Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Charmed. I am just a fan. The only thing I own is my own Characters such as Phoenix.

The Other Magical World

Chapter 29: Uh, Spell Gone Wrong?

Phoenix tried to catch up with her bushy brown hair friend. Hermione was practically running down the halls not caring who she ran into. Phoenix was just about to catch up with her when,

"Miss Matthews."

Phoenix stopped dead in her tracks when she heard the familiar voice of Professor Snape. "Professor?" she said as she turned around to face him.

'I'm going to lose Hermione!'

"Congratulations on making the Quidditch team Miss Matthews." He sarcastically said with a small smile, or at least what Phoenix thought was a smile.

"Thank…Thank you Professor." Stuttering, not believing on what she just heard.

'Did I just hear right? Did Professor Snape just congratulate me?'

"I find that your broom is suitable for your needs?"

"Yes, Sir. I wanted to thank you for it. It is very lovely. I appreciate it very much."

'Okay, am I still on the same planet? Why is he being so nice to a Gryffindor? Shouldn't he be punishing me for running in the corridors or not going to class? I don't understand. I'm not a Slytherin. He has been treating me this way every since I got here!'

"You are welcome Miss Matthews. Good day and please do not run in the corridors."

'Did he just say please?'

Phoenix watched Snape leave giving him a confused look.

'Okay, that was a little weird. What was all that about? It almost feels like he has a secret or something, and it has to do with me. Does he know? No, he would have said something in class about it. No mind, I need to find Hermione anyway. Maybe she went to the library?'

Phoenix looked around. Not seeing any Professors in the corridors, she ran to the library. She didn't care if anyone was in her way. A friend was in need and that was a goal. The goal was to find Hermione and try to talk to her. If she knew Hermione, Hermione would have gone to the library to try and lose herself in a book. Coming to a halt, Phoenix caught her breath and walked through the doors to the library.

She quietly looked around. Hermione was not at their normal table in the corner. So, Phoenix slowly walked down each aisle.

'Maybe Hermione is crouched in one of these aisles? It would make since, if she didn't want to be found.'

But Phoenix couldn't find Hermione anywhere in the library. She looked around some more. Then when satisfied, Phoenix left not wanting to be caught being out of class.

'Okay, that is a first. So, when Hermione is not in the library where else does she go? Hmmm, I guess I can check the common room.'

Leaving the library, Phoenix made her way to Gryffindor tower.

'Well, since I'm not in class, I guess now would be a good time to practice my new power. It has been a while since I got it, and I have not been able to practice it because of Quidditch. Now how on earth did I trigger it?'

Phoenix walked slowly thinking on what she did.

'Maybe fear is what triggers it? Is that what Hermione decided?'

While thinking about what to focus on, Mrs. Norris came strolling down the hall.

'Oh! It is that stupid cat! Be invisible! Be invisible!'

Phoenix begged to herself. Mrs. Norris took one look at her and ran to get Mr. Filch.

'Crap, I really despise that cat!'

Phoenix bolted in a dead run towards the tower. Turning the corner, Mr. Filch was to close for comfort as Phoenix almost smacked into him. Her eyes grew wide. Normally she was not afraid of skipping class, but being in a new school, she wanted to keep a low profile for a while. To her surprise, Mr. Filch just kept walking.

'Oh! Thank the Elders! I am invisible!'

Not thinking twice, Phoenix continued to run to the tower. The fat lady was brushing her hair as Phoenix ran up to her saying the password at the same time.

"My word! Are you not supposed to be in class right now?"

Phoenix rolled her eyes, "I… for...got one of my books that I need for class."

Not believing a word, the fat lady looked at her. "Oh, alright." And let the portrait door swing open.

Phoenix walked inside and whispered. "Hermione?" No one answered. She walked up the stairs to the dormitory. "Hermione?" Still no one answered.

'Okay. I'm completely lost. I have no idea where she is.'

Sitting on the bed, Phoenix tried hard to think of the next place to go. It was harder than she thought.

'Wait! When I was talking to Professor Snape Hermione turned the corner and disappeared. I didn't talk to Snape long enough for her to do that. There was a bathroom near bye! Maybe she slipped in there!'

Phoenix hoped off the bed, ran down, and out of the common room. She knew which bathroom Hermione would be in. She just hoped Hermione didn't go anywhere. She didn't want to start the search again. Phoenix cautiously ran to the bathroom. She didn't want to be caught by Mr. Filch.

"Hermione, are you in here?" Phoenix hollered as she entered the girls' bathroom. Hearing sniffling coming from one of the stalls, she quietly walked over. "Hermione it's me Phoenix." She knocked. Phoenix tried pushing the door open, but it was locked. "Hermione?"

"Go away." Hermione snuffled.

Phoenix peered into the crack of the door finding Hermione sitting on the stool hugging her legs. "Finally! Do you know how hard it is to find you if you are not in the library?"

"Leave me alone." Hermione mumbled.

"What was that?"

"Leave me alone, please."

"And why would I do that? You are my friend. I never leave a friend if they need someone to lean on."

Nothing was said. Phoenix heard some more crying and peered through the crack again. Hermione was still hugging her legs with her head down.

'Wow! Something must be deeper to Ron's comment than what is let on.'

The crying continued for a while until sniffling took over.

"Ron is right. Why are you even my friend? I don't even deserve to have any friends. No one wants a- know- it- all for a friend."

"Let me tell you something. Ron is a jerk. And there has to be a- know- it- all friend in the circle, or the circle of friendship won't be complete. Just don't listen to Ron."

"I never really had any real friends."

"Well, that was because you never met me yet."

There was nothing but silence. It was almost as if Hermione was hoping Phoenix would just disappear. Phoenix looked in the crack and saw Hermione giving a sigh. She knew Hermione was not ready to come out. Making herself cozy on the floor, all that was heard was Hermione's crying and sniffling. Time went by slowly. No one said a word. Phoenix wasn't sure how long they have been there.

'Okay, my butt is getting cold. Hermione must be getting uncomfortable. And I am hungry. I bet it is already dinner time. She hasn't said a word to me. All she has been doing is crying.'

"Phoenix." came the small voice of Hermione.

Phoenix nearly jumped off the floor on hearing her name. She was almost asleep.

"Yes?" she responded wiping herself off.

"Do you really want to be my friend? I mean you are not just being nice to me because we spoke on the train?"

"No, Hermione if I didn't want to be your friend, I would have ditched you a long time ago."

There was some silence. Then a small click was heard. Hermione unlocked the door. Phoenix walked over and gently pushed the door open. Hermione was standing there her eyes still fresh with tears.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being my friend." She smiled making a smile come across Phoenix's face.

"No problem."

Phoenix walked out of the stall as she noticed Hermione's gesture for wanting out. Hermione walked over to the sink to wash her face.

"What is that smell?" Phoenix asked as she scrunched up her nose in disgust.

The smell resembled some old dirty socks and a toilet that has not been cleaned for years. Before anything was said, heavy footsteps were heard. The door flew open and a horrible sight was in front of them.

The creature was nothing like what Phoenix had ever seen. Twelve feet tall, its skin was dull, granite gray, its great lumpy body like a boulder with its small bald head perched on top like a coconut. It had short legs thick as tree trunks with flat, horny feet. The smell coming from it was incredible. It was holding a huge wooden club. Phoenix didn't know if she was more afraid of the creature in front of her or demons she had battled many times.

Hermione gave out a blood curling scream. Phoenix pushed her under the sink as her charmed instincts kicked in.

"Hermione, be quiet! You're going to cause the troll to retaliate!"

The troll let out a scream of its own as he lifted his club high into the air. He was walking towards them knocking sinks off the walls. Phoenix backed up along with Hermione. Debris was flying as the stall doors were knocked off. Hermione continued to scream as Phoenix was getting a little nervous herself.

Phoenix didn't know what else to do. She closed her eyes while flicking her hands. When the troll's scream was no longer heard, she opened her eyes. What she saw was Harry and Ron standing in the door way covered with troll guts.

"Oops! My bad!!" as she gave a cheeky smile.


A/N: Sorry for this being late. My week was kind of crazy, and the days just flew bye! Anyway, so what is the issue with Snape? Is the four of them going to patch things up? How is Phoenix going to explain the troll guts?