quite long. Well I think it is. Longer than the others at least.

Just a question guys, would you all be sad if I kill of a character here?

Thanks for reading. Don't forget to review!

I update faster if I get more reviews!