-Chapter Nine-
What Goes Bump in the Night
The glass shattered to the ground, and Hermione and Draco staggered to their feet. They looked at the window.
'What's happening?!' Hermione shrieked. The answer soon came, as a 10-foot-tall centaur galloped into the room, tossing things everywhere. Draco and Hermione pulled their wands from their robes, and raised them.
'Hermione, go!' Draco yelled. 'Go and get help!'
'I can't leave you here! You'll get hurt for sure!' Hermione shouted, avoiding one of the blasts that the centaur threw. She raised her wand to use some magic, but was kicked against the wall, causing her wand to knock out of her hands.
Harry and Ron came stumbling into the room with their wands. 'What's going on?' they shouted. 'Hermione! Are you OK?'
'I'm fine,' she groaned. Meanwhile, Draco was trying to stun the centaur, but the spell wasn't strong enough.
'I'll stay here and help Malfoy. Ron, you take Hermione and get Dumbledore!' Harry yelled.
'But-'
'NOW!' he repeated. Ron took Hermione by the hand and ran through the halls, searching for the stone gargoyle. Ron said the password (Hooting Owl), and it flung open.
'Professor Dumbledore!' Hermione shouted. 'Professor Dumbledore! Harry and Draco are in trouble!' They heard the bustling of footsteps, and Dumbledore rushed through the door, holding his wand.
'Come on, then, let's go,' he said hurriedly. They once again set off down the halls, and ran into the Head dormitories. What they saw next made Hermione scream with Fright, and nearly pass out; Harry was under the Endormia Curse, and Draco lay twitching on the ground from the Cruciatus Curse! They centaur still kept tossing things around the room frantically. Dumbledore raised his wand.
'Insentio lomada!' he shouted. Bright blue flames burst out of Dumbledore's wand tip. The centaru fell to its knees, and lay alseep on the floor. Dumbledore raised his wand once more, aiming it this time at Draco. 'Reducio alendra!' This enabled Draco to stop twitching, and lay unconscience on the floor. Finally, Dumbledore walked over to Harry, and placed his wand tip to the ice which had crusted over him. He muttered, 'Slymicone,' and the ice disappeared, and Harry collapsed on the ground next to Draco.
'Will...will they be all right?' Hermione asked, biting her lip, and tears welling in her eyes.
'Yes, yes; they should be coming round in a moment,' Dumbledore said calmly. 'As for the centaur, I cast a simple calming charm on it,' he added calmly. 'Usually, centaurs are gentle creatures, so, that makes me believe that somone-or something-scared it uncharacteristically, in order to make it that aggressive.' He turned on his heel, and faced the door. 'I shall go now. If anything else happens, by all means, don't be afraid to come and wake me again. Although I am quite puzzled as to how you, Mr Weasley, knew the password?' Dumbledore smiled. 'Well, good-night to the both of you. May you sleep peacefully.' He tip-toed out of the room, and he was gone.
Draco and Harry woke up a few moments later, both trying to reassure Hermione that they were quite all right.
'And what about you two?' Harry said. 'You all right?'
'I'm fine,' Ron replied, 'but Herm is slightly hurt.' They all turned to face Hermione. She had a long gash across the side of her neck, and her robes were torn in several different places.
After everything was somewhat sorted out, Hermione spoke up. 'Umm...what shall we do with the centaur?'
'That's simple,' Draco said. 'We do a spell to send it back.' He brandished his wand. 'Centaur almirro forest!' The centaur disappeared in a flash of light.
'Where did it go?' Ron asked quizzically.
'The forest, I expect,' Draco replied. 'Unless I've made a terribly mistake in the incantation, that is...'
'This excitement was enough for one day...I think I'll go take a warm bath,' Hermione said quietly. 'The Head bathroom is just down the hall...'
Hermione took a towl, and a pair of pajamas, and went out into the hall as quietly as she could.
The Head bathroom was enormous! It shined with the gold paint on the walls, and there were 700 different assortments of towels, shampoos and bubble-baths. Hermione took off her damaged robes, and slipped a foot into the water; it was surprisingly warm already, and it felt silky. She added some pink and purple bubbles. The bath tub was so big, that Hermione thought it to be an over-large swimming pool.
She eased her way into the water, and closed her eyes to relax. Hermione dunked her head under the surface of the water, came back up, and looked at the ceiling imploringly.
Hermione, not noticing this before, was rather amazed to notice a whole bunch of tiny yellow fairies to be dancing alight with glitter in their hands.
It was getting rather later, and Hermione had to admit that she was quite fatigued at this moment.
She climbed out of the water, and pulled on her pajamas; she exited the room, and went back into the Head dormitory. Harry wasn't there, nor was Ron, and Draco appeared to be in the bedroom already. Hermione tip-toed inside, and climbed into the bed next to his, feeling rather grateful that someone else was in the room, now that there had been so much danger in the night.
*
The next day was Saturday-usually thought of to be the first Hogsmeade visit of the year. However, seeing as how Gringotts had been robbed, all wizarding towns had been closed since (except, of course, if you counted Knockturn Alley).
Hermione spent most of the day practicing advanced spells in the library, with Ron, Harry, and Neville. Neville, being poor at spells, had to stick to the more basic ones, such as incendio, lumos, etc.
'Do you reckon we'll be tested on hexes at exam time in a month?' Hermione inquired.
'Well, I guess so,' Harry said. 'Better study them anyway.' Hermione flipped through the pages of Hexes: How to Curse the one you Hate by Mildred Perriwinkle.
Chapter 1
Your Basic Guide to Routine Hexes
The Nomardia Hex is most often used on regular hexing. That is to say, if you hex people regularly. This will enable the one you do it on to grow the body of a donkey (apparently what Muggles refer to as being like a half-centaur-type creature). This hex is one of the more easiest that you shall find in this book.
Hermione snapped the book shut. 'This goes on and on about nothing!' she snapped. 'Sheesh! You'd think they'd tell you the exact hexes, and then tell you what they do and how to do them! It's just a whole lot of nothing!'
'What's gotten into you, 'Mione?' Ron asked. 'You seem rather fractious today.'
'I don't know, just....it's nothing....nevermind,' Hermione sighed. 'Last night was just really exhausting, and when I don't get the sleep I need, I'm angry.'
'Well, OK, if you say so, 'Mione,' Ron said. BANG! Everyone looked towards Neville; he'd accidentally blown himself up with a flame charm instead of practicing a colour-changing charm.
'S-s-sorry!' he stuttered. 'I'm n-not very g-g-good at this...'
'That's all right, Neville,' Hermione said coolly. 'Here, want some help?'
'I....I guess so, yes,' Neville said nervously. 'You can start by teaching me t-the pronunciation o-o-of the colour charm.'
'OK, see, it's pronounced call-air-ee-um, with the sound of a "k", not the sound of an "s", got that?' Hermione questioned. They went on like that for another few hours.
*
It was 6 o'clock; Hermione was on her way back out to the Entrance Hall, because she wanted to take a quick walk down to Hagrid's. She got stopped along the way, however, by none-other than Professor Snape.
'Well, well, Miss Granger. We do seem to be travelling around the halls a lot these days, don't we?' he snarled, with a malevolant grin.
'Yes, Professor, we certainly do,' Hermione replied coolly. 'Now, if you'll do the honour of excusing me, I'm on my way to visit Hagrid.'
'Oh, really?' Snape sneered. 'Well, we'll just see about that; 10 points from Gryffindor for travelling around the halls at night, and admitting to be going out into the grounds.'
'Excuse me, Professor Snape,' Hermione said, 'but I do believe it is but evening, not night. Therefore, I am still allowed outside.' She smiled happily at him. 'And if you choose to take away points still, I'll take this to Professor Dumbledore.'
'Oh, will we?' he said, forcefully pulling his face into a twisted smile. 'Go along then, but be back by seven, or I will take away points from Gryffindor.'
'We'll see at seven, then, won't we?' Hermione grinned, satisfied with herself. 'Good evening to you.' She swept outside across the lawn, and knocked on Hagrid's door.
'All righ', all righ', I'm comin',' he said, grasping the door knob and opening the door. 'Oh! 'Ermione! Come in, then, come in.' Hagrid stepped aside to allow Hermione inside. She sat down in the giant-sized armchair, scratching Fang's ears.
'I've come to talk to you about the centaurs, to be honest with you,' she said abruptly. 'One escaped last night, into my dormitory.' Hagrid went pale as a ghost.
'Is...is that so?' Hagrid said seriously. 'Dear me, why didn' yeh tell me?'
'Because it was past four in the morning,' Hermione said briskly. 'Anyway, I want you to tell me just what, exactly, scares a centaur?'
'Well, like I said in me class the oth'r day,' he said slowly, sitting down across from Hermione, 'the on'y thing tha' scares 'em is people jumpin' out from nowhere!'
'Well,' Hermione said, folding her arms, 'did you see anyone come by last night, Hagrid?'
'O' course I did!' Hagrid said. 'Dumbledore came by me hut at seven las' nigh', but it was jus' ter have a cup o' tea.' Hermione frowned.
'Professor Dumbledore was inside the castle at seven, I remember seeing him,' she said hurriedly. 'How could he be outside at the same time?' Hagrid looked horrified.
'You mean ter tell me that that wasn' him that was with me?' Hagrid boomed. 'Then who was it?!'
'I'm not saying that the Dumbledore that visited you was the fake,' said Hermione flatly. 'I'm saying the one inside was.' Hagrid seemed to be looking around for something.
'Aha!' he said. 'Here it is...he sen' me a letter, he did. To inform me tha' he was comin'!' Hagrid game the folded piece of parchment to Hermione.
Dear Hagrid,
I'll be coming by at seven
To have a spot of tea with
You. If, of course, that is
All right?
Sincerely,
Dumbledore
'Hmm...yes, that seems to be his hand-writing,' Hermione said, searching the letter for anything odd. 'Did he say anything else while he was here?'
'Yes, he wanted ter know how I've b'in,' Hagrid said calmly. 'Asked me how them centaurs were.'
'Was he carrying anything with him?' Hermione inquired.
'Yes, yes, his pensieve so as ter put aside some thoughts he didn' want,' he said, taking a sip from his hip flask.
'And is there anything else that scares a centaur?' Hermione added.
'Between you an' me,' Hagrid whispered, 'there scared o' bright lights.'
'Interesting...thank you, Hagrid,' she answered. 'Have a good-night!'
'Yeah, you, too,' he said, waving. 'Don' be afraid ter come down again!'
Hermione wandered past Professor Trelawny so quickly, that she almost fell over. She was lost, thinking where to go. She rubbed her forehead in confusion, when she turned around and bumped into someone
'Oh, sorry, sir,' Hermione said. 'Oh-it's only you, Draco.'
'You look lost. Is everything OK?' he asked.
'I'm just...well, I had quite an interesting talk with Hagrid,' she replied sternly. 'Apparently, last night at seven, Dumbledore went to visit him.'
'So...? Can't the man visit a friend once and a while?' Draco said puzzledly.
'Don't you see? Dumbledore was in the castle at that same time!' she said shrilly. 'I mean, I know he's a great wizard, but not good enough to make a clone of himself!'
'Hmm...maybe we should go ask him what's going on?' Draco suggested. 'It might help.'
'I was just on my way to do that, but...I can't remember where the stone gargoyle is,' Hermione said nervously. 'Ohh, I'm out of my mind...I can't remember anything...'
'Um, you OK? You look a little pale.'
'I'm fine, just a little-' Hermione got knocked into a wall by the passing Crabbe and Goyle.
'Hey! Apologize for your actions!' Draco shouted. Crabbe and Goyle turned awhile.
'Uh...why should we apologize to a stupid mudblood?' Goyle said hotly.
'Because number one-she's not stupid, and number two-I can take points away from Slytherin if you don't agree to apologize!' he said angrily. 'And she's not a Mudblood, you oaf!'
'Now, what seems to be the trouble here?' said a cold voice, gripping Draco's shoulder so tight that he thought it would fall off.
'Nothing, Professor,' Draco said coolly.
'Looks as though you're trying to protect the little miss know-it-all,' Snape said maliciously. '10 points from Slytherin for your pathetic act of judgement.'
'What's that supposed to mean?!' Draco yelled, pulling free of the tight grip on his right shoulder.
'It means that you were caught helping the enemy,' Snape replied, forming a smile. 'Therefore, I'm taking away points. That will teach you to help someone from Gryffindor; Miss Granger, no less.'
'You know what? Why don't you just go make yourself disappear!' Hermione said shrilly. 'It's not like you're doing anything good here anyway!'
'50 points from Gryffindor for talking back,' Snape said, grinning viciously. 'And you will spend two nights of detention with Mr Malfoy, helping Hagrid clean out all of the centaur...well, I'll leave it up to you to find out what it is, because it honestly doesn't look like anything I've ever seen before. If you choose to insult my authority one more time, I will take this to the Headmaster, no matter how many snappy come-backs you come up with!' He turned on his heel so quickly that his cloak swished violently in the air.
'He is so cruel,' Hermione said, sneering as Snape disappeared. 'Why, if he weren't a Professor, I'd....well....do something bad to him!'
'Calm down, he's just a slimy git out to get you,' Draco mumbled. Then he put on a smile. 'Besides, we get to spend detention together.'
'I suppose so, yes,' Hermione said, finally putting on a smile of her own. 'I think I'll go see the Headmaster now.'
'Want me to come with you?' Draco asked, clamping a hand gently on her shoulder.
'No, that's OK, but thank you anyway,' Hermione said flatly. 'I don't quite know how long this will take...but I'll be in my room when I am done.' She kissed Draco on the cheek, and turned down the hall, and down a long corridor. She came to the stone gargoyle. 'Hooting Owl.' It opened up, and she stepped inside, knocking on the great oak door. She heard someone moving on the inside, then Dumbledore opened the door a crack.
'Yes?' he said, peering out of his half-moon spectacles. 'May I help you, Miss Granger?'
'Indeed. I have something important to talk to you about,' Hermione said. 'If I may come in, please, Professor?'
'Of course,' Dumbledore said, stepping aside. 'Have a seat.' Hermione looked around the room. In the closet, was something silver (the pensieve, which Dumbledore used for placing thoughts into), many small vases, and sitting on a green pirch, Fawkes the Phoenix.
Dumbledore sat down on a chair opposite Hermione, and his fingertips connected, his blue eyes gazing into her hazel ones, apparently trying to discover what the matter was.
'I see you have visited Hagrid,' Dumbledore said slowly, arching back into his chair, 'that is very interesting, as I was there just last night. Fascinating creatures, those centaurs, but quite frightful of lights, I am afraid.'
'Professor,' Hermione said quietly, 'someone has been going around disguised as you. While you were visiting Hagrid yesterday evening, another person much like yourself, was wandering the halls, looking for something, though it seems.'
'I see...' Dumbledore whispered, looking quite perplexed. 'Tell me, what do you think he was looking for?'
'A...a...um, if I tell you, promise not to tell my friends that I know about it?' Hermione said nervously.
'If I see them, I shall have temporarily have got laringitis on the subject,' he beamed. 'Do tell me, Miss Granger, what it is you think he was looking for?'
'I believe he was looking for the...the Gem of Earth,' she said quietly.
'Ah yes, I do believe that is the item that was stolen from Gringotts, unless I am mistaken?' Dumbledore said calmly. 'And tell me this; was he acting like anyone you know?'
'Well....yes,' Hermione said fearfully. 'He was speaking in a tone rather like Peter Pettigrew's...'
'Very clever of him to make a Polyjuice Potion,' said Dumbledore pompously. 'I do say, I wonder how he has been getting around the school to gather something off of me?'
'I've come to the theory that he knows an invisibilty spell,' Hermione said, leaning forward slightly, as though afraid someone would hear. 'You know...the alamopea charm?'
'Very wise of you to think that, Miss Granger,' Dumbledore smiled. 'Usually, students don't learn that one until sixth year; but then again, I expected no less from you. Oh, and about your friend, Draco? I believe he's scared right now. Why don't you go see what is the matter with him?'
'Scared? Draco? Oh, dear...I'll be on my way!' Hermione said shrilly, bouncing to her feet. 'Thank you, Professor!'
'You're very welcome, Miss Granger. Come anytime,' he said.
*
Draco was huddled in a corner of the room, hugging his knees, and acting very peculiar. Hermione came in.
'Draco, what's wrong?' she asked. Hermione moved forwards a couple of steps.
'Don't get too close...I might do something weird!' he warned her. 'Lucius....God, I hate my Father...no good...memories...oh, God, no good...'
Hermione looked very worried. 'Draco, please tell me what's wrong.'
'I, ah...got a letter from my Father,' he said timidly, rocking back and forth. 'It brought back a lot of bad memories...the beatings...torturing....God, he'll miss my screaming...'
'Draco, honey, why don't you come have a seat and we'll talk about this,' Hermione said, patting the bed for him to come sit down. He reluctantly got up, shaking all over, and sat down. 'Now, what kind of memories did it bring back?'
'It, um...' Silent tears flooded down his face, as he tried to go on. 'Listen, I n-n-never told you a-about my Father...' Draco took a deep breath, and looked Hermione in the eye. 'I don't like my Father. Ever since I w-was nine years old, he...he beated me...
'Just last year, I remember coming home f-from Hogwarts for the s-s-summer. He was so "glad" to see me...God...that night, he kicked me so hard against the dungeon f-floor that I broke my rib cage...' Hermione gasped, and put a hand over her mouth, trying to hold back her own tears.
'What did he, well...use...?' Hermione asked nervously.
'S-sometimes a cane, others a w-whip, but sometimes the....the...unforgiveable curses,' Draco said in a hushed voice, tears still streaming down his cheeks, though he didn't seem to notice. 'I remember the time he had me running around in the backyard. I tripped and fell, and he raised his wand and....and....did the cruciatus curse on me!' He buried his face in his hands, unable to speak anymore.
'Oh, God, Draco...' Hermione said, putting a hand on his shoulder. 'Why didn't you tell someone?'
'Because if he found out I'd told someone, he'd kill me!' he said in between sobs. 'Literally!' Hermione pulled him close, and squeezed him tight.
'It's going to be all right,' she whispered, running her fingers through his hair. 'I won't let you go back there.'
'But w-w-what will I d-do for the summer? I've got nowhere else to stay!' Draco said, laying his head down in her lap.
'You can stay at my house,' Hermione said. She wiped away some of his tears, and kissed him on the forehead. 'Do you want me to leave you alone?'
'N-no, p-please stay here,' he sobbed. He tilted his head up a bit. 'You're the only one w-w-who has e-ever loved me.'
'And I always will, you hear me?' Hermione said, stroking his cheek. 'I won't let Lucius near you at all. I promise, I'll do whatever I can to prevent it.'
'Thank you,' he said in an undertone, quieter than a whisper. He sat up, and looked at Hermione. 'I've never cried like this before.'
'Don't worry about it. It's a normal thing to do,' Hermione said with a slight smile. He kissed her softly on the lips, placing his hands around her waist.
'God, I love you,' Draco said when they pulled apart.
'And I you.' They looked out the window. 'What time do you suppose it is?' she asked. He took out a small watch from his robes.
'Almost 9 o'clock,' he answered. 'I think I'll go for a walk...clear my mind.'
'Do you want me to come?' Hermione asked sympathetically.
'No, I want to go alone,' Draco replied. 'Thanks for talking things over with me.' He placed a hand on her cheek.
'Anytime,' she replied. 'Well, run along. I'll be in Gryffindor common room if you need anything. The password is Limbius Ghoul. Anytime after 10 o'clock is fine, because everyone is either already asleep, or in their dormitories.'
'OK, thanks,' Draco smiled. 'So, I'll catch you up, then. Bye, Herm.' He exited the room. He began walking along the corridors, scratching his head, and looking kind of worried and scared. No matter who talked it over with him, the memories of Lucius Malfoy would haunt him forever. That's when a hand set down on his shoulder.
'Draco, is something wrong?' It was Snape. 'You look...troubled. If there is anything I can do...'
'I got a letter from Lucius, and I'd rather not talk about it, or I may start crying again,' Draco said nervously, biting his lip.
'Ah yes, you're Father...what is he up to, then?' Snape asked, in an actually kind voice. 'Let's step into my office; we can talk about it more privately in there. Follow me.' He ushered Draco into a dark room, with many potions and different items lying around. 'Please, sit.' He indicated a black chair, and Draco sat down. 'So. You're Father has written you,' Snape said, looking at the aggrevated expression on Draco's face. 'I daresay it must not be good news?'
'You're definitely right about that,' he replied, dumbstruck. 'He, ah...just wanted to remind me that the moment he sees my face is when he brings out the wand again...'
'Yes, I remember you saying how he liked to torture you in such ways,' Snape said, placing a hand on Draco's arm. 'My Father was the same way, too, Draco. There's no point in hiding it from each other any longer.
'So then, I suppose when you are eighteen, he will force you to become a Death Eater. Am I correct, son?'
'Yes, sir,' Draco said, his head hanging low. 'I don't want to, though...'
'I remember my Father telling me that I had no choice in the matter...yes, that was quite an insult to me, as I wanted to become a Professor, not some evil person in a cloak who loved to attack Muggles,' Snape said. His voice sounded distant, in some way. 'I never got what Father saw in attacking people who couldn't attack you back.
'As a boy, he brought me up to be evil in such ways as he was. That was part of the reason why he did the spells on me; to "bring me up to shape" in sinister acts.
'But no, I didn't want it. For years, I fought it, praying that matters would smoothe over soon enough. At my eighteenth birthday, Father came in with his wand, apparently going to give me the "initiation."
'All people who become Death Eaters have to go through an initiation, and a horrible one at that. You see,' he took a deep breath in, and let it out again, 'you have to get the mark, which I know you are aware of.' Snape pulled up the sleeve of his robe to reveal the Dark Mark; a black skull with a snake protruding from its mouth.
'When I was about twenty-three years old, I broke free of my Father's grip on my life, and came here to Hogwarts, where Albus Dumbledore accepted me as a Professor here, and since then, my life has changed.'
'So, what you're saying is that I shouldn't let my Father lead my life?' Draco asked quizzically.
'Yes, Draco. That's exactly what I am saying,' Snape said kindly, putting on the first real smile-not a smirk-that Draco had ever seen before. 'Just because Lucius wants you to be a Death Eater, does not mean it shall happen. Oh, and if he does any type of spell on you again, son, consider taking off his hands. That always works well.' He patted Draco on the shoulder and winked. 'Well, I should let you go. If you ever need to talk about something, you know where to find me.'
'Thanks, Professor,' Draco said with a smile.
'Please, call me Severus,' he said. 'Oh, but don't call me that in class. That's when I am a mentor, and not a personal aquaintence. And no need to apologize for sticking up for Hermione-I see that you care for her very much. Well, good-night, son.'
'Good-night, Pr-er-Severus,' Draco said, and left the room quietly.
*
'Ron! Ron!' Harry bellowed. 'It's confirmed-we're doing it tonight.' Ron turned around.
'Doing what tonight, praytell?' he asked.
'We're sneaking out to Gringotts!' Harry said anxiously. 'You know, to search for clues!'
'We can't do that!' Ron shouted shrilly. 'Do you have any idea how many people from the Ministry are there? We'll get caught for sure!!'
'Not if we use the invisibility cloak,' Harry smirked. 'C'mon, Ron; we gotta see what's going on!'
'I am NOT going!' Ron yelled, packing up his books.
*
Some four hours later, Harry and Ron were walking down to the Astronomy Tower to use floo powder to get to Gringotts.
'I can't believe I'm doing this,' Ron said warily, accidentally trodding on Harry's foot. Harry jumped, nearly knocking the invisibility cloak off of both of them.
'Yeah, well...' Harry said, 'we had to do it sometime, and you knew it.'
'I s'pose,' Ron replied glumly. 'What are we looking for, anyway?' Harry rolled his eyes, and shook his head.
'We're going to look for clues, Ron,' he replied miserably, 'to try and find out who stole this gem that everyone's talking about.' Ron was about to sneeze, but Harry placed a finger under his nose. 'Shut up, will ya?!'
'Sorry,' Ron whispered. Just then, they heard loud purring coming from up the hall. 'Oh, no...not Mrs Norris...' Harry peered around the corner; sure enough, there was Mrs Norris, alongside Filch, who seemed to be babbling about the dust that collects in the halls.
'Come now, my sweet,' Filch said, stroking his cat Mrs Norris around the ears. 'Let us go now. We've inspected every place in the castle, and no sign of anyone sneaking around; Severus, mind.'
Harry and Ron tip-toed into the nearest classroom until Filch was gone. They both tip-toed back into the hall once more, moving quietly, but quickly, on the floors. Once they had made it up to the Astronomy Tower, they lit up the fire place, and said 'Gringotts!' In a burst of green light, they were both swept from the depths of the castle, and into Gringotts bank.
What Goes Bump in the Night
The glass shattered to the ground, and Hermione and Draco staggered to their feet. They looked at the window.
'What's happening?!' Hermione shrieked. The answer soon came, as a 10-foot-tall centaur galloped into the room, tossing things everywhere. Draco and Hermione pulled their wands from their robes, and raised them.
'Hermione, go!' Draco yelled. 'Go and get help!'
'I can't leave you here! You'll get hurt for sure!' Hermione shouted, avoiding one of the blasts that the centaur threw. She raised her wand to use some magic, but was kicked against the wall, causing her wand to knock out of her hands.
Harry and Ron came stumbling into the room with their wands. 'What's going on?' they shouted. 'Hermione! Are you OK?'
'I'm fine,' she groaned. Meanwhile, Draco was trying to stun the centaur, but the spell wasn't strong enough.
'I'll stay here and help Malfoy. Ron, you take Hermione and get Dumbledore!' Harry yelled.
'But-'
'NOW!' he repeated. Ron took Hermione by the hand and ran through the halls, searching for the stone gargoyle. Ron said the password (Hooting Owl), and it flung open.
'Professor Dumbledore!' Hermione shouted. 'Professor Dumbledore! Harry and Draco are in trouble!' They heard the bustling of footsteps, and Dumbledore rushed through the door, holding his wand.
'Come on, then, let's go,' he said hurriedly. They once again set off down the halls, and ran into the Head dormitories. What they saw next made Hermione scream with Fright, and nearly pass out; Harry was under the Endormia Curse, and Draco lay twitching on the ground from the Cruciatus Curse! They centaur still kept tossing things around the room frantically. Dumbledore raised his wand.
'Insentio lomada!' he shouted. Bright blue flames burst out of Dumbledore's wand tip. The centaru fell to its knees, and lay alseep on the floor. Dumbledore raised his wand once more, aiming it this time at Draco. 'Reducio alendra!' This enabled Draco to stop twitching, and lay unconscience on the floor. Finally, Dumbledore walked over to Harry, and placed his wand tip to the ice which had crusted over him. He muttered, 'Slymicone,' and the ice disappeared, and Harry collapsed on the ground next to Draco.
'Will...will they be all right?' Hermione asked, biting her lip, and tears welling in her eyes.
'Yes, yes; they should be coming round in a moment,' Dumbledore said calmly. 'As for the centaur, I cast a simple calming charm on it,' he added calmly. 'Usually, centaurs are gentle creatures, so, that makes me believe that somone-or something-scared it uncharacteristically, in order to make it that aggressive.' He turned on his heel, and faced the door. 'I shall go now. If anything else happens, by all means, don't be afraid to come and wake me again. Although I am quite puzzled as to how you, Mr Weasley, knew the password?' Dumbledore smiled. 'Well, good-night to the both of you. May you sleep peacefully.' He tip-toed out of the room, and he was gone.
Draco and Harry woke up a few moments later, both trying to reassure Hermione that they were quite all right.
'And what about you two?' Harry said. 'You all right?'
'I'm fine,' Ron replied, 'but Herm is slightly hurt.' They all turned to face Hermione. She had a long gash across the side of her neck, and her robes were torn in several different places.
After everything was somewhat sorted out, Hermione spoke up. 'Umm...what shall we do with the centaur?'
'That's simple,' Draco said. 'We do a spell to send it back.' He brandished his wand. 'Centaur almirro forest!' The centaur disappeared in a flash of light.
'Where did it go?' Ron asked quizzically.
'The forest, I expect,' Draco replied. 'Unless I've made a terribly mistake in the incantation, that is...'
'This excitement was enough for one day...I think I'll go take a warm bath,' Hermione said quietly. 'The Head bathroom is just down the hall...'
Hermione took a towl, and a pair of pajamas, and went out into the hall as quietly as she could.
The Head bathroom was enormous! It shined with the gold paint on the walls, and there were 700 different assortments of towels, shampoos and bubble-baths. Hermione took off her damaged robes, and slipped a foot into the water; it was surprisingly warm already, and it felt silky. She added some pink and purple bubbles. The bath tub was so big, that Hermione thought it to be an over-large swimming pool.
She eased her way into the water, and closed her eyes to relax. Hermione dunked her head under the surface of the water, came back up, and looked at the ceiling imploringly.
Hermione, not noticing this before, was rather amazed to notice a whole bunch of tiny yellow fairies to be dancing alight with glitter in their hands.
It was getting rather later, and Hermione had to admit that she was quite fatigued at this moment.
She climbed out of the water, and pulled on her pajamas; she exited the room, and went back into the Head dormitory. Harry wasn't there, nor was Ron, and Draco appeared to be in the bedroom already. Hermione tip-toed inside, and climbed into the bed next to his, feeling rather grateful that someone else was in the room, now that there had been so much danger in the night.
*
The next day was Saturday-usually thought of to be the first Hogsmeade visit of the year. However, seeing as how Gringotts had been robbed, all wizarding towns had been closed since (except, of course, if you counted Knockturn Alley).
Hermione spent most of the day practicing advanced spells in the library, with Ron, Harry, and Neville. Neville, being poor at spells, had to stick to the more basic ones, such as incendio, lumos, etc.
'Do you reckon we'll be tested on hexes at exam time in a month?' Hermione inquired.
'Well, I guess so,' Harry said. 'Better study them anyway.' Hermione flipped through the pages of Hexes: How to Curse the one you Hate by Mildred Perriwinkle.
Chapter 1
Your Basic Guide to Routine Hexes
The Nomardia Hex is most often used on regular hexing. That is to say, if you hex people regularly. This will enable the one you do it on to grow the body of a donkey (apparently what Muggles refer to as being like a half-centaur-type creature). This hex is one of the more easiest that you shall find in this book.
Hermione snapped the book shut. 'This goes on and on about nothing!' she snapped. 'Sheesh! You'd think they'd tell you the exact hexes, and then tell you what they do and how to do them! It's just a whole lot of nothing!'
'What's gotten into you, 'Mione?' Ron asked. 'You seem rather fractious today.'
'I don't know, just....it's nothing....nevermind,' Hermione sighed. 'Last night was just really exhausting, and when I don't get the sleep I need, I'm angry.'
'Well, OK, if you say so, 'Mione,' Ron said. BANG! Everyone looked towards Neville; he'd accidentally blown himself up with a flame charm instead of practicing a colour-changing charm.
'S-s-sorry!' he stuttered. 'I'm n-not very g-g-good at this...'
'That's all right, Neville,' Hermione said coolly. 'Here, want some help?'
'I....I guess so, yes,' Neville said nervously. 'You can start by teaching me t-the pronunciation o-o-of the colour charm.'
'OK, see, it's pronounced call-air-ee-um, with the sound of a "k", not the sound of an "s", got that?' Hermione questioned. They went on like that for another few hours.
*
It was 6 o'clock; Hermione was on her way back out to the Entrance Hall, because she wanted to take a quick walk down to Hagrid's. She got stopped along the way, however, by none-other than Professor Snape.
'Well, well, Miss Granger. We do seem to be travelling around the halls a lot these days, don't we?' he snarled, with a malevolant grin.
'Yes, Professor, we certainly do,' Hermione replied coolly. 'Now, if you'll do the honour of excusing me, I'm on my way to visit Hagrid.'
'Oh, really?' Snape sneered. 'Well, we'll just see about that; 10 points from Gryffindor for travelling around the halls at night, and admitting to be going out into the grounds.'
'Excuse me, Professor Snape,' Hermione said, 'but I do believe it is but evening, not night. Therefore, I am still allowed outside.' She smiled happily at him. 'And if you choose to take away points still, I'll take this to Professor Dumbledore.'
'Oh, will we?' he said, forcefully pulling his face into a twisted smile. 'Go along then, but be back by seven, or I will take away points from Gryffindor.'
'We'll see at seven, then, won't we?' Hermione grinned, satisfied with herself. 'Good evening to you.' She swept outside across the lawn, and knocked on Hagrid's door.
'All righ', all righ', I'm comin',' he said, grasping the door knob and opening the door. 'Oh! 'Ermione! Come in, then, come in.' Hagrid stepped aside to allow Hermione inside. She sat down in the giant-sized armchair, scratching Fang's ears.
'I've come to talk to you about the centaurs, to be honest with you,' she said abruptly. 'One escaped last night, into my dormitory.' Hagrid went pale as a ghost.
'Is...is that so?' Hagrid said seriously. 'Dear me, why didn' yeh tell me?'
'Because it was past four in the morning,' Hermione said briskly. 'Anyway, I want you to tell me just what, exactly, scares a centaur?'
'Well, like I said in me class the oth'r day,' he said slowly, sitting down across from Hermione, 'the on'y thing tha' scares 'em is people jumpin' out from nowhere!'
'Well,' Hermione said, folding her arms, 'did you see anyone come by last night, Hagrid?'
'O' course I did!' Hagrid said. 'Dumbledore came by me hut at seven las' nigh', but it was jus' ter have a cup o' tea.' Hermione frowned.
'Professor Dumbledore was inside the castle at seven, I remember seeing him,' she said hurriedly. 'How could he be outside at the same time?' Hagrid looked horrified.
'You mean ter tell me that that wasn' him that was with me?' Hagrid boomed. 'Then who was it?!'
'I'm not saying that the Dumbledore that visited you was the fake,' said Hermione flatly. 'I'm saying the one inside was.' Hagrid seemed to be looking around for something.
'Aha!' he said. 'Here it is...he sen' me a letter, he did. To inform me tha' he was comin'!' Hagrid game the folded piece of parchment to Hermione.
Dear Hagrid,
I'll be coming by at seven
To have a spot of tea with
You. If, of course, that is
All right?
Sincerely,
Dumbledore
'Hmm...yes, that seems to be his hand-writing,' Hermione said, searching the letter for anything odd. 'Did he say anything else while he was here?'
'Yes, he wanted ter know how I've b'in,' Hagrid said calmly. 'Asked me how them centaurs were.'
'Was he carrying anything with him?' Hermione inquired.
'Yes, yes, his pensieve so as ter put aside some thoughts he didn' want,' he said, taking a sip from his hip flask.
'And is there anything else that scares a centaur?' Hermione added.
'Between you an' me,' Hagrid whispered, 'there scared o' bright lights.'
'Interesting...thank you, Hagrid,' she answered. 'Have a good-night!'
'Yeah, you, too,' he said, waving. 'Don' be afraid ter come down again!'
Hermione wandered past Professor Trelawny so quickly, that she almost fell over. She was lost, thinking where to go. She rubbed her forehead in confusion, when she turned around and bumped into someone
'Oh, sorry, sir,' Hermione said. 'Oh-it's only you, Draco.'
'You look lost. Is everything OK?' he asked.
'I'm just...well, I had quite an interesting talk with Hagrid,' she replied sternly. 'Apparently, last night at seven, Dumbledore went to visit him.'
'So...? Can't the man visit a friend once and a while?' Draco said puzzledly.
'Don't you see? Dumbledore was in the castle at that same time!' she said shrilly. 'I mean, I know he's a great wizard, but not good enough to make a clone of himself!'
'Hmm...maybe we should go ask him what's going on?' Draco suggested. 'It might help.'
'I was just on my way to do that, but...I can't remember where the stone gargoyle is,' Hermione said nervously. 'Ohh, I'm out of my mind...I can't remember anything...'
'Um, you OK? You look a little pale.'
'I'm fine, just a little-' Hermione got knocked into a wall by the passing Crabbe and Goyle.
'Hey! Apologize for your actions!' Draco shouted. Crabbe and Goyle turned awhile.
'Uh...why should we apologize to a stupid mudblood?' Goyle said hotly.
'Because number one-she's not stupid, and number two-I can take points away from Slytherin if you don't agree to apologize!' he said angrily. 'And she's not a Mudblood, you oaf!'
'Now, what seems to be the trouble here?' said a cold voice, gripping Draco's shoulder so tight that he thought it would fall off.
'Nothing, Professor,' Draco said coolly.
'Looks as though you're trying to protect the little miss know-it-all,' Snape said maliciously. '10 points from Slytherin for your pathetic act of judgement.'
'What's that supposed to mean?!' Draco yelled, pulling free of the tight grip on his right shoulder.
'It means that you were caught helping the enemy,' Snape replied, forming a smile. 'Therefore, I'm taking away points. That will teach you to help someone from Gryffindor; Miss Granger, no less.'
'You know what? Why don't you just go make yourself disappear!' Hermione said shrilly. 'It's not like you're doing anything good here anyway!'
'50 points from Gryffindor for talking back,' Snape said, grinning viciously. 'And you will spend two nights of detention with Mr Malfoy, helping Hagrid clean out all of the centaur...well, I'll leave it up to you to find out what it is, because it honestly doesn't look like anything I've ever seen before. If you choose to insult my authority one more time, I will take this to the Headmaster, no matter how many snappy come-backs you come up with!' He turned on his heel so quickly that his cloak swished violently in the air.
'He is so cruel,' Hermione said, sneering as Snape disappeared. 'Why, if he weren't a Professor, I'd....well....do something bad to him!'
'Calm down, he's just a slimy git out to get you,' Draco mumbled. Then he put on a smile. 'Besides, we get to spend detention together.'
'I suppose so, yes,' Hermione said, finally putting on a smile of her own. 'I think I'll go see the Headmaster now.'
'Want me to come with you?' Draco asked, clamping a hand gently on her shoulder.
'No, that's OK, but thank you anyway,' Hermione said flatly. 'I don't quite know how long this will take...but I'll be in my room when I am done.' She kissed Draco on the cheek, and turned down the hall, and down a long corridor. She came to the stone gargoyle. 'Hooting Owl.' It opened up, and she stepped inside, knocking on the great oak door. She heard someone moving on the inside, then Dumbledore opened the door a crack.
'Yes?' he said, peering out of his half-moon spectacles. 'May I help you, Miss Granger?'
'Indeed. I have something important to talk to you about,' Hermione said. 'If I may come in, please, Professor?'
'Of course,' Dumbledore said, stepping aside. 'Have a seat.' Hermione looked around the room. In the closet, was something silver (the pensieve, which Dumbledore used for placing thoughts into), many small vases, and sitting on a green pirch, Fawkes the Phoenix.
Dumbledore sat down on a chair opposite Hermione, and his fingertips connected, his blue eyes gazing into her hazel ones, apparently trying to discover what the matter was.
'I see you have visited Hagrid,' Dumbledore said slowly, arching back into his chair, 'that is very interesting, as I was there just last night. Fascinating creatures, those centaurs, but quite frightful of lights, I am afraid.'
'Professor,' Hermione said quietly, 'someone has been going around disguised as you. While you were visiting Hagrid yesterday evening, another person much like yourself, was wandering the halls, looking for something, though it seems.'
'I see...' Dumbledore whispered, looking quite perplexed. 'Tell me, what do you think he was looking for?'
'A...a...um, if I tell you, promise not to tell my friends that I know about it?' Hermione said nervously.
'If I see them, I shall have temporarily have got laringitis on the subject,' he beamed. 'Do tell me, Miss Granger, what it is you think he was looking for?'
'I believe he was looking for the...the Gem of Earth,' she said quietly.
'Ah yes, I do believe that is the item that was stolen from Gringotts, unless I am mistaken?' Dumbledore said calmly. 'And tell me this; was he acting like anyone you know?'
'Well....yes,' Hermione said fearfully. 'He was speaking in a tone rather like Peter Pettigrew's...'
'Very clever of him to make a Polyjuice Potion,' said Dumbledore pompously. 'I do say, I wonder how he has been getting around the school to gather something off of me?'
'I've come to the theory that he knows an invisibilty spell,' Hermione said, leaning forward slightly, as though afraid someone would hear. 'You know...the alamopea charm?'
'Very wise of you to think that, Miss Granger,' Dumbledore smiled. 'Usually, students don't learn that one until sixth year; but then again, I expected no less from you. Oh, and about your friend, Draco? I believe he's scared right now. Why don't you go see what is the matter with him?'
'Scared? Draco? Oh, dear...I'll be on my way!' Hermione said shrilly, bouncing to her feet. 'Thank you, Professor!'
'You're very welcome, Miss Granger. Come anytime,' he said.
*
Draco was huddled in a corner of the room, hugging his knees, and acting very peculiar. Hermione came in.
'Draco, what's wrong?' she asked. Hermione moved forwards a couple of steps.
'Don't get too close...I might do something weird!' he warned her. 'Lucius....God, I hate my Father...no good...memories...oh, God, no good...'
Hermione looked very worried. 'Draco, please tell me what's wrong.'
'I, ah...got a letter from my Father,' he said timidly, rocking back and forth. 'It brought back a lot of bad memories...the beatings...torturing....God, he'll miss my screaming...'
'Draco, honey, why don't you come have a seat and we'll talk about this,' Hermione said, patting the bed for him to come sit down. He reluctantly got up, shaking all over, and sat down. 'Now, what kind of memories did it bring back?'
'It, um...' Silent tears flooded down his face, as he tried to go on. 'Listen, I n-n-never told you a-about my Father...' Draco took a deep breath, and looked Hermione in the eye. 'I don't like my Father. Ever since I w-was nine years old, he...he beated me...
'Just last year, I remember coming home f-from Hogwarts for the s-s-summer. He was so "glad" to see me...God...that night, he kicked me so hard against the dungeon f-floor that I broke my rib cage...' Hermione gasped, and put a hand over her mouth, trying to hold back her own tears.
'What did he, well...use...?' Hermione asked nervously.
'S-sometimes a cane, others a w-whip, but sometimes the....the...unforgiveable curses,' Draco said in a hushed voice, tears still streaming down his cheeks, though he didn't seem to notice. 'I remember the time he had me running around in the backyard. I tripped and fell, and he raised his wand and....and....did the cruciatus curse on me!' He buried his face in his hands, unable to speak anymore.
'Oh, God, Draco...' Hermione said, putting a hand on his shoulder. 'Why didn't you tell someone?'
'Because if he found out I'd told someone, he'd kill me!' he said in between sobs. 'Literally!' Hermione pulled him close, and squeezed him tight.
'It's going to be all right,' she whispered, running her fingers through his hair. 'I won't let you go back there.'
'But w-w-what will I d-do for the summer? I've got nowhere else to stay!' Draco said, laying his head down in her lap.
'You can stay at my house,' Hermione said. She wiped away some of his tears, and kissed him on the forehead. 'Do you want me to leave you alone?'
'N-no, p-please stay here,' he sobbed. He tilted his head up a bit. 'You're the only one w-w-who has e-ever loved me.'
'And I always will, you hear me?' Hermione said, stroking his cheek. 'I won't let Lucius near you at all. I promise, I'll do whatever I can to prevent it.'
'Thank you,' he said in an undertone, quieter than a whisper. He sat up, and looked at Hermione. 'I've never cried like this before.'
'Don't worry about it. It's a normal thing to do,' Hermione said with a slight smile. He kissed her softly on the lips, placing his hands around her waist.
'God, I love you,' Draco said when they pulled apart.
'And I you.' They looked out the window. 'What time do you suppose it is?' she asked. He took out a small watch from his robes.
'Almost 9 o'clock,' he answered. 'I think I'll go for a walk...clear my mind.'
'Do you want me to come?' Hermione asked sympathetically.
'No, I want to go alone,' Draco replied. 'Thanks for talking things over with me.' He placed a hand on her cheek.
'Anytime,' she replied. 'Well, run along. I'll be in Gryffindor common room if you need anything. The password is Limbius Ghoul. Anytime after 10 o'clock is fine, because everyone is either already asleep, or in their dormitories.'
'OK, thanks,' Draco smiled. 'So, I'll catch you up, then. Bye, Herm.' He exited the room. He began walking along the corridors, scratching his head, and looking kind of worried and scared. No matter who talked it over with him, the memories of Lucius Malfoy would haunt him forever. That's when a hand set down on his shoulder.
'Draco, is something wrong?' It was Snape. 'You look...troubled. If there is anything I can do...'
'I got a letter from Lucius, and I'd rather not talk about it, or I may start crying again,' Draco said nervously, biting his lip.
'Ah yes, you're Father...what is he up to, then?' Snape asked, in an actually kind voice. 'Let's step into my office; we can talk about it more privately in there. Follow me.' He ushered Draco into a dark room, with many potions and different items lying around. 'Please, sit.' He indicated a black chair, and Draco sat down. 'So. You're Father has written you,' Snape said, looking at the aggrevated expression on Draco's face. 'I daresay it must not be good news?'
'You're definitely right about that,' he replied, dumbstruck. 'He, ah...just wanted to remind me that the moment he sees my face is when he brings out the wand again...'
'Yes, I remember you saying how he liked to torture you in such ways,' Snape said, placing a hand on Draco's arm. 'My Father was the same way, too, Draco. There's no point in hiding it from each other any longer.
'So then, I suppose when you are eighteen, he will force you to become a Death Eater. Am I correct, son?'
'Yes, sir,' Draco said, his head hanging low. 'I don't want to, though...'
'I remember my Father telling me that I had no choice in the matter...yes, that was quite an insult to me, as I wanted to become a Professor, not some evil person in a cloak who loved to attack Muggles,' Snape said. His voice sounded distant, in some way. 'I never got what Father saw in attacking people who couldn't attack you back.
'As a boy, he brought me up to be evil in such ways as he was. That was part of the reason why he did the spells on me; to "bring me up to shape" in sinister acts.
'But no, I didn't want it. For years, I fought it, praying that matters would smoothe over soon enough. At my eighteenth birthday, Father came in with his wand, apparently going to give me the "initiation."
'All people who become Death Eaters have to go through an initiation, and a horrible one at that. You see,' he took a deep breath in, and let it out again, 'you have to get the mark, which I know you are aware of.' Snape pulled up the sleeve of his robe to reveal the Dark Mark; a black skull with a snake protruding from its mouth.
'When I was about twenty-three years old, I broke free of my Father's grip on my life, and came here to Hogwarts, where Albus Dumbledore accepted me as a Professor here, and since then, my life has changed.'
'So, what you're saying is that I shouldn't let my Father lead my life?' Draco asked quizzically.
'Yes, Draco. That's exactly what I am saying,' Snape said kindly, putting on the first real smile-not a smirk-that Draco had ever seen before. 'Just because Lucius wants you to be a Death Eater, does not mean it shall happen. Oh, and if he does any type of spell on you again, son, consider taking off his hands. That always works well.' He patted Draco on the shoulder and winked. 'Well, I should let you go. If you ever need to talk about something, you know where to find me.'
'Thanks, Professor,' Draco said with a smile.
'Please, call me Severus,' he said. 'Oh, but don't call me that in class. That's when I am a mentor, and not a personal aquaintence. And no need to apologize for sticking up for Hermione-I see that you care for her very much. Well, good-night, son.'
'Good-night, Pr-er-Severus,' Draco said, and left the room quietly.
*
'Ron! Ron!' Harry bellowed. 'It's confirmed-we're doing it tonight.' Ron turned around.
'Doing what tonight, praytell?' he asked.
'We're sneaking out to Gringotts!' Harry said anxiously. 'You know, to search for clues!'
'We can't do that!' Ron shouted shrilly. 'Do you have any idea how many people from the Ministry are there? We'll get caught for sure!!'
'Not if we use the invisibility cloak,' Harry smirked. 'C'mon, Ron; we gotta see what's going on!'
'I am NOT going!' Ron yelled, packing up his books.
*
Some four hours later, Harry and Ron were walking down to the Astronomy Tower to use floo powder to get to Gringotts.
'I can't believe I'm doing this,' Ron said warily, accidentally trodding on Harry's foot. Harry jumped, nearly knocking the invisibility cloak off of both of them.
'Yeah, well...' Harry said, 'we had to do it sometime, and you knew it.'
'I s'pose,' Ron replied glumly. 'What are we looking for, anyway?' Harry rolled his eyes, and shook his head.
'We're going to look for clues, Ron,' he replied miserably, 'to try and find out who stole this gem that everyone's talking about.' Ron was about to sneeze, but Harry placed a finger under his nose. 'Shut up, will ya?!'
'Sorry,' Ron whispered. Just then, they heard loud purring coming from up the hall. 'Oh, no...not Mrs Norris...' Harry peered around the corner; sure enough, there was Mrs Norris, alongside Filch, who seemed to be babbling about the dust that collects in the halls.
'Come now, my sweet,' Filch said, stroking his cat Mrs Norris around the ears. 'Let us go now. We've inspected every place in the castle, and no sign of anyone sneaking around; Severus, mind.'
Harry and Ron tip-toed into the nearest classroom until Filch was gone. They both tip-toed back into the hall once more, moving quietly, but quickly, on the floors. Once they had made it up to the Astronomy Tower, they lit up the fire place, and said 'Gringotts!' In a burst of green light, they were both swept from the depths of the castle, and into Gringotts bank.