CHAPTER NINE- And So The Fun Begins
Over the next week, Sirius was acting extremely odd. He seemed extremely quiet, and subdued. Which made Harry worry big time. Checking his map, he saw the dot labeled Sirius heading through the passage to Honeydukes often.
When Remus was out during the full moon, Snape took over the job and once more he was positively awful.
Finally it was the Fall Ball. Harry wasn't going to go cause he couldn't (or wouldn't) find a date. "How do I look?" Ron asked, inspecting himself. He was wearing his deep brown robes that matched his eyes.
"Great." Harry muttered.
"Well. bye."
"Bye."
Ron went down the stairs and into the common room, waiting for Peggy who soon appeared wearing form-fitting deep forest green dress robes. Her hair had been pulled up in a bun on top of her head with a few curled tendrils hanging down on either side of her face.
"You look ravishing." Ron said, staring at her. Over the summer she had gotten a bit curvier.
"Thanks." Peggy said, blushing under his stare. "You look handsome."
"Thank you." He mumbled and took her arm. The two went down to the Great Hall's entrance where they saw Jasmine and Malfoy.
Jasmine was wearing form-fitting white dress robes with her hair pulled up in a tight bun on the top of her head. Ron goggled at her. Apparently, Harry hadn't seen her in those dress robes for if he had, he would of refused to let her go out.
Malfoy had finally gotten new dress robes. His were still black but without the high collar. "Hi guys." Jasmine said cheerfully.
"Hi Jasmine. Hi Draco." Peggy said.
"Hi Jasmine." Ron said, ignoring Malfoy.
Soon the great doors opened and they went in. The Hall was decorated the same as the last fall ball.
There were red, brown, yellow and mixes of all those colors of leaves drifting down from the ceiling. They disappeared as soon as they touched the ground. There were four live trees in each corner, with the fall leaf colors. Only this time they were four oaks instead of maple trees. There was a stack of bales of hay against part of one wall, with a few baskets of apples on it. The five tables were gone. Instead, around the four walls were round tables leaving a large dance area in the middle. Each table had a red or golden tablecloth on it with a small basket of either apples or leaves in the middle of them for centerpieces. The air even smelled of autumn, like the previous year.
Ron and Peggy sat at a table by themselves while Jasmine and Malfoy sat at another once, since Malfoy refused to sit with Ron. "He is such a smeghead." Ron grumbled.
"Oh shut up." Peggy said, looking around at the beautiful fallness.
"Hey look." Ron nodded at another table where Sirius, Remus and Emerin were gathered around, in one of the corners. Sirius was looking quite upset.
"My aunt never once mentioned she knew them. Sirius and Harry's parents, I mean." Peggy said, watching them. Sirius was wearing dark, dark midnight blue robes while Remus wore soft grayish blue robes and Emerin's dress robes were the color of fire when its blue. With her hair, it looked as if she was on fire.
"Sirius looks pretty perturbed." Ron said, glancing at his face.
"Yeah... I wonder how close he and my aunt were..." Peggy trailed off and shook her head, turning back to Ron. Then the feast began. When it was over, couples went out to the floor to dance. Ron and Peggy remained at their table, just watching everyone. They watched as Emerin tried to engage Sirius into dancing, and after he point-out refused, she and Remus whisked onto the dance floor.
"Why don't we go keep him company?" Ron suggested so the two made their way over to the table.
"Oh, hey kids. You look nice." Sirius said when they sat down.
"Thanks." They chorused.
"How come you're not dancing?" He asked.
"I detest dancing." Ron said.
"Ditto. How come you aren't?" Peggy asked.
"Don't feel like it." Sirius said with a shrug.
"Then I won't ask you." Said a soft voice from behind them. They all turned and saw Trixie standing there. Her hair had been clipped back with barrettes and she was wearing swishy blue dress robes, just two shades lighter then Sirius's.
"Aunt Trixie." Peggy said.
"Trixie? What are you doing here?" Sirius sputtered out, nearly falling backwards in his chair in surprise. "I thought you-I mean you said-when you had walked off-why did you-"
Trixie laughed and sat down. "Yes, well... I shouldn't of done that."
"Why did you?" Sirius asked quietly.
"I..." Trixie trailed off and glanced at Ron and Peggy.
"Er, c'mon Peg." Ron grabbed her and pulled her away.
"Ron! I want to hear what they're saying!" Peggy said.
"Peggy! It sounds really personal." Peggy folded her arms and stared at Ron. "Fine, whatever." They backtracked and ducked behind the oak tree barely a foot away from the two.
"I should of never left England." Trixie was saying.
"Its understandable why you did." Sirius replied.
"I am so sorry, Padfoot I... I can't believe how stupid I was. Believing you were the one who-who-" Trixie trailed off and blinked back tears.
"Pixie, its okay. I understand..." Sirius said, holding her hands.
"I just... it seemed to hit me you know? I mean... Lily and James being killed... then you supposedly the one to betray us and kill Wormtail and being sent to Azkaban... I just couldn't... I mean... it was..." Trixie burst into tears and Sirius pulled her close, hugging her. "I was stupid."
"No you weren't... Ember and Sapphire and Mac all left, too..."
"Sapphire...?! Sapphire left?!" Trixie shrieked, pulling back.
Sirius nodded and glanced over to where Remus and Emerin were dancing. "Yeah... Remus told me about a year ago..."
"Does he know why?" Trixie whispered.
"She left a note. All it said was she couldn't take it, she couldn't stay there after everything that had happened, and that she loved him very much and hoped one day he understand."
"How could she-oh my God, poor guy..." Trixie mumbled.
"Yeah well... that was a crazy, crazy week... he had told me everything. You know... first finding out about James and Lily... then hearing the news of me and Wormtail... and then Sapphire leaving, and you and Ember and Mac..."
With this Trixie burst into tears again. "I should of never left. I was such an idiot!!"
"Trixie stop beating yourself up. Its in the past and nothing you can do can change it." Sirius hugged her tightly again.
"I am so sorry... I should-I should of stayed..."
"Trixie..." The two sat there a moment, hugging, before they pulled apart. Sirius ran his hand down Trixie's cheek. "I have an idea... why don't we show these lolligaggers how to really dance?"
"Perfect idea, Padfoot." Trixie giggled.
She waited while Sirius ran up to the DJ and told the request. Swing music began playing and Sirius returned. "Shall we dance?"
"I'd love to." Trixie took his hand and the two went off onto the dance floor.
Ron and Peggy got out from behind the three and watched as the crowd formed a circle around the dancers as they swing danced.
"Crazy baby." Emerin giggled, she and Remus near Ron and Peggy.
"C'mon, Emerin, we can't let those two out-dance us!" Remus said.
"Now you're getting it!" Emerin giggled, dragging Remus onto the dance floor.
Everyone cheered as the two pairs began competing. "I wish Harry could of seen this!" Ron laughed as Sirius tossed Trixie in the air and caught her. "He's been worried about him."
"Go Remus!" Jasmine shouted, clapping her hands as he spun Emerin in a circle. The room was divided into two. One half cheering for Sirius and Trixie, the other for Remus and Emerin. Finally, the two couples collapsed to the ground, panting and grinning. "Oh man I haven't had so much fun for years...!" Emerin gasped, clutching her side.
"Me... either!" Remus said, grinning as he slowly got up. The four took bows at the cheering crowd and went to sit down.
"That was amazing you guys!" Jasmine said as they joined them (Malfoy scowling).
"Thanks... we always were great at swing dancing." Trixie said.
"A-hem... I seem to remember you two coming in third..." Remus said, grinning.
"Oh shut up." Sirius said, but he was grinning as well.
"Hey look, there's Hermione." Ron said, spotting Hermione at the other side of the room.
"Let's go say hi." So Ron and Peggy made their way over to her.
"Oh, hey guys." She said, smiling.
"Hey... where's your date?" Peggy asked.
"Right 'ere..." They turned and saw a thin, dark, sallow-skinned young wizard with a large nose and thick eyebrows.
"Krum?" Ron asked in shock.
"Here you go, Herm-Own-Ninny." Krum said, setting drinks down on the table.
"Thank you, Viktor." Hermione said, eyes sparkling as he sat down. "He's been practicing my first name." She added with a giggle.
"Vy don't you zit down?" Krum asked the two, staring at them.
"Sure." Ron and Peggy sat down.
"This is my friend, Peggy Morlins." Hermione said. "Peggy, this is Viktor Krum."
"Its nice to meet you." Peggy said, shaking his hand. "I've never personally been to any of your games but from everything I've heard you're amazingly talented."
"Thank you." Krum said, and slouched back in his chair. "It is nice to meet you, as vell."
"So... what are you doing here? In England, I mean." Ron asked.
"I am zeeing Herm-own-ninny." Krum said as if this were the most obvious thing.
"Ah, yes. Ofcourse." Ron muttered, glancing at Peggy. "Travel all the way from Bulgaria to visit Hermione." He added under his breath. Peggy kicked him.
"Haff you not told them?" Krum asked Hermione.
"Well... no..."
"Told us what?" Ron asked.
"Viktor and I are dating." Hermione said and Ron would of spit his drink out of he had drinking something.
"You WHAT?!"
"Ve are dating." Krum said, looking rather surly.
"Congratulations." Peggy said, glaring at Ron who was looking equally surly.
"Hermione..." Ron leaned over. "retain what I told you the summer of our fifth year." He hissed so only she heard it.
Hermione turned deep red. "Viktor is a wonderful guy." She hissed back then straightened up, smiling at him. "Viktor why don't we go dance?"
"Vhatever you want, Herm-own-ninny." Krum said and the pair went out onto the dance floor.
A lot of the girls were staring at him in amazement and glaring at Hermione. "I don't believe this..." Ron muttered.
"What, jealous of him?" Peggy giggled and Ron glared fiercely at her.
"Ofcourse not! I don't like Hermione, not in that way. Its just... Krum's a famous Quidditch player! He could have his selection of any girl in the entire world and he chooses Hermione?" Ron demanded.
"Oh yeah, how awful."
"What?" Ron demanded.
"I'm going to get something to drink." Peggy mumbled, getting up and going over to the table with the drinks on them.
Ron sat back in his chair, arms folded and a scowl on his face. "What's wrong?" He jerked as Professor Dumbledore appeared.
"Oh, good evening Professor."
"You don't look like you are having one. May I join you?"
"Sure." Ron said and Dumbledore sat at his table.
"What's wrong?" Dumbledore asked again.
"Nothing." Ron grumbled.
Peggy soon returned with her drink and sat back down. "Hullo, Professor Dumbledore."
"Hello, Miss Morlins." Dumbledore said with a smile.
"Professor Dumbledore." Professor Snape appeared.
"Yes, Severus?"
"May I have a word with you." He asked, glaring at the two Gryffindors.
"Certainly. Have a good evening, kids." He told them before leaving with Snape.
Ron and Peggy sat in silence, listening to the music for quite a few minutes. "So." Peggy said slowly.
"So." Ron echoed.
"So."
"So."
"So, a needle pulling thread... la, a note to follow to follow so... ti, a drink with jam and bread..." Peggy sang quietly and glanced at Ron. "er... sorry."
"You want to get out of here?" Ron asked.
"Sure. We're not doing anything." Peggy said with a shrug. The two got up and left the Great Hall, walking down the corridors.
"Peggy."
"Yeah?"
"Peggy."
"Yeah?"
Ron took a deep breath and stopped walking. "Peggy I need to talk to you."
"Talk." Peggy said, stopping as well.
"Listen... I..." He said slowly and nervously. "I.................... I......."
"Yes?" Peggy asked.
"Listen, Peggy, I.......... I.......... I........"
Peggy blinked and stared into his deep brown eyes. "Yeah?"
"I...... I..... I....."
"What is it?" Peggy demanded.
"I don't... I mean I.... er.... well see I......"
"Spit it out." Peggy said, folding her arms.
"Peggy... don't hurt me but... I really like you. I-I love you." He finally said.
"Oh." Peggy mumbled and started walking again.
"Well?" Ron asked, running over to her.
"Well what?" Peggy asked.
"Do you-I mean.... well do.... er, do you. ....do.... you...."
"Do I like you?" Peggy asked and Ron nodded. "Ron. ... I told you before. You're really sweet, and funny, and wonderful and cute... but...."
"But what?"
"But..." Peggy let out a heavy sigh. "I can't... I'm not.... as I said before, I am not worth it."
"Worth what?!" Ron demanded, stamping his foot.
"Everything you'd have to give up." Peggy said.
"What would I have to give up? Why?!" He demanded.
"I... just.... forget it. Okay?" Peggy kissed him on the lips and walked off. Ron stood there, kind of frozen for a moment then felt really bad again. she didn't like him...... and what was she talking about?!
*** (Hermione's point of view)
"I had a really good time, Viktor." I told him as we stood outside the castle.
"So did I, Herm-Own-Ninny." He said and I giggled. "Vill you be visiting for Christmas?" He asked.
"Probably." I said, brushing my hair from my face.
"I am glad." He said, smiling. I smiled back. "Do your vriends not like this?" He asked hesitantly after a moment.
"Well. I don't really think so." I admitted.
"Vhy not?"
"I don't know. they're just being weird and protective." I said with a shrug.
"Herm-Own-Ninny." He trailed off and leaned down and kissed me on the lips. And, unlike the first one he had given me, this one was not just a short peck. I felt myself sinking down slightly, my legs going weak so I reached up and held onto either side of his head. "I must be going." He said when he pulled away.
I slowly nodding, hardly able to breathe. "Will you come to the Halloween dance?" I asked.
"Ovcourse." He said, stroking my hair. He smiled and went down to the carriages. I waited till the carriage was out of sight. I turned and, sighing happily to myself, headed up to the Common Room.
"Hi Hermione." Harry said as I floated in.
"Hi." I said in a dreamy voice.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked.
"Yeah." I somehow managed, floating over to the couch and sitting down.
"Good for you." Muttered an angry voice. I blinked and saw Ron, sunk back deep into an armchair and an angry look over his face.
"What's wrong with you?" I asked.
"Nothing." He grumbled.
"Mm." I said quietly, staring into the fire. I sighed happily and sat back.
"You're certainly in a good mood." Ron said, glaring out from behind his bangs.
"I suppose I am. I better get to bed." I nodded goodnight to them and floated up the stairs, where Peggy was already dressed for bed.
"Hey Hermione. whoa, you're in a good mood." She said, putting her book up.
"Yeah." I said and got undressed.
"Anything. happen?" She asked. By the tone in her voice I could tell she suspected.
"Viktor kissed me." I said, getting into my nightdress and sitting at the vanity.
"Didn't he kiss you before?"
"Well. yes. but this one was longer and. much better." I sighed happily as I brushed my hair. "Do you know what's wrong with Ron?"
"Yeah." Peggy said quietly.
"What?" I asked, looking at her.
"He. well, he told me he loved me but I said. I told him we couldn't date."
"Oh?" I asked in slight surprise. Peggy wasn't the type of girl I expected Ron to go after. I expected someone more.. pretty. and.. curvy.... and pretty.
"Yeah. it wasn't the first time."
"It wasn't?"
"No." Peggy said slowly, obviously trying to decide whether or not to tell me. Finally she decided yes. "Last year he kissed me. Then later in the school year he told me he loved me."
"Ron kissed you." I said in slight disbelief.
"Yeah. Remember? When I wasn't talking to him for a while?"
"Oh, yeah." I said, realizing she hadn't said she didn't want to date him but she couldn't. I wondered what she meant by this.
"Well, night Hermione. Or should I saw Herm-Own-Ninny?" Peggy giggled. She ducked as I threw my pillow at her.
***
Voldemort paced in the white room, fingers linked together and thinking.
"How to get the boy out of Hogwarts." He told himself.
"I have an idea." Voldemort turned at the hissy voice of Jarxo, his new snake companion. His old one, Nagini, had disappeared.
"What is your idea?" Voldemort asked.
"I have a few friends. I can send them to Hogwarts. They can capture the boy and bring him here." Jarxo said.
"Oh brilliant idea." Voldemort hissed, glaring at the snake. "The only problem is. I sense a powerful force there. More powerful then before. And didn't you say there are GOOD snakes there? Ones that will protect him?"
"Well." Jarxo sputtered. "Yeah."
"Then I suggest you think of another idea. Get out of my sight." Voldemort sneered and the snake slithered off.
A part of his first idea had been smashed. he was going to persuade the giants to come to his side... and then he could of sent them to smash up Hogwarts, providing they left the boy alone. But no... that idiot... Dumbledore. had gotten the giants to go to the good side.
Voldemort sneered and went back to his throne. he sat down and glared around the white room. He had devised it to be white, to let himself and his throne stand out. He called for someone and the closest Death Eater entered the room.
"Yes my lord?" Ryan Lestrange asked, coming in.
"What do you think?" Voldemort asked, staring at him through red eyes.
"About the boy?"
"Of course."
"We have Severus at Hogwarts but he can't do anything under that old dodger's nose." Ryan said, arms folded.
"Correct." Voldemort sneered.
"And the ones the boy cares about the most are at Hogwarts, so we can't use them as bait." Ryan continued.
"Correct."
"I think...." Ryan said slowly, pondering over what to say. Say the wrong thing, and perhaps get killed. "The boy's biggest fear is Dementors. Right? From what Crouch said the Boggart turned into at the Triwizard tournament."
"Yes." Voldemort said, narrowing his eyes even more.
"Why don't we send them to Hogwarts?" He asked.
Voldemort looked at Ryan and slowly stood up. He raised his black scepter up and Ryan winced inward, trying not to show fear on the outside. "That is a very interesting idea, Ryan."
"Yes.?" Ryan asked slowly and hopefully.
"It might not get the boy, but they could do damage. Free to do the Dementor's kiss on whomever they please- except the boy, ofcourse, but I suspect Dumbledore will not want the boy in danger's way and will send him somewhere." Voldemort linked his fingers together and smiled, turning to Ryan. "I think its time you're promoted."
"Oh thank you my lord." Ryan said, bowing low.
Voldemort nodded for him to go, then turned to his throne, smiling evilly to himself.
*** (Ron's point of view)
We were assembled around the door that led to the Animagus classroom, all looking apprehensive---nervous. It was a large, large class since it consisted of every house. It was a couple hours after dinner, Monday the 30th.
We waited outside our classroom, wondering who our teacher would be. We didn't have to wonder for long, for soon a young man appeared. He had long, loose, floppy blacker then black hair, paler then pale skin, dark eyes and was tall and extremely thin. "Good evening." He said. He pushed past us and opened the door, letting us in. The classroom was large and darkish. There was no windows, but a few torches in brackets on the wall. There were a lot of desks and the floor was made out of a carpet of grass. Fireflies buzzed around the ceiling.
We piled into the room and sat at the desks, watching the teacher as he dropped a bunch of books on his desk. He looked at us, his eyes glittering in the low light. "I am Provezzor Lamia." He said with a thick Romanian accent, straightening the pile of books. "I vill be teaching you divvicult art of tranzviguring yourzelv into an animal. Yez Mizter Vinnigin?"
"Are you from Romania?" Seamus asked.
Professor Lamia's eyes glittered slightly. "Yez. I am." He straightened up and rested his hands on his desk. His skin glowing in the glittering lights. "Now zen. How many ov you 'ave zeen an Animaguz?"
Harry, Hermione, Peggy, me and a few others raised our hands after we worked out what he said. Lamia's eyes glittered again. "Zo, a good many ov you. vell, here iz a demonztration vor ze vezt ov you." He said and with a small pop, became a chirruping raccoon on his desk.
Most the class was extremely flabbergasted---er, surprised. I think they expected him to become a bat or something. Lamia returned to his normal self and sat back. "Vell. any queztionz?"
"Is it hard?" Terry Boots of Ravenclaw asked.
"Exztremely." Lamia said, pushing his hair from his eyes which continued to glitter.
"How long have you taught here?" Susan Bones of Hufflepuff asked.
"Two vears."
"I don't remember Dumbledore introducing you." Lavender Brown said.
"He deedn't. Zinze I only taught ze Zixth and Zeventh vears, I vazn't."
"What's it like??" Hannah Abbot of Hufflepuff asked.
"Being an animal?" Lamia asked and she nodded. "It iz very veird at virzt. At virzt ze animal mind iz very overvelming."
"Why did you choose to be a raccoon?" Ernie MacMillan asked nervously. He obviously voiced what the rest of us wanted to know and hopefully we'd understand the Professor's answer.
"I like zem. Zey are.... how you zay. ze bezt creature ov ze night. Very.... oh how you zay... my Eng-a-lij iz not very good.... oh... vat iz being ze vord?" Lamia demanded, looking upset. "Like a.... a... eazily moving.... er... eazily climbing..."
"Limber? Agile? Nimble?" Hermione asked.
"Yez! Zank you!" Lamia exclaimed. "Zey are being very leember and agile and neemble!" He looked relieved as he sat back. "Any ozer queztionz?" After no one said anything, or moved, Lamia continued. "Ve vill only be doing zome ztuding at virzt. ve vill not be even ztarted to even beegin trying to turn into animalz until next term." Lamia smiled, giving him an eerie appearance. "Now, iv you vould pleaze turn ze book, 'Animaguz Queztionz and Anzerz' and to chapter vone." He said and we all pulled out the book (Animagus Questions and Answers).
*** (Jasmine's point of view)
"Jasmine! Jasmine! Jasmine! Jasmine!!!!!"
"Hunga? Whaba in?" I asked, rolling over.
"Jaaaaasssssssssmmmmmiiiiiiiiinnnnneeeeeee!" I heard a voice whine.
"Whibbale?" I asked, rolling over again. I slowly opened my eyes and saw through the face of a distressed Jason.
"Jasmine!" He exclaimed. "Get UP! Hurrrrryyy!"
"Wazzamattr?" I moaned, slowly sitting up.
"Dementors!" He shrieked.
I rubbed my eyes, and slowly went to the window. I saw dozens upon dozens of tall, cloaked figures, floating across the lawns. "Dementors?" I asked, too sleepy to notice. "Wha?"
"Jasmine wake up." Jason said.
"I am wake." I mumbled, turning to blink at him.
"Jasmine!! DEMENTORS!" He screamed, waving his arms.
"Goodnight." I dived back into my bed and was about to fall asleep, when it hit me. "DEMENTORS!" I shrieked.
"Yes!" Jason said, exasperated.
"Jasmine, go back to sleep." Parvati mumbled from her bed.
"Dementors! Girls! Dementors!" I shrieked, flinging open their curtains. "I gotta wake the rest of the castle. Oh God this brings back memories." I flung myself out of the room, trying not to remember the previous Halloween when my mother's spirit had waken me up to warn me of a Death Eater raid. "Everyone wake up!" I screamed, running down the halls. I ran down the stairs and looked around. "WAKE UP!" I screamed and ran up the boys side. I ran into the sixth year dorm and began flinging curtains open.
"Jasmine!" Donnie shrieked, since he was sleeping in the nude.
"Harry?!" I yelled.
"Jasmine?" Harry said sleepily from behind one of the curtains. I flung it open and stared at him with wide eyes.
"Dementors. attack." I breathed, pointing at the window.
"What? Jasmine what are you talking about?" Harry demanded. I grabbed his arms and pulled him out of bed. He put up a slight struggle but finally we crashed back onto Ron's bed, waking him.
"Harry? Jasmine?" He asked, sleepily, sitting up.
"Dementors." I pushed Harry off of me and ran down the stairs. I ran out of the common room and like the previous year, proceeded to make as much noise as possible. Soon, Filch appeared with Mrs. Norris winding around his legs.
"What in blazes are you doing?" He demanded.
"Dementors!" I shrieked, pushing past him till I ran into McGonagall. "Dementors!" I yelled, clutching her robes.
"What?"
"This young lady is babbling on about something." Filch said.
"This babbling young lady gave us an early warning of a Death Eater raid last year, Mr. Filch." McGonagall said rather sharply. "Jasmine, just keep running about yelling. Yell teachers name." She told me and went off. I glared at Filch, and began running again.
"REMUS!" I screamed out. "SIRIUS! DEMENTOR ATTACK! EMERIN! PROFESSOR SPROUT! PROFESSOR FLITWICK! DEMENTORS! ATTACKING THE CASTLE! PROFESSOR SNAPE! PROFESSOR McGONAGA----- no wait she knows. PROFESSOR CONWAY! PLEASE! DEMENTOR ATTACK! PROFESSOR SINISTRA! ANY-" I ran head-on into Remus.
"Jasmine!!" He said, looking at me with tired and worried eyes. He was wearing bluish gray pajamas under his night robe.
"Remus..." I gasped, grabbing his arm. "Dementors..."
"Dementors....?"
"Yes." I said, breathing hard.
"You know where my office is?"
"Yes."
"Go there and stay there."
"But, Remus."
"Do you know the Patronus charm?" He asked.
"Yes." I said.
"You do?!"
"Yes. I learned it a while ago." I said.
Remus sighed and pushed back his hair. "Okay fine. come with me." He grabbed my arm and dragged me along the hall. "I still say you should wait in my office. Its my duty as your godfather to keep you protected but we'll need everyone who can fight Dementors to help." We ran through some more corridors (more like him running and me being dragged). Finally we got to a long corridor on the fourth floor, and to a portrait of a bunch of sleeping squirrels around and in a tree. "Wake up!" Remus yelled. One of the squirrels woke up and chirped angrily at him, raising its fists and waving it about. "Death to Rules." Remus said and I knew this had to be where Sirius's room was.
The squirrel, still yelling in squirrel-talk angrily, pulled a tree limb and the portrait opened, revealing a loose stone. Remus pressed it and a doorway appeared. Remus opened it and dragged me inside. "Sirius! SIRIUS!" He barked.
"Whazzit?" Sirius asked sleepily from the couch. I glanced at him confusion, and at the dark blue canopy bed. Sirius slowly sat up from the couch, rubbing his eyes. "What's going on??"
"Dementor attack." Remus said, gripping my arm so tightly I knew I'd have bruises.
"What?!" Sirius demanded, leaping from his couch.
'What's going on?" We looked as a sleepy face peered from the curtains. It was Peggy's aunt Trixie.
"Trixie what the hell are you doing here?" Remus demanded and glanced at Sirius who was flinging through his clothes.
"She didn't want to stay at the hotel anymore. ah!" Sirius said and pulled on a pair of jeans over his boxers.
"Yeah. Sure. Trixie there is a Dementor attack on the castle." Remus said.
"Oh my God!" Trixie closed the curtains and a few minutes later came out, with a dark green bathrobe over her pajamas.
Sirius, Trixie, Remus and I ran out from his room. Or rather, Remus dragged me. "I CAN walk!" I said, stumbling after him but Remus ignored me.
"I'll go get Emerin." Trixie said and dashed off, her sash flying behind her. Soon there was an announcement.
"ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS! THERE ARE DEMENTORS RAIDING THE CASTLE! ALL STUDENTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR COMMON ROOM, BUT THOSE WHO CAN DO THE PATRONUS SPELL PLEASE REPORT TO THE FRONT HALL! THIS INSTANT!" McGonagall's voice rang out.
Sirius and Remus ran down to the entrance hall, Remus dragging me. There were many confused teachers standing there, tying their robes around them tightly. Flitwick had a large sleeping cap on that threatened to completely cover his entire head.
"Who rang the alarm?" Professor Sinistra asked, gripping her wand.
"Jasmine here." Remus said, holding up my arm.
"You can let go now." I said but he continued to ignore me.
Soon, some students poured into the entrance hall, looking sleepy, pale and confused. "Harry!" Sirius said, glowering at him. "What are YOU doing here?!?!"
"He learned the Patronus charm in his Third year, Sirius." Remus said, still gripping my arm which was beginning to go numb. "I taught him."
"Thanks for informing me." Sirius grumbled.
"Aunt Trixie?" I saw Peggy was there, running her fingers through her hair. 'What're you doing here?"
"No time to chat." Trixie said as she and Emerin appeared.
Soon everyone in the castle who could do the Patronus charm, was in the entrance hall. Dumbledore stood at the front, wand in hand. "Let's go." He said and flung the doors open.
Coldness filled the entrance hall, and it was not just from the night air. We crowded outside and began flinging the charm at the Dementors. Luckily Remus was gripping my left arm not my right. He switched to gripping it with his left so he could use his right. I brought up my most happiest memory. Harry...... real family, not adopted.... Remus- a godfather..... Harry and Remus.... Harry and Remus..... I thought and aimed my wand. "Expecto Patronum!" Silvery light shot out from my wand and formed my Patronus. A largish house cat. Around it, other Patronus' took form. A large grizzly bear. a phoenix. a stag. a fox. a Clydesdale horse.
Sadness slowly began filling me. my worst memories taking shape.
'Jasmine. you're adopted.' 'I'm not your real daughter??' 'No.'
No! Fight it!
Harry. Remus. Draco! Wonderful, sweet Draco.
'Stay away from her. She talks to things no one else can see. She's a freak. Says she's talking to dead people.'
Draco is the most wonderful boyfriend a girl could have! You'll see him in the morning.
'Jasmine is a freak! She's weird! Don't talk to her.' 'Jasmine. you're adopted.' 'What a WEIRD girl!! Stay away from her. 'You're adopted.' 'Loser! Freak!'
I fought back my tears and continued fighting the Dementors. I felt sadness. coldness filling up inside of me. 'No! Jasmine fight it! You have a wonderful boyfriend, a real brother and a godfather! Think of them. Think of Harry! Draco! Remus!'
I felt myself slowly sinking to my knees. From beside me, Remus was still standing tall, gripping my arm. "Jasmine don't give in." He whispered.
Suddenly, a real phoenix swooped overhead and began singing. A new strength built up into me. I slowly straightened up and kept a sturdy grip on my wand. My house-cat Patronus was hissing angrily around a Dementor and clawing at it, fighting with the help of the stag. For some reason, the cat and stag seemed right together.
The phoenix song seemed to fill everyone with a new strength and the Patronus' charged more fiercely at the Dementors. Finally, the ones that were left, retreated quickly.
Then everything went black as I collapsed to the ground.
*** (Hermione's point of view)
Ron and I sat in the hospital wing, watching Harry, Jasmine and Peggy, all unconscious. I looked around at everyone else in the hospital. Mainly seventh years but a few sixth years and even a fifth year.
"Hello." Professor Dumbledore entered the room looking extremely, extremely grave.
"Hello, Professor." Ron and I chorused, sitting back.
"There they are, and I assure you they are perfectly fine." Dumbledore said. Sirius, Remus and Trixie ran into the room. Sirius went to Harry's bed, Remus to Jasmine and Trixie to Peggy's.
"I can't have everyone crowding about the beds, bothering the patients." Madame Pomfrey huffed.
"Yeah they look real bothered." Emerin had come in, eyes narrowed. "Is it true, Albus?"
"Yes it is, Emerin."
"Is what true?" I asked.
"I'll bet Fudge is going to be having a nice time when he hears about this." Emerin said, pulling out a bottle of Butterbeer and chugging some down.
"That little --- deserves restless nights knowing that things like this are going to happen because of him. I'm just glad we reached the giants before Voldemort did." Sirius said, staring down into Harry's pale face.
"Jasmine!" Malfoy ran into the wing and stared at Jasmine. "Is she. is she okay??" He whispered, staring at Pomfrey with wide eyes.
"She will be fine if she can just get rest." Pomfrey said, glaring about the room.
"Poppy my dear, they are all unconscious. They need to wake up." Dumbledore said and sat down.
Pomfrey scowled. "Albus. this is MY hospital-"
"In MY school." Dumbledore pointed out and laced his long fingers together.
"But all the same, Professor, it is MY hospital wing and-"
"My dear Poppy. what these kids need is to be awoken up."
"But-"
"Poppy."
Pomfrey scowled and went off to do something. I hid my giggles and turned back down to look at Harry. A few moments later, he stirred and fumbled for his glasses. Sirius handed them to him and he slid them on, slowly sitting up. "What happened?" He asked slowly, looking around in confusion.
"The Dementors? Last night?" Sirius asked.
"Oh. yeah." Harry said slowly and rubbed his head. "Jasmine?" He asked, glancing at her bed. "Peggy?"
"They'll be awake soon enough." Dumbledore said.
"Hello, Professor." Harry said.
Pomfrey then closed the curtains around his bed and tended to him.
*** (Peggy's point of view)
I sipped the hot cocoa, feeling the warmth spreading through my body. "You feeling better?" Ron asked, hand on my arm.
"Yeah." I said, half-wanting to shrug Ron's hand off, the other half wanting for his hand to stay there. My more sensible half took over and I pulled my arm away.
"You never told me you knew the Patronus charm." Harry was telling Jasmine.
"You never told me you knew." Jasmine replied.
"Er.... yeah.... well....I'm older!"
"I'm the same year as you, Harry."
"I'm still older." Harry glanced at me. "You know the Patronus charm, too."
"Yeah. Had to learn it a while ago."
"Had to?" He asked.
"Well. yes." I said.
"How come?"
"Well. that isn't important." I informed them and sat back in the chair.
"Guys!" Seamus Finnigin ran in the room.
"What?" We asked. He looked extremely breathless.
"I just found out-" He said, gasping for air, "that a student-was-had been.... in the attack.... been given... the kiss...." He managed.
We all leapt to our feet. "What?!"
"A student.... in the attack.... Dementors kiss..." He managed, leaning against a chair. "I just found out..... seems the parents have sent... a Howler. ...to Fudge." Seamus said.
"Good." Harry said, not believing that. that a student. "What student?" He asked, rather nervously.
"Seventh year Ravenclaw. dunno her name." Seamus breathed.
"Not Cho Chang?!"
"No. another girl. not Cho." Seamus said and looked ready to collapse. Obviously he had run a long way. I jumped up and pushed him in my chair, handing him another cup of cocoa. "Thank you." He said and gulped it down.
"I'll be back." Harry dashed out of the Common Room.
"Oh gosh." Hermione whispered, shaking her head.
"And so the fun the begins." Ron mumbled.
"I need to go write a letter." I said, grabbing my backpack. "See ya." I muttered and ran out of the Common Room and headed to the Owlry.
Over the next week, Sirius was acting extremely odd. He seemed extremely quiet, and subdued. Which made Harry worry big time. Checking his map, he saw the dot labeled Sirius heading through the passage to Honeydukes often.
When Remus was out during the full moon, Snape took over the job and once more he was positively awful.
Finally it was the Fall Ball. Harry wasn't going to go cause he couldn't (or wouldn't) find a date. "How do I look?" Ron asked, inspecting himself. He was wearing his deep brown robes that matched his eyes.
"Great." Harry muttered.
"Well. bye."
"Bye."
Ron went down the stairs and into the common room, waiting for Peggy who soon appeared wearing form-fitting deep forest green dress robes. Her hair had been pulled up in a bun on top of her head with a few curled tendrils hanging down on either side of her face.
"You look ravishing." Ron said, staring at her. Over the summer she had gotten a bit curvier.
"Thanks." Peggy said, blushing under his stare. "You look handsome."
"Thank you." He mumbled and took her arm. The two went down to the Great Hall's entrance where they saw Jasmine and Malfoy.
Jasmine was wearing form-fitting white dress robes with her hair pulled up in a tight bun on the top of her head. Ron goggled at her. Apparently, Harry hadn't seen her in those dress robes for if he had, he would of refused to let her go out.
Malfoy had finally gotten new dress robes. His were still black but without the high collar. "Hi guys." Jasmine said cheerfully.
"Hi Jasmine. Hi Draco." Peggy said.
"Hi Jasmine." Ron said, ignoring Malfoy.
Soon the great doors opened and they went in. The Hall was decorated the same as the last fall ball.
There were red, brown, yellow and mixes of all those colors of leaves drifting down from the ceiling. They disappeared as soon as they touched the ground. There were four live trees in each corner, with the fall leaf colors. Only this time they were four oaks instead of maple trees. There was a stack of bales of hay against part of one wall, with a few baskets of apples on it. The five tables were gone. Instead, around the four walls were round tables leaving a large dance area in the middle. Each table had a red or golden tablecloth on it with a small basket of either apples or leaves in the middle of them for centerpieces. The air even smelled of autumn, like the previous year.
Ron and Peggy sat at a table by themselves while Jasmine and Malfoy sat at another once, since Malfoy refused to sit with Ron. "He is such a smeghead." Ron grumbled.
"Oh shut up." Peggy said, looking around at the beautiful fallness.
"Hey look." Ron nodded at another table where Sirius, Remus and Emerin were gathered around, in one of the corners. Sirius was looking quite upset.
"My aunt never once mentioned she knew them. Sirius and Harry's parents, I mean." Peggy said, watching them. Sirius was wearing dark, dark midnight blue robes while Remus wore soft grayish blue robes and Emerin's dress robes were the color of fire when its blue. With her hair, it looked as if she was on fire.
"Sirius looks pretty perturbed." Ron said, glancing at his face.
"Yeah... I wonder how close he and my aunt were..." Peggy trailed off and shook her head, turning back to Ron. Then the feast began. When it was over, couples went out to the floor to dance. Ron and Peggy remained at their table, just watching everyone. They watched as Emerin tried to engage Sirius into dancing, and after he point-out refused, she and Remus whisked onto the dance floor.
"Why don't we go keep him company?" Ron suggested so the two made their way over to the table.
"Oh, hey kids. You look nice." Sirius said when they sat down.
"Thanks." They chorused.
"How come you're not dancing?" He asked.
"I detest dancing." Ron said.
"Ditto. How come you aren't?" Peggy asked.
"Don't feel like it." Sirius said with a shrug.
"Then I won't ask you." Said a soft voice from behind them. They all turned and saw Trixie standing there. Her hair had been clipped back with barrettes and she was wearing swishy blue dress robes, just two shades lighter then Sirius's.
"Aunt Trixie." Peggy said.
"Trixie? What are you doing here?" Sirius sputtered out, nearly falling backwards in his chair in surprise. "I thought you-I mean you said-when you had walked off-why did you-"
Trixie laughed and sat down. "Yes, well... I shouldn't of done that."
"Why did you?" Sirius asked quietly.
"I..." Trixie trailed off and glanced at Ron and Peggy.
"Er, c'mon Peg." Ron grabbed her and pulled her away.
"Ron! I want to hear what they're saying!" Peggy said.
"Peggy! It sounds really personal." Peggy folded her arms and stared at Ron. "Fine, whatever." They backtracked and ducked behind the oak tree barely a foot away from the two.
"I should of never left England." Trixie was saying.
"Its understandable why you did." Sirius replied.
"I am so sorry, Padfoot I... I can't believe how stupid I was. Believing you were the one who-who-" Trixie trailed off and blinked back tears.
"Pixie, its okay. I understand..." Sirius said, holding her hands.
"I just... it seemed to hit me you know? I mean... Lily and James being killed... then you supposedly the one to betray us and kill Wormtail and being sent to Azkaban... I just couldn't... I mean... it was..." Trixie burst into tears and Sirius pulled her close, hugging her. "I was stupid."
"No you weren't... Ember and Sapphire and Mac all left, too..."
"Sapphire...?! Sapphire left?!" Trixie shrieked, pulling back.
Sirius nodded and glanced over to where Remus and Emerin were dancing. "Yeah... Remus told me about a year ago..."
"Does he know why?" Trixie whispered.
"She left a note. All it said was she couldn't take it, she couldn't stay there after everything that had happened, and that she loved him very much and hoped one day he understand."
"How could she-oh my God, poor guy..." Trixie mumbled.
"Yeah well... that was a crazy, crazy week... he had told me everything. You know... first finding out about James and Lily... then hearing the news of me and Wormtail... and then Sapphire leaving, and you and Ember and Mac..."
With this Trixie burst into tears again. "I should of never left. I was such an idiot!!"
"Trixie stop beating yourself up. Its in the past and nothing you can do can change it." Sirius hugged her tightly again.
"I am so sorry... I should-I should of stayed..."
"Trixie..." The two sat there a moment, hugging, before they pulled apart. Sirius ran his hand down Trixie's cheek. "I have an idea... why don't we show these lolligaggers how to really dance?"
"Perfect idea, Padfoot." Trixie giggled.
She waited while Sirius ran up to the DJ and told the request. Swing music began playing and Sirius returned. "Shall we dance?"
"I'd love to." Trixie took his hand and the two went off onto the dance floor.
Ron and Peggy got out from behind the three and watched as the crowd formed a circle around the dancers as they swing danced.
"Crazy baby." Emerin giggled, she and Remus near Ron and Peggy.
"C'mon, Emerin, we can't let those two out-dance us!" Remus said.
"Now you're getting it!" Emerin giggled, dragging Remus onto the dance floor.
Everyone cheered as the two pairs began competing. "I wish Harry could of seen this!" Ron laughed as Sirius tossed Trixie in the air and caught her. "He's been worried about him."
"Go Remus!" Jasmine shouted, clapping her hands as he spun Emerin in a circle. The room was divided into two. One half cheering for Sirius and Trixie, the other for Remus and Emerin. Finally, the two couples collapsed to the ground, panting and grinning. "Oh man I haven't had so much fun for years...!" Emerin gasped, clutching her side.
"Me... either!" Remus said, grinning as he slowly got up. The four took bows at the cheering crowd and went to sit down.
"That was amazing you guys!" Jasmine said as they joined them (Malfoy scowling).
"Thanks... we always were great at swing dancing." Trixie said.
"A-hem... I seem to remember you two coming in third..." Remus said, grinning.
"Oh shut up." Sirius said, but he was grinning as well.
"Hey look, there's Hermione." Ron said, spotting Hermione at the other side of the room.
"Let's go say hi." So Ron and Peggy made their way over to her.
"Oh, hey guys." She said, smiling.
"Hey... where's your date?" Peggy asked.
"Right 'ere..." They turned and saw a thin, dark, sallow-skinned young wizard with a large nose and thick eyebrows.
"Krum?" Ron asked in shock.
"Here you go, Herm-Own-Ninny." Krum said, setting drinks down on the table.
"Thank you, Viktor." Hermione said, eyes sparkling as he sat down. "He's been practicing my first name." She added with a giggle.
"Vy don't you zit down?" Krum asked the two, staring at them.
"Sure." Ron and Peggy sat down.
"This is my friend, Peggy Morlins." Hermione said. "Peggy, this is Viktor Krum."
"Its nice to meet you." Peggy said, shaking his hand. "I've never personally been to any of your games but from everything I've heard you're amazingly talented."
"Thank you." Krum said, and slouched back in his chair. "It is nice to meet you, as vell."
"So... what are you doing here? In England, I mean." Ron asked.
"I am zeeing Herm-own-ninny." Krum said as if this were the most obvious thing.
"Ah, yes. Ofcourse." Ron muttered, glancing at Peggy. "Travel all the way from Bulgaria to visit Hermione." He added under his breath. Peggy kicked him.
"Haff you not told them?" Krum asked Hermione.
"Well... no..."
"Told us what?" Ron asked.
"Viktor and I are dating." Hermione said and Ron would of spit his drink out of he had drinking something.
"You WHAT?!"
"Ve are dating." Krum said, looking rather surly.
"Congratulations." Peggy said, glaring at Ron who was looking equally surly.
"Hermione..." Ron leaned over. "retain what I told you the summer of our fifth year." He hissed so only she heard it.
Hermione turned deep red. "Viktor is a wonderful guy." She hissed back then straightened up, smiling at him. "Viktor why don't we go dance?"
"Vhatever you want, Herm-own-ninny." Krum said and the pair went out onto the dance floor.
A lot of the girls were staring at him in amazement and glaring at Hermione. "I don't believe this..." Ron muttered.
"What, jealous of him?" Peggy giggled and Ron glared fiercely at her.
"Ofcourse not! I don't like Hermione, not in that way. Its just... Krum's a famous Quidditch player! He could have his selection of any girl in the entire world and he chooses Hermione?" Ron demanded.
"Oh yeah, how awful."
"What?" Ron demanded.
"I'm going to get something to drink." Peggy mumbled, getting up and going over to the table with the drinks on them.
Ron sat back in his chair, arms folded and a scowl on his face. "What's wrong?" He jerked as Professor Dumbledore appeared.
"Oh, good evening Professor."
"You don't look like you are having one. May I join you?"
"Sure." Ron said and Dumbledore sat at his table.
"What's wrong?" Dumbledore asked again.
"Nothing." Ron grumbled.
Peggy soon returned with her drink and sat back down. "Hullo, Professor Dumbledore."
"Hello, Miss Morlins." Dumbledore said with a smile.
"Professor Dumbledore." Professor Snape appeared.
"Yes, Severus?"
"May I have a word with you." He asked, glaring at the two Gryffindors.
"Certainly. Have a good evening, kids." He told them before leaving with Snape.
Ron and Peggy sat in silence, listening to the music for quite a few minutes. "So." Peggy said slowly.
"So." Ron echoed.
"So."
"So."
"So, a needle pulling thread... la, a note to follow to follow so... ti, a drink with jam and bread..." Peggy sang quietly and glanced at Ron. "er... sorry."
"You want to get out of here?" Ron asked.
"Sure. We're not doing anything." Peggy said with a shrug. The two got up and left the Great Hall, walking down the corridors.
"Peggy."
"Yeah?"
"Peggy."
"Yeah?"
Ron took a deep breath and stopped walking. "Peggy I need to talk to you."
"Talk." Peggy said, stopping as well.
"Listen... I..." He said slowly and nervously. "I.................... I......."
"Yes?" Peggy asked.
"Listen, Peggy, I.......... I.......... I........"
Peggy blinked and stared into his deep brown eyes. "Yeah?"
"I...... I..... I....."
"What is it?" Peggy demanded.
"I don't... I mean I.... er.... well see I......"
"Spit it out." Peggy said, folding her arms.
"Peggy... don't hurt me but... I really like you. I-I love you." He finally said.
"Oh." Peggy mumbled and started walking again.
"Well?" Ron asked, running over to her.
"Well what?" Peggy asked.
"Do you-I mean.... well do.... er, do you. ....do.... you...."
"Do I like you?" Peggy asked and Ron nodded. "Ron. ... I told you before. You're really sweet, and funny, and wonderful and cute... but...."
"But what?"
"But..." Peggy let out a heavy sigh. "I can't... I'm not.... as I said before, I am not worth it."
"Worth what?!" Ron demanded, stamping his foot.
"Everything you'd have to give up." Peggy said.
"What would I have to give up? Why?!" He demanded.
"I... just.... forget it. Okay?" Peggy kissed him on the lips and walked off. Ron stood there, kind of frozen for a moment then felt really bad again. she didn't like him...... and what was she talking about?!
*** (Hermione's point of view)
"I had a really good time, Viktor." I told him as we stood outside the castle.
"So did I, Herm-Own-Ninny." He said and I giggled. "Vill you be visiting for Christmas?" He asked.
"Probably." I said, brushing my hair from my face.
"I am glad." He said, smiling. I smiled back. "Do your vriends not like this?" He asked hesitantly after a moment.
"Well. I don't really think so." I admitted.
"Vhy not?"
"I don't know. they're just being weird and protective." I said with a shrug.
"Herm-Own-Ninny." He trailed off and leaned down and kissed me on the lips. And, unlike the first one he had given me, this one was not just a short peck. I felt myself sinking down slightly, my legs going weak so I reached up and held onto either side of his head. "I must be going." He said when he pulled away.
I slowly nodding, hardly able to breathe. "Will you come to the Halloween dance?" I asked.
"Ovcourse." He said, stroking my hair. He smiled and went down to the carriages. I waited till the carriage was out of sight. I turned and, sighing happily to myself, headed up to the Common Room.
"Hi Hermione." Harry said as I floated in.
"Hi." I said in a dreamy voice.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked.
"Yeah." I somehow managed, floating over to the couch and sitting down.
"Good for you." Muttered an angry voice. I blinked and saw Ron, sunk back deep into an armchair and an angry look over his face.
"What's wrong with you?" I asked.
"Nothing." He grumbled.
"Mm." I said quietly, staring into the fire. I sighed happily and sat back.
"You're certainly in a good mood." Ron said, glaring out from behind his bangs.
"I suppose I am. I better get to bed." I nodded goodnight to them and floated up the stairs, where Peggy was already dressed for bed.
"Hey Hermione. whoa, you're in a good mood." She said, putting her book up.
"Yeah." I said and got undressed.
"Anything. happen?" She asked. By the tone in her voice I could tell she suspected.
"Viktor kissed me." I said, getting into my nightdress and sitting at the vanity.
"Didn't he kiss you before?"
"Well. yes. but this one was longer and. much better." I sighed happily as I brushed my hair. "Do you know what's wrong with Ron?"
"Yeah." Peggy said quietly.
"What?" I asked, looking at her.
"He. well, he told me he loved me but I said. I told him we couldn't date."
"Oh?" I asked in slight surprise. Peggy wasn't the type of girl I expected Ron to go after. I expected someone more.. pretty. and.. curvy.... and pretty.
"Yeah. it wasn't the first time."
"It wasn't?"
"No." Peggy said slowly, obviously trying to decide whether or not to tell me. Finally she decided yes. "Last year he kissed me. Then later in the school year he told me he loved me."
"Ron kissed you." I said in slight disbelief.
"Yeah. Remember? When I wasn't talking to him for a while?"
"Oh, yeah." I said, realizing she hadn't said she didn't want to date him but she couldn't. I wondered what she meant by this.
"Well, night Hermione. Or should I saw Herm-Own-Ninny?" Peggy giggled. She ducked as I threw my pillow at her.
***
Voldemort paced in the white room, fingers linked together and thinking.
"How to get the boy out of Hogwarts." He told himself.
"I have an idea." Voldemort turned at the hissy voice of Jarxo, his new snake companion. His old one, Nagini, had disappeared.
"What is your idea?" Voldemort asked.
"I have a few friends. I can send them to Hogwarts. They can capture the boy and bring him here." Jarxo said.
"Oh brilliant idea." Voldemort hissed, glaring at the snake. "The only problem is. I sense a powerful force there. More powerful then before. And didn't you say there are GOOD snakes there? Ones that will protect him?"
"Well." Jarxo sputtered. "Yeah."
"Then I suggest you think of another idea. Get out of my sight." Voldemort sneered and the snake slithered off.
A part of his first idea had been smashed. he was going to persuade the giants to come to his side... and then he could of sent them to smash up Hogwarts, providing they left the boy alone. But no... that idiot... Dumbledore. had gotten the giants to go to the good side.
Voldemort sneered and went back to his throne. he sat down and glared around the white room. He had devised it to be white, to let himself and his throne stand out. He called for someone and the closest Death Eater entered the room.
"Yes my lord?" Ryan Lestrange asked, coming in.
"What do you think?" Voldemort asked, staring at him through red eyes.
"About the boy?"
"Of course."
"We have Severus at Hogwarts but he can't do anything under that old dodger's nose." Ryan said, arms folded.
"Correct." Voldemort sneered.
"And the ones the boy cares about the most are at Hogwarts, so we can't use them as bait." Ryan continued.
"Correct."
"I think...." Ryan said slowly, pondering over what to say. Say the wrong thing, and perhaps get killed. "The boy's biggest fear is Dementors. Right? From what Crouch said the Boggart turned into at the Triwizard tournament."
"Yes." Voldemort said, narrowing his eyes even more.
"Why don't we send them to Hogwarts?" He asked.
Voldemort looked at Ryan and slowly stood up. He raised his black scepter up and Ryan winced inward, trying not to show fear on the outside. "That is a very interesting idea, Ryan."
"Yes.?" Ryan asked slowly and hopefully.
"It might not get the boy, but they could do damage. Free to do the Dementor's kiss on whomever they please- except the boy, ofcourse, but I suspect Dumbledore will not want the boy in danger's way and will send him somewhere." Voldemort linked his fingers together and smiled, turning to Ryan. "I think its time you're promoted."
"Oh thank you my lord." Ryan said, bowing low.
Voldemort nodded for him to go, then turned to his throne, smiling evilly to himself.
*** (Ron's point of view)
We were assembled around the door that led to the Animagus classroom, all looking apprehensive---nervous. It was a large, large class since it consisted of every house. It was a couple hours after dinner, Monday the 30th.
We waited outside our classroom, wondering who our teacher would be. We didn't have to wonder for long, for soon a young man appeared. He had long, loose, floppy blacker then black hair, paler then pale skin, dark eyes and was tall and extremely thin. "Good evening." He said. He pushed past us and opened the door, letting us in. The classroom was large and darkish. There was no windows, but a few torches in brackets on the wall. There were a lot of desks and the floor was made out of a carpet of grass. Fireflies buzzed around the ceiling.
We piled into the room and sat at the desks, watching the teacher as he dropped a bunch of books on his desk. He looked at us, his eyes glittering in the low light. "I am Provezzor Lamia." He said with a thick Romanian accent, straightening the pile of books. "I vill be teaching you divvicult art of tranzviguring yourzelv into an animal. Yez Mizter Vinnigin?"
"Are you from Romania?" Seamus asked.
Professor Lamia's eyes glittered slightly. "Yez. I am." He straightened up and rested his hands on his desk. His skin glowing in the glittering lights. "Now zen. How many ov you 'ave zeen an Animaguz?"
Harry, Hermione, Peggy, me and a few others raised our hands after we worked out what he said. Lamia's eyes glittered again. "Zo, a good many ov you. vell, here iz a demonztration vor ze vezt ov you." He said and with a small pop, became a chirruping raccoon on his desk.
Most the class was extremely flabbergasted---er, surprised. I think they expected him to become a bat or something. Lamia returned to his normal self and sat back. "Vell. any queztionz?"
"Is it hard?" Terry Boots of Ravenclaw asked.
"Exztremely." Lamia said, pushing his hair from his eyes which continued to glitter.
"How long have you taught here?" Susan Bones of Hufflepuff asked.
"Two vears."
"I don't remember Dumbledore introducing you." Lavender Brown said.
"He deedn't. Zinze I only taught ze Zixth and Zeventh vears, I vazn't."
"What's it like??" Hannah Abbot of Hufflepuff asked.
"Being an animal?" Lamia asked and she nodded. "It iz very veird at virzt. At virzt ze animal mind iz very overvelming."
"Why did you choose to be a raccoon?" Ernie MacMillan asked nervously. He obviously voiced what the rest of us wanted to know and hopefully we'd understand the Professor's answer.
"I like zem. Zey are.... how you zay. ze bezt creature ov ze night. Very.... oh how you zay... my Eng-a-lij iz not very good.... oh... vat iz being ze vord?" Lamia demanded, looking upset. "Like a.... a... eazily moving.... er... eazily climbing..."
"Limber? Agile? Nimble?" Hermione asked.
"Yez! Zank you!" Lamia exclaimed. "Zey are being very leember and agile and neemble!" He looked relieved as he sat back. "Any ozer queztionz?" After no one said anything, or moved, Lamia continued. "Ve vill only be doing zome ztuding at virzt. ve vill not be even ztarted to even beegin trying to turn into animalz until next term." Lamia smiled, giving him an eerie appearance. "Now, iv you vould pleaze turn ze book, 'Animaguz Queztionz and Anzerz' and to chapter vone." He said and we all pulled out the book (Animagus Questions and Answers).
*** (Jasmine's point of view)
"Jasmine! Jasmine! Jasmine! Jasmine!!!!!"
"Hunga? Whaba in?" I asked, rolling over.
"Jaaaaasssssssssmmmmmiiiiiiiiinnnnneeeeeee!" I heard a voice whine.
"Whibbale?" I asked, rolling over again. I slowly opened my eyes and saw through the face of a distressed Jason.
"Jasmine!" He exclaimed. "Get UP! Hurrrrryyy!"
"Wazzamattr?" I moaned, slowly sitting up.
"Dementors!" He shrieked.
I rubbed my eyes, and slowly went to the window. I saw dozens upon dozens of tall, cloaked figures, floating across the lawns. "Dementors?" I asked, too sleepy to notice. "Wha?"
"Jasmine wake up." Jason said.
"I am wake." I mumbled, turning to blink at him.
"Jasmine!! DEMENTORS!" He screamed, waving his arms.
"Goodnight." I dived back into my bed and was about to fall asleep, when it hit me. "DEMENTORS!" I shrieked.
"Yes!" Jason said, exasperated.
"Jasmine, go back to sleep." Parvati mumbled from her bed.
"Dementors! Girls! Dementors!" I shrieked, flinging open their curtains. "I gotta wake the rest of the castle. Oh God this brings back memories." I flung myself out of the room, trying not to remember the previous Halloween when my mother's spirit had waken me up to warn me of a Death Eater raid. "Everyone wake up!" I screamed, running down the halls. I ran down the stairs and looked around. "WAKE UP!" I screamed and ran up the boys side. I ran into the sixth year dorm and began flinging curtains open.
"Jasmine!" Donnie shrieked, since he was sleeping in the nude.
"Harry?!" I yelled.
"Jasmine?" Harry said sleepily from behind one of the curtains. I flung it open and stared at him with wide eyes.
"Dementors. attack." I breathed, pointing at the window.
"What? Jasmine what are you talking about?" Harry demanded. I grabbed his arms and pulled him out of bed. He put up a slight struggle but finally we crashed back onto Ron's bed, waking him.
"Harry? Jasmine?" He asked, sleepily, sitting up.
"Dementors." I pushed Harry off of me and ran down the stairs. I ran out of the common room and like the previous year, proceeded to make as much noise as possible. Soon, Filch appeared with Mrs. Norris winding around his legs.
"What in blazes are you doing?" He demanded.
"Dementors!" I shrieked, pushing past him till I ran into McGonagall. "Dementors!" I yelled, clutching her robes.
"What?"
"This young lady is babbling on about something." Filch said.
"This babbling young lady gave us an early warning of a Death Eater raid last year, Mr. Filch." McGonagall said rather sharply. "Jasmine, just keep running about yelling. Yell teachers name." She told me and went off. I glared at Filch, and began running again.
"REMUS!" I screamed out. "SIRIUS! DEMENTOR ATTACK! EMERIN! PROFESSOR SPROUT! PROFESSOR FLITWICK! DEMENTORS! ATTACKING THE CASTLE! PROFESSOR SNAPE! PROFESSOR McGONAGA----- no wait she knows. PROFESSOR CONWAY! PLEASE! DEMENTOR ATTACK! PROFESSOR SINISTRA! ANY-" I ran head-on into Remus.
"Jasmine!!" He said, looking at me with tired and worried eyes. He was wearing bluish gray pajamas under his night robe.
"Remus..." I gasped, grabbing his arm. "Dementors..."
"Dementors....?"
"Yes." I said, breathing hard.
"You know where my office is?"
"Yes."
"Go there and stay there."
"But, Remus."
"Do you know the Patronus charm?" He asked.
"Yes." I said.
"You do?!"
"Yes. I learned it a while ago." I said.
Remus sighed and pushed back his hair. "Okay fine. come with me." He grabbed my arm and dragged me along the hall. "I still say you should wait in my office. Its my duty as your godfather to keep you protected but we'll need everyone who can fight Dementors to help." We ran through some more corridors (more like him running and me being dragged). Finally we got to a long corridor on the fourth floor, and to a portrait of a bunch of sleeping squirrels around and in a tree. "Wake up!" Remus yelled. One of the squirrels woke up and chirped angrily at him, raising its fists and waving it about. "Death to Rules." Remus said and I knew this had to be where Sirius's room was.
The squirrel, still yelling in squirrel-talk angrily, pulled a tree limb and the portrait opened, revealing a loose stone. Remus pressed it and a doorway appeared. Remus opened it and dragged me inside. "Sirius! SIRIUS!" He barked.
"Whazzit?" Sirius asked sleepily from the couch. I glanced at him confusion, and at the dark blue canopy bed. Sirius slowly sat up from the couch, rubbing his eyes. "What's going on??"
"Dementor attack." Remus said, gripping my arm so tightly I knew I'd have bruises.
"What?!" Sirius demanded, leaping from his couch.
'What's going on?" We looked as a sleepy face peered from the curtains. It was Peggy's aunt Trixie.
"Trixie what the hell are you doing here?" Remus demanded and glanced at Sirius who was flinging through his clothes.
"She didn't want to stay at the hotel anymore. ah!" Sirius said and pulled on a pair of jeans over his boxers.
"Yeah. Sure. Trixie there is a Dementor attack on the castle." Remus said.
"Oh my God!" Trixie closed the curtains and a few minutes later came out, with a dark green bathrobe over her pajamas.
Sirius, Trixie, Remus and I ran out from his room. Or rather, Remus dragged me. "I CAN walk!" I said, stumbling after him but Remus ignored me.
"I'll go get Emerin." Trixie said and dashed off, her sash flying behind her. Soon there was an announcement.
"ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS! THERE ARE DEMENTORS RAIDING THE CASTLE! ALL STUDENTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR COMMON ROOM, BUT THOSE WHO CAN DO THE PATRONUS SPELL PLEASE REPORT TO THE FRONT HALL! THIS INSTANT!" McGonagall's voice rang out.
Sirius and Remus ran down to the entrance hall, Remus dragging me. There were many confused teachers standing there, tying their robes around them tightly. Flitwick had a large sleeping cap on that threatened to completely cover his entire head.
"Who rang the alarm?" Professor Sinistra asked, gripping her wand.
"Jasmine here." Remus said, holding up my arm.
"You can let go now." I said but he continued to ignore me.
Soon, some students poured into the entrance hall, looking sleepy, pale and confused. "Harry!" Sirius said, glowering at him. "What are YOU doing here?!?!"
"He learned the Patronus charm in his Third year, Sirius." Remus said, still gripping my arm which was beginning to go numb. "I taught him."
"Thanks for informing me." Sirius grumbled.
"Aunt Trixie?" I saw Peggy was there, running her fingers through her hair. 'What're you doing here?"
"No time to chat." Trixie said as she and Emerin appeared.
Soon everyone in the castle who could do the Patronus charm, was in the entrance hall. Dumbledore stood at the front, wand in hand. "Let's go." He said and flung the doors open.
Coldness filled the entrance hall, and it was not just from the night air. We crowded outside and began flinging the charm at the Dementors. Luckily Remus was gripping my left arm not my right. He switched to gripping it with his left so he could use his right. I brought up my most happiest memory. Harry...... real family, not adopted.... Remus- a godfather..... Harry and Remus.... Harry and Remus..... I thought and aimed my wand. "Expecto Patronum!" Silvery light shot out from my wand and formed my Patronus. A largish house cat. Around it, other Patronus' took form. A large grizzly bear. a phoenix. a stag. a fox. a Clydesdale horse.
Sadness slowly began filling me. my worst memories taking shape.
'Jasmine. you're adopted.' 'I'm not your real daughter??' 'No.'
No! Fight it!
Harry. Remus. Draco! Wonderful, sweet Draco.
'Stay away from her. She talks to things no one else can see. She's a freak. Says she's talking to dead people.'
Draco is the most wonderful boyfriend a girl could have! You'll see him in the morning.
'Jasmine is a freak! She's weird! Don't talk to her.' 'Jasmine. you're adopted.' 'What a WEIRD girl!! Stay away from her. 'You're adopted.' 'Loser! Freak!'
I fought back my tears and continued fighting the Dementors. I felt sadness. coldness filling up inside of me. 'No! Jasmine fight it! You have a wonderful boyfriend, a real brother and a godfather! Think of them. Think of Harry! Draco! Remus!'
I felt myself slowly sinking to my knees. From beside me, Remus was still standing tall, gripping my arm. "Jasmine don't give in." He whispered.
Suddenly, a real phoenix swooped overhead and began singing. A new strength built up into me. I slowly straightened up and kept a sturdy grip on my wand. My house-cat Patronus was hissing angrily around a Dementor and clawing at it, fighting with the help of the stag. For some reason, the cat and stag seemed right together.
The phoenix song seemed to fill everyone with a new strength and the Patronus' charged more fiercely at the Dementors. Finally, the ones that were left, retreated quickly.
Then everything went black as I collapsed to the ground.
*** (Hermione's point of view)
Ron and I sat in the hospital wing, watching Harry, Jasmine and Peggy, all unconscious. I looked around at everyone else in the hospital. Mainly seventh years but a few sixth years and even a fifth year.
"Hello." Professor Dumbledore entered the room looking extremely, extremely grave.
"Hello, Professor." Ron and I chorused, sitting back.
"There they are, and I assure you they are perfectly fine." Dumbledore said. Sirius, Remus and Trixie ran into the room. Sirius went to Harry's bed, Remus to Jasmine and Trixie to Peggy's.
"I can't have everyone crowding about the beds, bothering the patients." Madame Pomfrey huffed.
"Yeah they look real bothered." Emerin had come in, eyes narrowed. "Is it true, Albus?"
"Yes it is, Emerin."
"Is what true?" I asked.
"I'll bet Fudge is going to be having a nice time when he hears about this." Emerin said, pulling out a bottle of Butterbeer and chugging some down.
"That little --- deserves restless nights knowing that things like this are going to happen because of him. I'm just glad we reached the giants before Voldemort did." Sirius said, staring down into Harry's pale face.
"Jasmine!" Malfoy ran into the wing and stared at Jasmine. "Is she. is she okay??" He whispered, staring at Pomfrey with wide eyes.
"She will be fine if she can just get rest." Pomfrey said, glaring about the room.
"Poppy my dear, they are all unconscious. They need to wake up." Dumbledore said and sat down.
Pomfrey scowled. "Albus. this is MY hospital-"
"In MY school." Dumbledore pointed out and laced his long fingers together.
"But all the same, Professor, it is MY hospital wing and-"
"My dear Poppy. what these kids need is to be awoken up."
"But-"
"Poppy."
Pomfrey scowled and went off to do something. I hid my giggles and turned back down to look at Harry. A few moments later, he stirred and fumbled for his glasses. Sirius handed them to him and he slid them on, slowly sitting up. "What happened?" He asked slowly, looking around in confusion.
"The Dementors? Last night?" Sirius asked.
"Oh. yeah." Harry said slowly and rubbed his head. "Jasmine?" He asked, glancing at her bed. "Peggy?"
"They'll be awake soon enough." Dumbledore said.
"Hello, Professor." Harry said.
Pomfrey then closed the curtains around his bed and tended to him.
*** (Peggy's point of view)
I sipped the hot cocoa, feeling the warmth spreading through my body. "You feeling better?" Ron asked, hand on my arm.
"Yeah." I said, half-wanting to shrug Ron's hand off, the other half wanting for his hand to stay there. My more sensible half took over and I pulled my arm away.
"You never told me you knew the Patronus charm." Harry was telling Jasmine.
"You never told me you knew." Jasmine replied.
"Er.... yeah.... well....I'm older!"
"I'm the same year as you, Harry."
"I'm still older." Harry glanced at me. "You know the Patronus charm, too."
"Yeah. Had to learn it a while ago."
"Had to?" He asked.
"Well. yes." I said.
"How come?"
"Well. that isn't important." I informed them and sat back in the chair.
"Guys!" Seamus Finnigin ran in the room.
"What?" We asked. He looked extremely breathless.
"I just found out-" He said, gasping for air, "that a student-was-had been.... in the attack.... been given... the kiss...." He managed.
We all leapt to our feet. "What?!"
"A student.... in the attack.... Dementors kiss..." He managed, leaning against a chair. "I just found out..... seems the parents have sent... a Howler. ...to Fudge." Seamus said.
"Good." Harry said, not believing that. that a student. "What student?" He asked, rather nervously.
"Seventh year Ravenclaw. dunno her name." Seamus breathed.
"Not Cho Chang?!"
"No. another girl. not Cho." Seamus said and looked ready to collapse. Obviously he had run a long way. I jumped up and pushed him in my chair, handing him another cup of cocoa. "Thank you." He said and gulped it down.
"I'll be back." Harry dashed out of the Common Room.
"Oh gosh." Hermione whispered, shaking her head.
"And so the fun the begins." Ron mumbled.
"I need to go write a letter." I said, grabbing my backpack. "See ya." I muttered and ran out of the Common Room and headed to the Owlry.
