Protection- Part ten

Protection- Part ten

Dumbledore didn't lead them to the Comfortable Room this time. After passing several passages they came across a large and extremely ugly stone gargoyle.

Ron, Hermione and Cho, unlike Harry, have never been in Dumbledore's office, so they didn't know where he was leading them.

Dumbledore said the password ('Banana Cheese' A/N- It can be a candy!) and led them in. Only then the three noticed that the Heads of Houses were following Dumbledore too.

Dumbledore's office was a beautiful circular room, it was very pleasant. 'Almost like the Comfortable Room,' thought Ron.

Dumbledore ordered them to sit down in front of his table. The Heads of Houses were standing behind them and Dumbledore was pacing behind his desk.

Suddenly, Fawkes left his place and started flying around the room.

At first he just flew like that while everyone looked at him. Then he circled around Cho, Ron and Hermione several times.

But eventually he perched himself in Hermione's lap. This time even Dumbledore was amazed.

Hermione was just looking at the bird.

Fawkes started singing softly; he tilted his head so it rested on one of Hermione's shoulders. Everyone in the room was watching quietly.

Hermione started stroking Fawkes' feathers. He continued singing.

'You know where he is, don't you?' Hermione said to the beautiful bird. 'Is he all right? Is he safe? Does he…?'

Hermione started to cry. Fawkes stopped singing and looked at her.

For a moment they were looking into each other's eyes.

Hermione was the one to break the connection.

'I - I don't want to know anymore,' she covered her face with her hands to cover her tears.

Fawkes took off to his perch again where he appeared to fall a sleep.

^¿^

There was silence in the room.

Hermione was crying; Ron and Cho were at a loss; Prof. McGonagall's hands were on her mouth; Snape was pacing around the room and Dumbledore was looking intensely at Hermione.

'What did Fawkes say?' said Dumbledore finally.

'Why should I tell you?' answered Hermione.

Everyone gasped. Dumbledore just smiled.

'So you can talk to birds,' he said. 'What's next, Mr. Weasley can talk to mammals?'

It wasn't what he said that scared everyone, though it did alarm them. It was the way he said it. He said it with a smirk and an unfamiliar glimmer in his eyes, not the familiar happy one. It was different. It almost looked evil.

Prof. McGonagall and Snape seized Ron and Cho's hands and pulled them away from Dumbledore. There was nothing they could do for Hermione.

'What did the bird tell you?' said Dumbledore again.

'You can't touch me,' answered Hermione.

'Stupid girl! There is nothing you can do!' Dumbledore was angry. Dumbledore was never angry. 'Tell me what you know!'

Ron, Cho and the teachers were stunned but that was nothing. Not until Dumbledore pointed his wand at them they knew what 'stunned' means.

'I will kill them if you won't tell me what you know,' said Dumbledore.

J J J J J

A/N- Ooooooooo, another cliffhanger! I'm so proud! Please review. Or else! (and I mean it).

A very big thanks to all the very nice people who review my story- Lilly Potter, The Contemplator, Lola, Moondragon, Jason, lyndsay (did I get it right?), tiggerluver, Some Girl, Danielle, Rufus, debra, Dreamer, Zara, Kathy, it's just me, Griffin, Caramel and Demon_Child (OK, if I tell you the answer, isn't it possible that you'll know who it is before I won't you to? No way, dear *evil grin*).

Disclaimer- I only own the plot.

I guess I'll see you in a bit *evil grin*

Cat A. Samwise.