Chapter 10: It Has Begun
The weeks passed blissfully incident free. The four friends became closer and closer. As Halloween approached only one thing was on the minds of all the Hogwarts students, Hogsmeade. Dumbledor had announced the first Hogsmeade visit would occur after Halloween. Jade had never been there before so the boys filled her in on everything; Honeydukes, Zonko's Joke Shop (Fred and George talked almost non-stop about that), the Three Broomsticks, butterbeers, the Shrieking Shack.
On Halloween Harry woke up knowing the feast would be tonight and tomorrow Hogsmeade. He woke Ron and both boys dressed and hurried down for breakfast. That morning they had only one class, Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall. The boys saw Hermione, Jade, and Ginny laughing at something Jade was holding. As soon as they sat down Jade put it away quickly.
"What were you guys…" Harry began.
"Girls," interjected Ginny.
"Sorry, girls, laughing at," Harry finished.
"Nothing," came Hermione's response giggling.
Ron looked at them, "Girls."
"What do you think we will be doing in McGonagall's class?" Harry asked.
"I heard rumor that we might be starting on the Animagus section. I also heard that she has a potion that will show you your Animagus form," Parvati said as she overheard Harry's question.
"Yeah it's called Animagus Revealo Potion, highly dangerous if not properly used," Jade told her.
"Know-it-all," Parvati said sticking her tongue out at Jade.
"How do you do it?" Ron asked.
"Do what?" Jade asked innocently.
"Know all about potions like you do," Ron said.
"I don't know, it kind of comes naturally," Jade said.
Harry glanced at his watch and realized that it was getting late and they definitely didn't want to be late for McGonagall's class. Harry and Ron got up and left the Great Hall hurrying to the Transfiguration classroom. Jade and Hermione were slower to leave knowing a short cut through one of the many secret passages Jade has found. They left after bidding good-bye to Ginny. Harry and Ron just made it to the classroom. They went in finding Hermione and Jade waiting for them.
"How *gasp* do you guys *gasp* get here before us *gasp*," Ron said trying to catch his breath.
"We have our ways," Hermione told the boys as they sat down.
Professor McGonagall entered into the classroom carrying two trays containing vials of orange liquid. She walked to her desk setting the trays on her desk.
"Okay class I'm sure you have heard the rumors of us starting the Animagus section," she began, "Yes we are planning on starting it."
The whole class broke out in whispers glad they were beginning the Animagus section.
"This here is what is called the Animagus Revealo Potion. Can anyone tell me what it is used for," McGonagall said holding up one of the potion vials.
Jade being one of the best in potions raised her hand, "Ms. Black?"
"The Animagus Revealo Potion is most commonly used to help a person transform into their animagus form. The transformation can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days depending on how long it is brewed and what color the liquid is," Jade explained.
"Excellent, this here is a ten minute formula," McGonagall told them, "Now what is going to happen today is each one of you are going to come up front and drink the vial I will hand you. You will transform into the animal shape you will become if you choose to become an actual animagus."
"Professor McGonagall what if you don't actually change?" Parvati asked.
"Then you cannot become an animagus. I will record your animal shapes as you transform," she said, "Now you probably won't change into an unicorn, a griffin, dragon, or any other magical animal so do not hope for one. Just like the wand choosing the wizard, the animal chooses you."
"Now Ms. Brown come to the front," McGonagall finished.
Lavender walked to the front and took the vial from Professor McGonagall. She drank the surprisingly sweet liquid. Soon she felt her body changing into a white stallion. She galloped around the room happy. Her ten minutes ended and she sat down.
"Mr. Longbottom," McGonagall called out.
Neville stumbled as he went up to the front, he drank his vial and turned into a great lion. He laid down in front of McGonagall's desk until he changed back. Professor McGonagall continued to call students to the front. Finally she came to the end of her list.
"Ms. Granger," McGonagall said.
Hermione walked to the front and drank the vial of orange liquid. She changed into a beautiful brown cat with brilliant eyes. The Hermione-maine coone cat walked to Ron and swished her tail in his face. She sat on her chair and changed back.
"Mr. Weasley," McGonagall called.
Ron walked to the front of the room and drank the liquid quickly. He felt his nose become long as it became a muzzle. Soon there was a large dog with bright red fur walking around the classroom. Ron walked back to his desk before he turned back.
"Mr. Potter," McGonagall said handing him a vial.
Harry drank the liquid and changed into a shimmering black wolf with emerald green eyes and bushy fur. Harry howled just for the fun of it. He changed back just as the bell rang.
"Read the section on Animagus and summarize, due next class," McGonagall said to the class, "Ms. Black please stay for a few minutes."
Ron and Harry started back into the classroom, "Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter you may go. I'm sure Ms. Granger can wait around for Ms. Black," McGonagall told them.
"See you later," Hermione said.
Jade took the vial offered to her and drank down the liquid. It took longer for the potion to work on her. Soon she transformed into a silvery-white phoenix. She let out her beautiful song which seemed to warm the entire room. The potion wore off and Jade saw the surprised look on Hermione's and McGonagall's faces.
"Amazing," Hermione said.
"Impossible," McGonagall whispered to herself, "Ms. Black you may go."
Hermione and Jade headed to their Gryffindor common room to meet up with Ron and Harry.
Professor McGonagall left her classroom heading to Dumbledore's office, "Fizzy Whizzes."
The gargoyle revealed the staircase and she went up. She knocked on the door before entering. Minerva McGonagall saw Arabella Figg speaking with Dumbledore.
"Good afternoon Minerva," Arabella said before bidding Dumbledore farewell.
She stepped into the fireplace and shouted out her destination and disappeared in green flames.
"Minerva what troubles you?" he asked her.
"Albus, Ms. Black can take the shape of a phoenix if she became an animagus," she told him.
"A phoenix?" Dumbledore asked.
"A silvery-white phoenix," Minerva said.
"It seems she is surprising everyone," Albus Dumbledore told her, "For now we shall keep this secret between us."
"Yes Headmaster, I must return to my class," McGonagall said, "What about Ms. Granger, she knows about her animagus form as well."
"I will speak to her," Albus Dumbledore said.
Professor McGonagall left the room heading to her next class. Dumbledore also headed out tying to catch Hermione before she told what occurred after Transfiguartion class. He found both girls walking towards the common room.
"Ms. Granger, Ms. Black, I need to speak to you," he said.
"Yes sir," both girls said turning to face the headmaster.
"I need both of you to not…" he started but was cut off by Hermione
"…speak of what happened. We won't we promise. Not even with Harry and Ron," Hermione said and Jade shook her head in agreement.
"Thank you," he said before walking away.
Jade and Hermione headed up to the Gryffindor common room. When they got there they found that Harry and Ron were out practicing Quidditch. The girls knew they would probably be out there until the feast. The girls decided to stay in the common room to finish up their homework.
Harry and Ron were returning to the common room to drop off their brooms before going to the Great Hall for the feast. They had just rounded a corner near the trophy room when Mrs. Norris nearly attacked them. Harry was the first to see Filch, the schools custodian, lying on the floor. Harry ran to him to see if he was alive.
"Ron go find Dumbledore," Harry said.
"Is he…" Ron began.
"No just stunned with a very powerful curse," Harry said.
Ron shook his head and ran down the hall running into Snape on his way to Dumbledore's office, "Professor he's-he's…"
"Stop you mumbling Weasley. Now what's wrong," He demanded.
"It's Filch, we were on our way to our dorm when we found Filch lying on the floor," Ron finished.
"Take me to him," Snape said.
Ron led Snape back to where Harry and Filch were at. Harry was standing near by watching for Ron's return. He saw Ron and Snape come running up. Snape checked to make sure Filch was alive before conjuring up a stretcher. He started to lead Filch up to the hospital wing.
"Return to your common room, now," he snapped at them.
He turned and was gone with a swirl of his robes. Harry and Ron hurried to the Gryffindor Tower. They stopped in front of the portrait long enough to say 'Tea cakes'. The Portrait swung open allowing both boys to enter into the common room. The Gryffindor common room was in an uproar. Hermione found them amongst all the confusion, leading them over to the couch where Jade sat waiting.
"What's going on?" Harry asked.
"Let's talk in the prefect's common room," Jade said standing up, "It should be less crowded."
They made their way through all the Gryffindors in the room heading up the stairwell to the hidden entrance. Ron tapped out the password with his wand. The doorway appeared and opened up allowing then to enter. The for prefects went in finding the sudden silence inviting.
Once they were all seated Hermione began, "Well it seems something or some one is causing students to collaspe all over the school. So far the number has numbered five students; two Ravenclaws, two Hufflepuff, and Pansy Parkinson from Slytherin."
"We can add Filch to the list then," Harry said.
"What!?" Jade almost shouted.
"Harry and I saw him on the floor when we were on our way back here," Ron said, "His accursed cat tried to attack us."
"Does anyone know why they are collapsing?" Jade asked.
"I think it is a very powerful stunning curse," Harry said.
"You mean like 'Stupefy'" Hermione asked.
"No even more powerful," Harry said, "I think there is ancient magic involved here."
"I sense the use of an invisibility cloak soon, don't I," Ron said his eyes flashing with mischief.
"Let's wait and find out what Dumbledore has to say," Harry told them.
The friends agreed to wait, "We'd had better hurry down to the feast then," Jade said.
The girls left their bags in the Prefects common room. The boys quickly put their brooms away before meeting up with the girls in the hall. The four friends hurried down to the Great Hall. Once inside they found a seat quickly. With everyone in the hall talking , tying to find out what happened it was quite noisy. Professor Dumbledore tried to get everyone to quiet down, but was failing miserably. He soon had to resort to the use of his wand.
"SILENCIO!" he said casting a silencing charm.
Every student in the hall was silenced at once. The students turned to face their headmaster.
"Thank you, I know you have probably all heard about what has happened to some of your classmates. I assure you that it is nothing to worry about. It seems that there is a student or students pulling an elaborate prank. Each student was only stunned and will rejoin their houses by Monday morning," he said, "Now we have an excellent feast to enjoy and the first Hogsmeade trip is tomorrow."
He released the silencing charm and everyone began to speak at once. The food arrived and Ron set to work on some pumpkin pasties.
"An elaborate prank?" Hermione puzzled.
"If it was anything that involved the dark arts then an Order meeting would have been called," Jade said.
"OK," Hermione said really not satisfied.
Hermione went back to her feast enjoying herself. Jade stared at all the sweets and junk food only touching her pumpkin juice. Harry noticed this and decided to speak with her.
"Jade what's wrong? Don't you feel well? You haven't eaten a thing," Harry mentioned.
"I've never had sweets in my life, my mother usually forbidded it in in her home," Jade explained.
"I understand completely, until I began at Hogwarts I had never even heard of cauldron cakes or chocolate frogs, let alone eat them," Harry told her smiling, "Here try a pumpkin pasty, they're really not that bad."
He set one on her plate. She took a tentative bite finding its taste really pleasant. By the time the feast had ended Jade had tried chocolate frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Carmel Apples (Hermione's idea), and an assortment of other sweets. She found she truly liked them. Dumbledore waved his hands and the food disappeared signaling the time for bed.
All the houses filed out into the hallway heading back to their houses. Jade felt someone bump against her. Suddenly it felt as if someone was in her robe pocket. She turned and saw no one behind her. Jade put her hand into her pocket and bewildered pulled out a piece of parchment. She followed the rest of the Gryffindors into the common room where most headed straight up to their dormitories. Jade sat down in one of the chairs by the fire to read the note. She opened it up:
Meet me tomorrow by the Three Broomsticks. Come alone!
An anonymous friend.
Jade stared at the note suddenly afraid of who it could be. Could someone have found out who she was or was it something totally different. She said good-night to Ron, Harry, Ginny, and Hermione before walking upstairs to the dormroom. She set the note in her nightstand drawer promising to worry about it later. She got undressed in the dark and put on her pajamas. Jade laid down falling asleep almost instantly.
AN I want to thank all of you who have reviewed my story so far I want to especially thank:
Freckles: It was hard to find a good spot but its done ( It probably won't be a HP/LOTR crossover, sorry no rings)
KittyDopter: thanks for the review
Aurora: thank for the wonderful review
Seeker: well I would read more than one chapter then to get the whole jest of the plot
Destinygurl: I will try to update sooner now
TS: thanks for the tip about spacing/paragraphs it really has helped.
Tiger of the Dark: good luck and thanks
Dawniky: thanks for being my very first reviewer Yea!!!!!!!!!
And to all those who have also reviewed thanks and enjoy the story…