Chapter Nine: Hogsmeade

The weeks were flying by. Harry and Ruthie were still on bad terms but were in a full fledge war anymore. Ruthie actually felt bad because Harry wasn't going to be able to go to hogsmeade. The fighting between Hermione and Ron didn't help either. Ron was convinced Crookshanks was out to kill Scabbers. Personally Ruthie didn't understand why he cared so much, Scabbers was disgusting.

Finally Halloween morning arrived and everyone was excited about going to Hogsmeade. Everyone except Harry. The time finally came for him to part with Hermione, Ruthie and Ron.

Ruthie walked down the stairs beside Harry, Ron and Hermione. Ron and Hermione's faces were absolutely ecstatic, while Harry's was solemn. Ruthie looked at Harry sighing. She felt bad for him; she knew how much he wanted to go.

"We'll bring you lots of sweets back from honey dukes," Said Hermione. Harry nodded.

"Don't worry about me," said Harry. "I'll see you at the feast. Have a good time." With that he turned and headed back up the stairs. Hermione looked sadly at Ruthie who watched him disappear. The three headed towards the door. The line was huge everybody from year 3-7 was waiting to get out. Ruthie spotted Damien and rushed over to him.

"Damien!" She cried ignoring the music, as she got closer.

"Oh—er—Hi Ruthie…" She looked at him, he looked nervous.

"So where do you want to go first?" Ruthie asked ignoring the look on his face.

"Well, Actually…I can't…I got to do something…" He mumbled.

"What are you talking about!"

"I can't…I can't hang out with you…I'll meet you outside your dormitory later…though…" Damien stepped back and disappeared into the crowd leaving Ruthie red faced and angry. She turned and bolted up the stairs.

"Harry!" She yelled as she entered Gryffindor common room. Harry looked up; he was trying to get away from Colin Creevey.

"Er...What's wrong?" He asked walking over to her.

"Can I borrow your cloak?" She whispered, so only Harry could hear. Harry looked at her in surprise.

"Er…I guess so…hold on…" Harry went upstairs leaving Ruthie clutching a stitch in her side. He came back down holding something behind his back. He stuffed into her jacket. "Just be careful…why do you need it anyway?" Ruthie hesitated, if she told him he might not let her use it.

"I'll tell you later!" She whispered. "Thanks" She ran back out the door and back down to the long Line. Hermione and Ron were at the front. She joined them and headed outside. The cold crisp air felt good against their skin and she could tell everyone was excited to be outside. She spotted Damien further ahead and kept her eye on him. Once they reached Hogsmeade she broke away from Hermione and Ron. Finding an isolated spot she threw the cloak over her, checking to make sure she was completely covered.

She followed Damien. He went into Honey dukes, and Zonkos. Ruthie was about to give up when he started to head away from hogsmeade. She followed him; he was heading for the shrieking shack. She followed close behind him. He entered the shack, closing the door behind him. She took off the cloak. She stood on tiptoes and peered through the window. He was standing in the middle of the room. He looked right at her and then disappeared. Ruthie fell backwards in an attempt to hide. When she got to her feet he was still gone.

"HE APPARATED!" She screamed. She picked up the cloak and stuffed it in her coat pocket. She ran off to find Hermione and Ron in a rage.

"What's wrong with you?" Ron asked choking on a licorice stick.

"Nothing!" She growled. He shrugged and continued picking out sweets to buy. Hermione stared at her, as though analyzing her. "Nothing." She said a gain a little more softly. Once Ron had bought his share of sweets they got some butterbeers at the three broomsticks and then headed back. They returned giving Harry handfuls of sweets and extravagant descriptions. In return he told them about his afternoon with Professor Lupin. Before long it was time for the feast.

"I've got to go." Ruthie said as she finished up her dinner.

"Go? What are you talking about?" Ron laughed.

"I…I'll…see you later…" She said. Ruthie disappeared into the crowd and rushed up to Gryffindor tower. It was completely deserted except for one person. "Damien!" She hissed as her Mistle began to sing. "Oh shut up!" She yelled at it.

"Ruthie!" He stammered. She got close and jumped back.

"Why do you smell like firewhisky!" She shouted. He ran a hand clumsily through his hair. "Fortuna Major!" She shrieked. The portrait flew open and Ruthie dragged Damien in to the common room.

"Olivendo" He mumbled, pointing his wand at the stairs.

"What—What are you doing!" She asked running over to him. He grabbed her arm and pulled her up the stairs in to the girl's dormitory. "How—how did you? Guys can't…" He shoved her into her room.

"Includo Silentium" He said.

"Damien stop it!" She yelled pulling out her wand,

"Expelliarmas!" He cried. She flew back onto her bed her wand flying out of her hand.

"Damien! Get out!" She screamed, but before she could get up he raised his wand and pointed it at her. She could see a tear run down his cheek.

"Crucio" He whispered. A violent blood-curdling scream echoed around the room as Ruthie lay writhing in pain on her bed. He stopped. "Suffrendo" Ruthie let out another scream and curled into a ball. "Finite Incantatum" He put his wand away and left. Leaving Ruthie shaking on the bed.

After awhile she pulled herself up to a standing position. Wiped away the tears from her eyes and head back downstairs. When she climbed out of the portrait. Professor Dumbledore, McGonagall, and nearly every Gryffindor stood waiting for her.


A/N: I hope you liked this chapter I have been wanting to write it for a while now. So here it is enjoy!

I will try to post again next week during the holidays until then, Happy Holidays!