Harry woke up Saturday morning feeling tired and dizzy. This had been
his sixth nightmare this month. An all time record for Harry. This time
it was a flying car running into the second floor of his uncle's house.
Luckily he knew this wouldn't happen due to the fact the weasley's had
gotten rid of their car after being sighted going to hogwarts in his 3rd
year.
Having already gotten his school materials, harry
had a free weekend ahead of him. He spent his time finishing homework given
out for the summer. Proffesor Flitwick gave a long essay due about sleeping
charms. "If only they were dreaming charms", harry had thought throughout
the weekend. He had spent the summer sending owls back and forth to ron,
hermione, and sirius. sirius had told harry to try and forget the nightmares,
he couldn't make it up for the school year to see harry and didn't want
harry spreading around that he had been having even more nightmares. then
again hermione was worried half to death that something tragic was to happen
at hogwarts. what with last year but the last letter he had recieved from
her was one month ago. dudley had lost a whole 5 pounds since his diet
and aunt petunia was so pleased she had bought a 7 layer cake topped with
chocolate frosting. since then, dudley seemed to get bigger and bigger
throughout the summer.
but now harry was in the car going to kings crossing
station and couldn't wait until he finally boarded the bus. he could just
imagine him, hermione, and ron comparing summers. hermione and ron's by
far better than his.as he hadn't heard from hermione for a month, nor had
ron. he got out of his uncle's car and grabbed the trunk that vernon threw
harshley out the door. harry walked in front of the 9 3/4 entrance and
carefully entered. the large train stood in front of him.seeing that hermione
and ron were both not there yet, harry found an empty cart and trudged
his trunk and hedwig up into the empty compartment.
after waiting for around 15 minutes, a pretty girl
with blonde long straight hair, and glowing blue eyes, stepped into the
cart.
"May I stay here for the trip?", the girl timidly
asked harry with a slight american accent.
"Sure. You must be a first year. What's your name?"
"Heinous Autumnalli.call me autumn. that's what
most my friends call me. Actually i'm a transfer from japan but i was born
in america. My father worked for the school down in japan. Until it shut
down that is. what is your name?", autumn sounded grateful for someone
to talk to.
Harry hesitated for a moment.
"Harry.... umm... Harry Potter. Im a fifth year."
Autumn seemed not to notice
the name. "Well potter im a fifth year also. I hope you don't mind me calling
you potter. Most everyone calls you by your last name in japan."
harry nodded his head. Autumn
seemed nice but there was something odd about her. he couldn't make it
out.
just then ron walked in
breathing loudly from the heavy load. "hey harry...", he stopped, seeing
autumn. "who's your new friend? hey im ron."
"this is autumn. she's a fifth year
also. she transfered from japan."
Ron and autumn started up a conversation while harry
searched for hermione. finding her nowhere, he went back into the cart.
"Ron, Hermione's nowhere. She's not on the train."
Ron just looked at harry for a few seconds.
"didn't she tell you??", ron paused a moment,
his eyebrow started to do a kind of quiver, " hermione...... well.. hermione's
moved harry."
Harry stared at ron shocked. He knew it couldn't of been a joke. The quiver
in ron's eyebrow had never been there before.
"moved where? and why didn't she tell me ron??"
harry asked ron who looked completly confused.
"she didn't tell you anything?? i found out just
the other day. she's gone off to america. she's going to some school called
Westley, its not a wizarding school harry. What're we gonna do??"
"America??" harry sat down in a booth. he couldn't
believe hermione would move and not tell harry.
"Who is hermione?" autumn asked a bit suspicious.
"She's a good friend of me and harry. why do you
sound so weird?", ron answered, noticing the suspicious tone in autumn's
voice.
"well.....", autumn's voice shoke, "would that be
hermione granger?? the friend of harry potter the famous??"
"yeah.. she's my friend. i am harry potter. how
do you know her?" harry was beggining to get confused and highly curious.
"your.. your the famous harry potter??", autumn's
eyes narrowed slightly.
" Yes and how do you know hermione??", harry
was beginning to get iratatid.
"well... potter.... i meet up with her on one of
my flights. My father doesn't believe in flying broom. we take the muggle
way. she couldn't stop talking about you and how much she'd miss you two.",
autumn seemed, to harry, to be making the story up as she went. Harry didn't
believe a word of it. but still... somehow autumn knew hermione somehow.
he just couldn't figure it out.
* * *
the rest of the train ride was pretty normal.
except for the fact that they kept getting unusual visits from malfoy and
autumn being there instead of hermione. and the 23 packs of all flavored
jelly beans was getting to ron and harry. autumn didn't snack on much.
she told ron and harry simply that she didn't like candy. ron, being ron,
began to back off like she was some kind of evil demon. malfoy came in
over 10 times throughout the ride. and each time he was oddily polite to
ron, harry, and autumn. ron made a crack about malfoy going off to finishing
school finally and draco just got red in the face and left. Autumn didn't
believe for once that malfoy was mean and tried to make conversation with
him, each time he ran off before autumn could get an utter in.
when they arrived at the castle, harry helped autumn
get out and the three went into the carriages.
"wow, this is much bigger than my last school",
autumn stated in awe.
"Yeah, i bet a heck of a lot better too!" Ron had
been bragging about the school to autumn for some time now.
Harry was still stunned about hermione.
"Harry, snap out of it. It took me about 15 minutes
to get over it, you've already beaten my record by several hours!!", Ron
glanced at autumn to roll his eyes about harry, but autumn was looking
downward and her face was tinted a bit red.
"Ron... five years. We've known her five years.
how can you just trash the subject like that? Hermione was a really good
friend of ours", harry was flabbergasted that ron didn't feel the way he
did.
"Harry, I'm sure she'll keep in touch. You know
hermione. It's just not like her to not tell us what's going on." Ron sounded
even more annoyed than harry had with autumn.
"and... what if she didn't keep in touch??", autumn's
voice came as a suprise to both harry and ron.
"why wouldn't she autumn? unless you know something
about hermione that we don't i dont think think keeping in touch will be
a problem.", harry's voice pronounced that he didn't very well like autumn.
"cool it harry.", ron was tired of talking. all
he wanted to do was go to his dorm and sleep.
The three went into the great hall and sat down
at their table. The decorations were beutiful this year with candles the
color of each table. The first years were lined up including autumn. The
sorting hat then was brought out and sung its song. Harry didn't pay much
attention to the song, he kept his eyes on autumn who was obviously nervous
due to the fact that she was twisting her hands together so hard that it
looked like she was ringing them. proffesor Mcgonagall started calling
off the names. Autumn, due to the beggining of her last name, was the third
to be called.
"Heinous Autumnalli.", proffersor
mcgonagalls voice boomed.
Autumn put the hat on her head
and turned red almost instantly. Harry knew what it felt like. The sorting
hat whispering in your ear your every secret. And he could just think up
all the unusual facts about autumn that the sorting hat could crank out.
Autumn still sat there about 2 minutes later, quite a record for hogwarts.
About 1 minute later the sorting hat called out Gryffleplaslyth. The
great hall filled with murmurs. Autumn just sat there biting her lip, her
face a deep red. Harry felt sorry for her in a way. She may seem different,
but she didn't deserve to be split into four. He hid a laugh at what he
had just thought. The proffesors rushed up to the sorting hat and autumn
and took her into the side room. The sorting continued while harry and
ron slid out of their chairs and headed to the side door quietly. They
knocked on the door and were let in by Proff. Flitwick. Autumn was inside
looking embarrased and a tad bit angry.
"My dear, dear, girl... do you have any idea whatsoever
of what could've happened with the hat?", he questioned sympathetically.
Autumn just stood there looking angry that this had to happen to her. She
thought for a while and took a moment to answer.
"Well.... umm.. no.. i guess not.", she bit her
lip again. With all that biting, Harry expected to see some blood.
Just then Dumbledore walked in and looked a bit
stern as he excused Autumn and the others.
"Heinous, you may bunk in the Gryffindor house for
your time at Hogwarts. You all can go to your houses.", Dumbledore's eyes
weren't showing the glee they usually did. Autumn didn't seem to happy
either.
They left the room and found everybody to be eating.
Dumbledore had said for them to go to their houses so the three went up
the stairs and into gryffindor. They had known the password for Dean had
told them, since he was the new Prefect.
Autumn crept up to what was supposed to be her dormitory
and disapearred.
"There is something strange about that girl", harry
commented once she was out of sight.
"Relax harry. Your just mad about Hermione leaving."
"That's not nice Ron. She was our friend. We should
be sad. and what did autumn mean when she said that hermione might not
keep in touch??"
"I don't know harry, let's go to bed."
And with that Ron flung off his shoes and instantly
fell into bed and asleep. Harry was left alone to think about autumn. He
could've sworn he saw her put a goblet of red liquid into her bag after
coming from the bathroom on the train. He could've sworn it was"..... red.....
liquidy.... thick....",his mind drifted for awhile,"... red... liquidy...thick....
* *
*
Harry woke up the next morning feeling
drowsy once again. He vaugly remembered the day before. He could make out
a girl he had meet. Her name was..... was.... oh yeah. Autumn. Everything
came back to him except for the few seconds before he had gone to sleep.
He didn't think they mattered much so he sliped out of the bed and into
his clothes without another thought. Ron was already dressed and waiting
for Harry in the common room. Accompianed was Autumn.
"Good morning Harry!", Ron smiled brightly
up at him. Autumn following Ron's gaze and smile.
"Hey Ron. Hi Autumn.", Harry nearly
fell down the stairs he was so tired. The three left the common room and
went into the Great Hall for breakfeast. The cieling was clear blue with
a hint of yellow. It seemed for a beutiful day.
"Hello Autumn. How.. How are you this fine evening?",
Malfoy came up from behind them.
"Umm... don't you mean morning Draco??", Ron smirked
thinking of how he had just outwitted Draco. Malfoy gave a short glare
at Ron and then turned back to Autumn obviously waiting for a reply.
"I'm doing fine, and how are you Malfoy?", Draco
stood dazed. Soon after he walked away without a word.
"How could you two ever think of him as rude? He
may be a bit weird but very friendly!", Autumn's eyes following Malfoy
to his seat.
"Sure, friendly.", Harry muttered under his breath.
Although he did have to admit that Draco was being rather nice for a Malfoy.
He hadn't said one rude thing to Harry since they had seen each other in
the train the day before which was rather unusual for him.
The three stepped into the Great Hall and took their
seats at the Gryffindor table waiting for breakfeast. Dumbledore stood
up in the front of the room and called for everyone's attention.
"Everyone, I have an announcement.We have a new
defence against the dark arts teacher today. He has arrived late notice.
May I present to you, your new defence against the dark arts teacher, Charlie
Weasley."
An applause broke out among the Hall. Everyone who
knew Charlie loved him. Well, except for maybe Malfoy and his friends.
Ron looked shocked. He obviously hadn't known about his brother's new job.
He had known he was getting one, but he hadn't known what.
Charlie was waving at the applause and after it
was over and everyone started eating, he crept over to the Gryffindor table.
"Hey Ron, Harry. Sad about Hermione. Are you getting
along fine?", Charlie took a sidewards glance at Autumn. He, Harry guessed,
had heard about the Sorting Hat story.
"I'm pretty mad about it but Ron doesn't seem to
give a care, this is Autumn", Harry replyed, Ron too shocked about Charlie
to answer.
"Ron told you that? He cried for nearly a day after
he found out that she had gone", Charlie stated, ignoring Autumn.
Ron suddenly awoke from his shock and scowled at
Charlie. It was clear to Harry that Ron hadn't wanted this to get around.
"Oops... sorry Ron. I forgot", Charlie seemed the
least bit sorry, "oh sorry to be rude. Hello Autumn. I'm Ron's brother."
Autumn returned the gesture and Charlie left to
go eat. The whole breakfeast was slow and none of them talked, Harry suspicious
of Autumn, Autumn suspicious of Harry, and Ron imbarrased and mad at Charlie.
After breakfeast, the three split up into their
schedule and went about their day. Harry stoped by Hagrid's house during
lunch and they had a nice conversation of how the summer had gone. Hagrid
had a new set of pets ready for Harry on Thursday and Harry had a new set
of leather gloves for Hagrid's new pets. Harry finished his classes and
then headed up to the Gryffindor house to talk with Ron.When he got up
there, Ron was sitting their looking a bit shaken.
"What's wrong Ron? Get bitten by Hagrid's new pets?",
Harry found out quickly this hadn't been the right thing to say.
"Harry", Ron started in a soft, scared voice," Neville
was killed on the train last night. I found out during lunch when you weren't
there. There was no blood found", Ron's eyes widened in fright. He was
looking up at Harry like Harry had known something.
But Harry couldn't reply.At the mention of blood,
he remembered his very last thoughts of the night before.Somehow he had
to tell somebody, but even Dumbledore wouldn't believe him about this one..
nor Ron. He was on his own and he couldn't believe it... Neville Longbottom....
* *
*
The rest of the evening droned on while Harry thought
over and over again about what he had seen. He refused to talk to Autumn,
swearing she knew the truth. Ron didn't seem to talk much either. They
were both dumbstruck over Neville. He hadn't deserved to die. How could
anybody dispise Neville enough to kill him? Well, maybe Draco, but Harry
didn't think it possible that he would go this low.
Autumn was the only one in the
Gryffindor house that seemed to actually be alive. She was chatting away
with some of her new bunkies as they just sat and slowly nodded their heads.
Ginny was by far the most stunned. She had been in her room since classes
got out and had skipped dinner.She swore that she was cursed and that she'd
brought it to Hogwarts somehow. Charlie had come up to comfort her a few
times but as Ginny wouldn't come out, he hadn't had too good of luck. Dinner
that night was also quiet. This was the second person's death in only a
half of a year..Ron nearly threw Malfoy against the wall at the comment
he made after dinner.
"Well Ron, I guess that now Hermione and Neville
are gone, your left nearly alone. Since Harry accounts to almost nothing!",
he had smirked. Unfortunatly Autumn was not able to hear what he had said,
then she would've known he was evil in the worst. Autmn... Harry thought
for a moment..... Autumn... where was she? She had gotten up after dinner
and went off without telling him or Ron where she was going. Oh well, Harry
didn't really mind, he practically hated the girl.
Harry, now alone in his dorm, besides the zombied
Ron who was still too choked to say anything, he decided he was going to
give Hermione a try and started the walk down to the owlery. He met an
unfortunate suprise at the bottom.
"Well, well, Harry. Haven't seen you in while now
have we?", Snape said with a hint of glee in his voice.
"Good Evening Proffessor Snape", Harry tryed to
push his way through Snape but Snape would just not let Harry through.
"The owlery? At this time? I'm not sure if that's
such a good idea. May I see that note? With all the suspiocions going on...
I can't ever be too sure, now can I?", Snape wouldn't let Harry pass.
"Umm.. no. It's just a letter to Hermione", Harry
was begging his legs to run. But he knew that he'd get many points deducted
if he did. Just then Proffesor Mcgonagal came down the stairs.
"Hello Harry, Proffesor." She stayed around for
a bit, distracting Snape. While she did so, Harry snuck past them both
and went down to the owlery. There Hedwig was perched on a branch sleeping
. When Harry walked in, she awoke with a shake and stared down at Harry
as if angry.
"Sorry Hedwig. Here, I have a letter for you. It'll
be a long journey, so good luck.", Harry tied the letter to Hedwig's leg
and she took off. Harry waved goodbye then went up back to the Gryffindor
tower. When he stepped inside he caught a glimpse of Autumn put a peice
of parchment into her bag.
"Hello Harry. Where were you? I've been looking
all over", she asked almost too innocently.
"Out", a shor simple reply from Harry.
He went to his room and got into
his night clothes. Although it was still early, he was really tired of
the days events and he knew that this weekend they would start quidditch
practice. So he sliped under the covers and started to pull out one of
the books Ron had bought him for his birthdays "Quidditch World Cup Confessions"
and started to read. Awhile later he was asleep and dreaming.
* *
*
The week went on pretty much the same way, quiet,
dreary, and most of all boring. The classes weren't that much different
than last year and Proffesor Snape was just as mean. Hagrid's new pets
were called Gweebles and they were rather normal. Or at least until they
grew up which is what everyone but Hagrid was thinking. Harry was thankful
he hadn't taken the divination class because what with Neville, he knew
he'd have at least fifty or so deaths in the future. Potions was alright,
except for the review session when Ron, not paying attention because he
was still slightly stunned, flew a chair at Harry, almost hitting him,
and all the other classes seemed fairly normal except that Ron and Harry
were getting a bit behind due to Hermione being gone. At the end of the
week, Harry decided to send a letter to Sirius about Neville. Knowing that
Pig was still in the owlery he went down to send it. But when he got there,
Hedwig was sitting there snoozing on her branch. Nothing tied to her leg.
Harry remembered what Autumn had said about Hermione not returning leters
and instantly started to worry. He ran up to the gryffindor tower forgetting
completly about Sirius. Autumn was sitting in a chair near the fire reading
a book.
"Autumn what did you do with Hermione's letter?",
Harry yelled, shocking everyone including himself. Autumn looked up at
him as if he were crazy.
"Nothing. I don't even know what you're talking
about.", she stated matter of factly.
"I know you took it. And what ever I do.. I will
get it back!!", he stormed up the stairs of the dorm and fell into his
bed raging mad!
He thought for a long while until he drifted off
to sleep.
As he walked into the Gryffindor Tower, Harry spotted Autumn putting
a peice of parchment into her bookbag. "Hello Harry. Where were you? I've
been looking all over", She said almost to innocently.
MONTHS LATER:
The months went by quickly and Hagrid's pets had attacked almost 4 students. They had grown large spikes on their head that they loved to play with.Unfortunatly. Harry refused to talk to Autumn as he had been getting nothing back from Hermione. Exactly what Autumn had said.There had been another death of a hufflepuff girl that Harry didn't know. Like last time, there was no blood found. So the scene at Hogwarts was quiet and almost always had a sad feeling around it. The kids were ristricted to the school building so there was no quidditch which many were displeased. Two years and no quidditch. This meant it was even harder to get rid of the dreary feeling. Ron wasn't as shocked but still a little quiet. Charlie was a great teacher and everybody loved him. Harry sent letters to Sirius daily but due to the danger, never got a letter back. He understood. Ginny was more scared than ever and wanted to go home but her whole family refused. The dream Harry had had the first night he found Hermione's letter to be gone kept reapearing in his mind. He didn't think it was important so he just ignored the reappearing dream. Autumn went to visit her dad for a weekend and while she was gone Hedwig flew in and droped a piece of parchment. Harry opened it up carefully.
Harry~
Why haven't you or Ron sent me an owl lately? I've been worried.
It's too bad I've been ban from Wizarding schools. If only I hadn't
ran into that girl. Remember to watch out for her. Good luck~
Hermione WRITE ASAP
Ron had been looking over Harry's shoulder. "What girl?"
* * *
Harry was positive it was Autumn, while Ron
was too extatic about the letter to even rember who Autumn was. When she
came home on that Monday, Harry didn't see her until late after dinner.
She was reading a piece of parchment and jumped at Harry's words, quickly
putting it away.
"What's that you have there Autumn? Another one
of Hermione's letters? Ron and I found a little something of our own when
you were away.", Harry stated with near satisfaction.
"No. It's homework due in..... Potions. I don't
care what you found. Whatever it is, it shouldn't be important.", She said
with the slightest hint of curiousity in her voice.
Harry decided he'd better not tell her any more
information. If he kept on she might search him. He went up to his room
and flung himself into his bed. He had to find someway of getting those
letters. He couldn't magic them over, it would be too dangerous. He wished
he could just get them from her for a split second. Just a glance at them
would be good enough now. Ron would probably help him. He was better friends
with Autumn anyhow. Just then Ron came in with Hermione's letter.
"Ron, did you know that there are more letters from
her?", Harry asked Ron trying to get him to become interested.
"Umm... where?", Ron replied. Harry noticed that
Ron seemed to be in a different set of mind lately. He was less talkative
and almost expressionless. Harry figured it was just the happenings that
was making Ron act so strange.
"Autumn has them. And she won't give them back..
will you get them?", Ron looked at Harry as if hypnotized.
"No. Autumn didn't do anything Harry. You have no
proof so why should you blame her?", Ron turned out the door and slammed
it behind. "Wow. He's moody.", Harry thought to himself. He thought a little
longer and then fell asleep. Nothing was getting done. He knew it was nearly
impossible to get around Autumn without Hermione's help. When he woke up
in the morning, the sun was high and the birds were chirpping. He went
down to breakfeast where Ron was already sitting. He didn't seem to notice
Harry, or he was ignoring him. Harry really didn't care either way, he
didn't really want to talk anyhow, last night he had had his nightly dream.
It had been the same one over and over for months, and frankly, Harry was
getting tired of it.
Autumn wasn't at the table, which wasn't that unusual
for her. She hadn't been at any meals for what Harry had seen. Or at least
not when he was there. There was definatly something odd about Autumn and
Harry knew that he had to find out. His attention was torn away from Ron
and Autumn when Dumbledore cleared his throat and stood up.
"Everyone, I have an announcement to make. Due to
a blowout in the Beuxbatons school, a few of their students have been temporarily
replaced at different Wizarding Schools throughout the country. Hogwarts
has accepted a Beuxbatons girl of the 5th year. Her name is Emillinia and
she arrive in a week or so. She will be staying in the Gryffindor tower.
I wish you to accept her in as she were a regular. Thank you, you may continue
eating.", Dumbledore sat and continued to eat. Ron turned his head toward
Harry and wore an expression of satisfaction.
"There you go. There's your girl.", Ron turned back
to his food. Harry thought nothing of it. He still expected Autumn to be
the dangerous one. His day didn't get much better. In Potions, Snape deducted
20 points from Gryffindor because Harry dropped his Potions book on the
ground. And in Hagrid's class, the "pets" gave Harry a long red gash acrossed
his arm. Transfiguration was ok.. but Parvati accidently turned her pet
cat into a frog. Something Proffesor Mcgonagal wasn't too pleased about.
The other classes weren't all too bad but he couldn't seem to get something
off his mind. What if Ron was right? What if the girl he was looking for
was Emillinia and not Autumn? He tryed to stop thinking about it. When
he went up to his house to sleep that night, Ron was reading and Autumn
was studying for her test in Transfiguration. He ignored them and went
up to the dorm. He got undressed and flung himself onto the bed. He started
thinking of which girl Hermione had been talking about when he started
to drift off to sleep until he was dreaming.
"Goodnight Ron. Tell Harry I'm sorry for acting all moody tonight. See ya," Autumn got up to leave and Ron did too. As she was leaving the chairs, a piece of parchment fell out of her bookbag. Ron picked it up and brought it into the dorm with him. He layed it ontop of the chest so that he wouldn't forget to give it to her later.
Harry awoke with a start. He glanced at the window expecting to see a trim of the sun coming over the forest only to find black. He looked around to see if something had awakened him. When he saw the white parchement against the chest he remembered his dream. He got up and went over to it. He opened it up and on the front of the parchment it read: to Harry and Ron ~ love Hermione. A message was printed on the inside.................
* * *
He opened the letter and tryed to read the rest. But it was too dark and Harry couldn't make it out. He went to his wand and lit it, he started to read the print. Someone had obviously tried to erase the print, but it had been done in a dark lead and was still able to be made out.
Harry and Ron~
Haven't written you in awhile. Harry, why haven't you written back any
of my letters?
I've been waiting forever. As you may have heard, I got kicked out of all
Wizarding
Schools. You'd think they'd let me go for defending myself wouldn't you?
Well
They didn't. And the Nalli girl, I can't remember her full name, she said
she was
going to Hogwarts this year. Guys I'm worried, she.... well... let's just
say that
She's the reason I'm banned from wizarding schools. Please write soon~
~love~ Hermione
Harry stood there in shock. Nalli? Who was
Nalli? He decided that he'd better find out the Beuxbatons girl's full
name. And if it wasn't her, who could it be? He figured it was too much
thinking for the night so he got in bed and tryed to go to sleep. It took
awhile as he was thinking about what he was going to do. He was extremly
confused. And now that he knew Autumn wasn't the bad one, he was going
to apolize and try and make friends. Maybe she'd understand and the three
of them, Ron, Harry, and Autumn, could figure the puzzle out together.
But then again... if Autumn wasn't the bad one, then why was she hiding
all these notes from him? What did they have to do with her? He figured
he'd lay off but not quite be friends with her. He didn't want to get too
close... just in case.
The next morning, Harry gave the letter back to
Ron to read. Ron, reluctant at first, finally opened it up and read it.
"Wow. Well, now you know it's not Autumn.", he said
knowingly.
"Yes but who is Nalli? And why is Autumn keeping
these notes from us? It's obvious she didn't want us to see this one. She
even tryed to erase it!"
Ron just looked at Harry with an expression that
said he was annoyed with the whole ordeal.
"Well we have it now don't we?", he said simply.
"Why can't we just have one normal year? Just one? I'm sick of always
having to do something. Following giant spiders around, getting knocked
out by giant stone chess pieces, and getting two near death experiances
with he-who-must-not-be-named!! Could you just stop being the hero for
a year. It's tyering being your sidekick!!"
Ron stomped off out of Gryffindor tower to the Great
Hall for breakfeast. Now Harry realized why Ron was acting so strange.
Now that Hermione was gone, they weren't a threesome anymore. Since Harry
had been so wrapped up in the Autumn thing, Ron felt like a sort of side
guy. It all made sense. Harry had been so busy with himself and thinking
about Autumn, that he hadn't noticed that Ron wasn't around Harry as often.
He had been hanging out with other people. Ron hadn't put off this long.
Now Harry realized it. He wasn't only alone in figuring the whole ordeal
out. He was alone altogether.
* * *
Autumn avoided Harry even more than she already did
after finding her note had been read. And Harry felt more lonely than ever
now that he noticed Ron wasn't around. He sent Hermione one last letter...
hoping that somehow it would get to her. He wrote her about how Autumn
was taking her letters, and how there was a new Beuxbatons girl coming
soon. He told her how Ron was ignoring him and how Malfoy seemed to be
nice.. or at least when Autumn was around. He sent it with a barn owl hoping
that it would throw Autumn off a little. He waited for a week but nothing
came. He wasn't quite sure where in America she was so he just kept waiting
by the Gryffindor window on his free time. He went down to see Hagrid once
in awhile but pretty much tryed to avoid Hagrid's cooking, the coffee cakes
were drilling holes into his teeth.
A week after, the Beuxbatons girl came and made
her place in Gryffindor tower. Harry was desperate to find out her full
name so he started off a conversation with her.
"Hey Emily. I'm Harry."
"Oh hello. I've heard so much about you. Well..
I guess almost everyone has.", she said with a giggle.
"Yeah well... welcome to Hogwarts. umm... I was
wondering.. what's your full name?", Harry asked rather shy.
"It is, Emily Autumnalli. You know my sister. Heinous.
We go to different schools because our parents are seperated.", Emily said
delighted she was talking to the famous Harry Potter.
Harry thought it strange, Emily
looked nothing like her sister. She had brown long hair, green eyes, and
was more thin than her sister. But when Emily pronounced her name.. Harry
caught a part of it that he was suprised he didn't see in Autumn's name
before. Their last name was Autumnalli. Or... if you said that in a certain
way.. it was Autumn-Nalli. Nalli. The name Hermione warned Harry about.
Now their were two. And he knew which one Hermione was talking about. Autumn.
He just hoped her letter would reach him in time.
A week later, there was no Hermione's letter, and
another death. Three deaths in one year. The ultimate record for Hogwarts.
No blood was found this time either. And even worse, Nobody could venture
out of their dorms unless for classes. And most of the students were having
memories of the recent years, where their teachers had to walk them down
corridors. Because this is what happened. Harry couldn't talk to anybody
about the sisters. Nobody would believe that they had something to do with
the killing. Ron didn't even speak to him anymore. Niether of the two girls
ever were seen at meals. Something was definatly going on that Harry had
to know about. But what would he do if nobody believed him?
*
*
*
Harry went through a few awefully long days
without making conversation with anyone. He was both sad and mad that Ron
wouldn't believe him about Autumn. He meet up with Malfoy in the hall..
an unfortunate mistake of timing.
"Hello Potter. I see that Weasle finally realized
how idiotic he was hanging out with you and all. Can't really blame the
boy though. He was starving for some attention. I guess he found that in
you Potter. Hey, why aren't you out trying to find the killer of all these
deaths?? You'd think you'd be out parading the grounds looking for clues.....
unless your already parading the grounds looking for victims. I think you
are pretty smart to be killing off all these stupid mudbloods.. just don't
get in my way Potter.", he turned and swiftly walked into Proffesor Mcgonagal.
"Malfoy, I advise you to get down to your commons
before I take 10points from Slytherin.", Malfoy ran off in the other direction,
turning once to smirk at Harry. "And as for you Potter, you'd better get
moving yourself.", she let a hint of a smile escape her mouth and walked
further down the corridier to repeat her lines to some Hufflepuff girls.
Harry turned up the stairs and into the Gryffindor commons. An owl flew
in just that second and landed ontop of Harry's head. He removed the tiny
owl and pulled the note from it's foot. He opened it and read softly to
himself.
Harry~
Sorry my letter took so long to get to you. It was hard finding an owl
fit to do the job-
Harry looked at the tiny owl and shook his head in disbelief.
The barn owl you sent got sidetracked and I didn't want that to happen
again. I'm sorry about
Ron. And you have to watch out. The girl on the plane, all I can remember
was that her name
was something like... Hinios or Henioius.. and then Autunalli or something
like that. Just be
careful. She... well.. Harry, she tryed to kill me. I had to use my magic
to stop her. And that's
why I can't go to Hogwarts anymore. Please be careful.
tell Ron hi, love you both~ Hermione
Harry was stunned. Autumnalli. He was right.
Autumn's real name was Heinous. Now all he had to do, was prove that it
was her. He just needed a little more information. Just a little.
Just then Autumn came into the Commons. She
apparantly saw the note because she quickly jumped and grabbed it out of
Harry's hands.
"Hey.. give that back Autumn. It's mine.", Harry
tried to do the beckoning charm but it wouldn't work. Something in Autumn
wasn't letting go to the letter.
"No. It's not yours. It has information in it that
you shouldn't read.", her voice carried quickly in the small room. Heads
turned towards Harry and Autumn.
"How do you even know.. you'd have to have read
it. Give it to me Autumn.", Harry was saying just as a hard object hit
him in the head from behind and knocked him out.
* *
*
Harry awoke with a start. He found himself
in the nurses wing with Ron and Autumn standing near the edge of the bed.
He could barely make them out due to the splitting headache that surged
through his mind. He couldn't quite remember what had happened and he was
extremly confused. His eyes opened a bit more and he could now make out
the two visitors.
"What happened?", he asked to find that his voice
was severly strained and it was difficult to get his words out.
"You were hit over the head with a broom. No one
knows exactly who did it though. They were all focused on you and out of
nowhere a broom hit you. There wasn't anybody holding it so it's hard to
find who did it. Are you alright?", Ron asked sympathetically.
"Yes.", Harry wanted to know more, but his throat
was begginning to get sore after only the three words he spoke. His whole
body felt limp and beaten like something that weighd far more than a broomstick
had beaten him within an inch of his life. Harry felt miserable, of course,
but he was still glad that Ron was talking to him.
He remembered Autumn and turned toward her. Her
eyes were narrowed into slits and her face wore a straight thin line where
her mouth was supposed to be. For some reason, she looked like she was
heaved up with anger towards Harry. This made Harry even more confused.
His thoughts were rapid as he tryed to fit in her stare to the other thoughts.
Almost nothing made sense. Harry, full of thoughts, soon fell asleep.
When Harry woke up, it was early on a Saturday morning.
He sat up in bed to see Hagrid at the entrance of the door.
" 'ello Harry. I heard the news and decided I better
come down ter check on ya. You all right 'arry?", he asked timidly.
"Yeah. I haven't seen you in awhile Hagrid. Where've
you been?"
"The Gweebles were given' me a hard time.", he showed
Harry his bandaged arm.
Hagrid set down the chocolates
he had brought Harry on the side table and left. Harry had noticed that
even Hagrid seemed more quiet and reserved. Harry decided to wait until
the nurse came back until he got up. The aches and pains had left but he
knew how annoyed she got when he got up and left without notice so he stayed
sitting in bed trying to figure the situation. He just couldn't piece it.
Deciding that he had had enough headaches to last a life time, Harry stoped
trying to piece puzzle pieces and took a look around the room. He wished
badly for anybody willing to talk to him.... instead.... he got Malfoy.
He was sitting up in bed reading a book trying not to notice Harry staring
at him. Finding his curiousity to take over, Malfoy jeered his head toward
Harry and let a scowl escape his face.
"Well, well, well... I didn't expect to see
famous Harry Potter out cold just because of a broom. Did it really
hurt that much Potter?", Malfoy spoke.
"It did hurt Malfoy. And why are you here
anyways? Don't tell me the broom got you to.", Harry said mockingly.
"For your information Potter, somebody tried
to strangle me.", Malfoy looked at Harry as if this was a goal he'd been
wanting to achieve.
"Well I don't blame them Malfoy, but really, what
were
you
thinking? Walking the halls with no muscles to back you up? Tisk Tisk..
really!", Harry said referring to Malfoys bodygaurds, Crab and Goyle. Malfoy's
eyes went piercing into Harry's.
"You know... we ARE alone in this room Harry. I
wouldn't push it.", Malfoy turned back to his book
*
*
*
After much convincing that he felt fine, Harry escaped Madam Pomfrey and
made his way to Gryffindor tower. It seemed to be around the afternoon
so he figured Ron would be in the common room waiting. One step into the
common room told him that no one was present. He sat down on one of the
chairs and waited for a sign of life. Any life. He didn't care if it was
Autumn or Emily either. Just as this thought approached him, a small owl
swooped into the room, landing on Harry's arm. Harry pulled the small note
from the owl and it flew off in eager for another request. Hoping it was
another letter from Hermione, he opened it quickly and began to read:
Harry~
Ron sent me an owl about what happened to you. It sounds as if things are
getting tragic
over there. I can't tell you how or why Heinious wanted to kill me.. but
I can tell you that your
right. I'm nearly positive that the deaths occuring have been comitted
by either of the two
Autumnallis. My parents said that if Dumbledore can convince the Magic
Council he can get
me up there for a week or two around Christmas. Meanwhile stay alert and
make sure
no one is messing around behind your back... Harry.. be careful.. Ron too!!
Write ASAP!!
love you both~ Hermione
Harry had proof now! He could show this to Dumbledore and Ron and he knew they couldn't turn it down. It was rock solid proof.. and it was all in his hands now. Autumn or Emily wasn't around to take it from him, he was free. Harry made the plans of when to release his evidence to Dumbledore. He was going to do it Monday afternoon at dinner. That way the Autumnallis wouldn't be able to get it from him. All weekend he was to go to the nurses wing and pretend his aches were coming back. There was no way they'd get it from him in there. Madam Pomfrey always made sure that the ill were gaurded. Then Sunday night he would convince Pomfrey that he felt much better and felt like he could return in the morning. Then Monday he'd be busy with classes all day... there was no way the sisters could get it from him if his plan worked. Niether of them were in his classes!! This was great! Harry tucked the letter into his pocket and crept up to his dormitory. He dressed into his night clothes for an early sleep and started to dream at once.
Common room: "Autumn say the chant! It won't fail.. I just know it.
It can't fail.
This is our last chance.. we have to try it." "Okay.. here goes: Mirrior
mirrior
on the wall, make the inscription tell this all!
sdrib dna, sredgdab, snoil, sekans
sdren fo loohcs eht si strawgoH
yug etirovaf ym si ocarD
eid meht ekam sdoolb-dum esoht esuac' "
"It's done." "good"
Harry woke up from his dream the next morning and thought about it
for awhile.. pretty stupid. The dream. It didn't even make sense. Oh well,
making sure he didn't waste any time, he dressed and made sure that the
letter was still in the pocket. Seeing that it was, he left Ron asleep
in bed and trudged down the dormitory stairs. He took the shortest possible
path to Madam Pomfreys. Once nearing the door he slowed his pace and held
his stomach like he was going to vomit. Harry was greatly thankfull for
his talent of acting for Madam Pomfrey had a sharp eye and could usually
tell if you were faking sickness or not. She assigned him a bed, pulled
the screen, and left. Finding that Malfoy had left, Harry sliped the letter
under his pillow and sat waiting for absolutly nothing. He couldn 't get
to sleep because of the early bedtime, so he pulled out the "Quidditch
Confessions" book and started to read it for a multiple time. The day went
by awefully slow and Ron came to make sure he was alright once he awoke.
Harry had the biggest urge to tell him about the letter but figured it
more safe not to.
Once the night finally did come, Harry did the planned
line about how he felt well enough to venture out in the morning and as
planned Pomfrey made him stay one more night in case he wasn't well. Monday
went by less quick than Harry had expected and Harry couldn't wait for
dinner.. he just had to get this out in the open. As dinner neared, Harry
became more fidgety with every minute. After what felt like forever, dinner
time came and Harry was less than prepared. He finished his supper quickly
and then walked in a steady speed up to the staff table. He approached
Dumbledore and shoved the note in his face.
"Proffesor Dumbledore, this is something that needs
to be read in front of the school. It's very urgent.", Harry spoke in a
low steady voice trying not to sound too childish. He felt proud that he
had his evidence. Dumbledore looked up at Harry with his sparkling blue
eyes and spoke.
"I think we can arrange that.", he stood up and
boomed out to the audience of students.
"Children. It has been brought to my attention that
this young fellow has a letter that he would like me to read to you all.",
he opened the letter. "The letter reads:
Snakes, lions, badgers, and birds,
Hogwarts is the school of nerds!
Draco is my favorite guy,
'Cause those mudbloods, make them die! "
The students sat in shock.. who
dared to play such a practicle joke of Proffesor Dumbledore?? A faint clap
came in the direction of the Slytherin table. Everyone turned to see Malfoy
clapping his heart out. Dumbledore spoke again, his eyes far from what
they had been moments ago, "Potter and Malfoy, in my office NOW!!" His
voice boomed throughout the hall making many of the students cringe. No
one had ever seen Dumbledore this angry before.. the situations have been
worse.. but never before has Dumbledore been seen this angry.
Malfoy, obviously scared
out of his mind, quickly jumped out of his seat and raced out of the Great
hall towards Dumbledores office. Harry, on the other hand, walked slowly
out of the Great Hall to meet up with Malfoy. They stood in near silence
until Dumbledore yelled at the others to remain seated and eating, he then
was heard walking down the hall and out. He said the password to his office
and the three entered. Harry and Malfoy not daring talk.. much less breath.
They followed Dumbledore up the spirl stairs and into his office. He walk
behind his desk and slammed his fists onto the table.
"You two sit down now! And
don't talk", Dumbledore shouted at the two as Malfoy started to open his
mouth. "What is the meaning of this? Haven't I tried hard enough to make
Hogwarts a wonderful fun school that invites EVERYBODY, muggles or not??",
he spoke strongly looking at Malfoy when he said muggles.
"Sir I assure you that I
had nothing to do with this whatsoever.", Draco pronounced dignified, his
chin at an angle.
"Oh really Malfoy?? Than
what was that wonderful show at the end?? I suppose you had nothing to
do with that??", Dumbledore replyed most sarcastic.
"Sir I..", Draco began,
just to be interuppted by Harry.
"He didn't have anything
to do with it. Nor did I proffesor. That wasn't the letter that I was going
to present to you. Hermione sent me a letter that stated some information
that I thought would be useful to the school. I don't know how my letter
changed but I have some idea. If you would let me explain.."
"Potter, with your reputation
at the school, I don't think we need anymore heroic deeds from you!! For
now you are both suspended from Hogwarts!! No questions asked. Pack your
bags boys, your leaving in the morning. And take one long look at Hogwarts,
for you'll be gone for four weeks.. where you choose to go during that
time is you and your gaurdians choice! Now kindly exit my office!"
*
*
*
Harry couldn't believe it. He had been suspended
from Hogwarts for a whole month! He didn't realize Dumbledore felt so fondly
about the school. Even though Harry hadn't done anything wrong, he knew
there was no talking to Dumbledore. The whole school seemed to have been
warped. Draco was actually acting nice at times, Ron didn't seem as close
to Harry, and Dumbledore wasn't as kind hearted and comprimisable. What
was happening to Hogwarts?? Now he wouldn't be able to find out.. not while
he was away.
After packing his bags and getting hedwig locked
in her cage, he called Uncle Dursley for information on where he should
go. Uncle Dursley, being what he was, just yelled at him and told him to
find somewhere else and that he wasn't going to take some nitwit rebel
into his home. Harry pondered on wether to call the Weasleys or the Grangers
and came to the conclusion of the Grangers. If they said he could stay
with them, then he and Hermione would get to talk about what was happening
at Hogwarts.
*RING* *RING* Harry crossed
his fingers waiting for someone to pick up the phone *RING* *RING* "Hello,
Granger residence", Hermione cut in.
"Hermione!! I'm so glad
you answered!! Umm... I've I've.. "
"Harry?? Oh My Gosh!! How
are you?? I'm soo happy you called.. this must be costing you a fortune!!
Where did you get a muggle phone??"
"Hermione calm down.", Harry
finally got in, "I've.. well.. I've been suspended for a month.. and I
need somewhere to stay.. I was wondering if.."
"Of course you can stay
with us.. I have so much to tell you. And I'm sure It's the same for you.
.. wait.... suspended?? Suspended?? Harry.. are you okay??", hermione
asked in a tone of disaproval.
"I'm fine.. it.. it was
just a misunderstanding. I'll tell you all about it when I get there..
ask your parents if it's alright. I have to be there by tomorrow morning.
McGonagle is going to see me off by portkey.", Harry tried to talk fast
so Hermione did get too freaked out. He heard a faint call and some low
conversation and the Hermione was back on.
"My mom says yes!! See you
tomorrow Harry!! I can't wait.. So.. why were you umm... ", Harry knew
it was probable difficult for hermione to say suspended.. it was probably
not a word often used around her house.
"Can't talk now Hermione..
I've..umm.. gotta go pack.. bye", he said quickly hanging up. He didn't
want to get too much into detail until he got to Hermione's.. he couldn't
wait!!
* *
*
The
next morning Harry woke up early and got dressed. He wanted a chance to
say a nice goodbye to Ron so he woke him up early... Ron, Harry assumed,
wasn't very pleased about that. They had a short conversation about Harry
leaving and coming back and then Harry gave Ron his invisble cloak so that
Ron could take good care of it. Ron stored it into his trunck and then
walked with Harry down to the port key which was a rubber tire located
a little off of Hagrid's cabin. Hagrid had been in town over the weekend
and was sadly not going to be there when Harry left. They waited until
it was near time and then Harry said his goodbye's to Ron.
"Your the man in charge while
I'm gone. So keep studying up on these deaths okay?", Harry asked. Ron
nodded his head and the two shoke hands and Harry got ready for departure.
Malfoy with him. Proffesor Mcgonagal counted down and as she said zero,
Harry and Malfoy were swept away into a mist of colors. Harry felt as if
they had been in the portkey for over a minute when he fell harshley onto
a shiny tile floor. Malfoy wasn't with him. Harry figured he had gone onto
another route. Dropped off on the way most likely.
"Harry?? HARRY!!! ", Hermione
came leaping into the room. "Welcome to America!! And my house!!"
"Hey Hermione.. I can't
wait untill you get home from school.. I have so much to tell you!", Harry
knew all about American schools and how they had them daily and not yearly.
"Mom said I could have the
school day off to talk with you!! For once she's being practicle!!", Hermione
giggled.
"That's great Hermione..
"
Harry got settled in and right when he was finally feeling comfortable,
Hermione and her mom shoved him out the door and into the car.
"Your gonna love the pizza place me and my mom found!!
She's gonna drop us off there and we can chat while we share a delicious
PaPa John's pizza!! It's gonna be great Harry!! I'm so glad...", Hermione
explained while buckling her seatbelt. The car took off and Harry rolled
down his window and hung his head out of it, making sure that he caught
a glance of all the treasures that may be hidden in this different country.
* *
*
Please R and R so that I know if I should bother to write the rest!! Feel
free to give me flames, complaints, comments, whatever you like! As long
as you R and R :) thank you for taking your time to read this, i really
worked hard to write it all! WHO CAN'T WAIT FOR THE HARRY POTTER MOVIE
COMING OUT NOVEMBER 17?? I CAN'T I CAN'T!! EVERYONE GO! I SAW PART OF THE
PREVEIWZ AND IT LOOKS REEEEALLLY GOOD!!
