Ye Olde Disclaimer: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Rurouni Kenshin names, etc. don't belong to me... yes, I am consciously aware of this, and yes, I swear that I am not making any money off of this story (at least not that I am aware of anywho). I don't have anything right now that you can take, anyway... Also, a lot of this is all J.K. Rowling's so I give her props. Everything you see that isn't familiar is, well, mine. Please do not use my original characters without my permission first- thank you ^_^.

Trinity Ferrell and the Heart of Darkness

First Year at Hogwarts

Chapter Nine- Halloween Prediction

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

That night, after dinner, Trinity and Howie headed down to the dungeons. "You sure that Professor Snape will let us use the restricted section of the library?" Howie asked nervously.

"I know he will. I've checked it out with Celeste, and she said he's let her use it before, too," Trinity said.

"He just doesn't seem the, uh, friendly sort of teacher," He was obviously surprised. There was a long pause, and he asked, "Why did she go in the restricted section?"

"Believe it or not, there are even some Quidditch books in that section," she sighed as they turned the corner. "She read about all these cheating tactics, like broom hexes and such, but so far she hasn't used them."

"Hopefully she'll never have to," Howie replied thoughtfully.

They stopped in front of the Potions classroom door. "All right, now I'll ask him, you just follow my lead, okay? You don't have to say a word if you don't want to."

"That's okay with me," Howie said quietly. "I don't want to lose Ravenclaw points for making Snape angry…"

Trinity smiled quickly at her friend's remark. "Ready?"

He nodded, and they entered the Potions room. Professor Snape was there, concentrating on a potion brewing on his desk and cursing under his breath. He glanced up from his work and smiled when he saw Trinity. "Ah, good evening, Miss Ferrell. Is there something I may help you with?"

Howie's eyes went large with surprise, but he managed to keep his jaw from dropping open. "Actually there is, Professor," Trinity continued. "I wanted to do a little research for the essay you assigned us, but all of the books in the library have already been checked out and-"

"There might be something you can use here. I can let you borrow a copy of one of my books," Snape quickly offered.

"That's very kind of you, Professor, but don't you need your books for your lessons this week?"

Snape paused, deep in thought. "I suppose you do have a point there, Miss Ferrell."

"Perhaps there is something in the… oh, say… restricted section I could use?" Trinity asked casually.

"I'm not to sure that's a good idea…" he murmured thoughtfully.

"It's alright, Professor," She just smiled. "I'm sure I can find a book by the time the essay is due. Thanks for your help anyway. See you in class tomorrow. Let's go, Howie."

"Anytime, Miss Ferrell."

Howie gave Trinity a puzzled look as they headed for the door, but she just flashed him a mischievous smile. Suddenly she stopped and turned around, right in the doorway. "Oh, Professor?" Trinity asked sweetly.

He looked up. "Yes, Miss Ferrell?"

"Daddy says hello."

Snape never moved so quickly to grab a quill and parchment in his life.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Now having access to the restricted section, Howie and Trinity spent most of their evenings searching for anything they could find on Voldemort's partner. So far they had no luck, but they wouldn't give up that easily.

Celeste's warnings about the North Tower, Trinity realized, were true. Professor Trelawney's "help" was more frustrating than passing out from her visions. Each class she reminded her to keep her Inner Eye pure, and poor Trinity had to sit down for "the talk"- which was beyond embarrassing.

It was Halloween in no time. Trinity was so busy with her Divination lessons, researching Darkheart, and her general studies that she barely made note of what day it was. Sure enough, her calendar was on October 31st.

"Halloween already," Trinity told her reflection in the mirror. "I wonder how Hogwarts celebrates?"

She remembered trick-or-treating, games, and parties in the Muggle world. For a moment she missed her parents and even her annoying baby brother. She wondered how they were doing, and how they planned on spending this Halloween.

As if answering her question, Parvati walked into the bathroom, excitedly giving details of that night's events to Hermione. "…And there's a big feast and floating jack-o-lanterns and real live bats!"

"Bats?" Hermione chewed on her lip.

"Yeah, that's what she told me, and she's a fourth-year," Parvati grinned. "I can't wait!"

Trinity was about to ask Parvati more about the celebration that night, but suddenly a wave of dizziness crashed over her.

'Please not now, please not now…' Trinity shut her eyes tight and pleaded.

For a split second darkness engulfed her, and then she woke up again. But this was not the same bathroom.

Trinity looked around, and suddenly she heard sobbing in one of the stalls.

She stepped over to the stall, and the next thing she knew the door was smashed open by a gigantic creature, and a small girl's figure was laying motionless on the floor.

Terrified, Trinity realized who the girl was.

Hermione.

"NO! Stay away from the bathroom!" Trinity screamed, snapping from her trance.

Parvati and Hermione gave her a funny look. "You okay, Trin?" Parvati asked worriedly.

Trinity stared at her two friends in horror. "Hermione, you can't- you shouldn't-"

"Shouldn't what?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"But my vision- it said- Hermione-"

"You had a vision of Hermione?!" Parvati gasped.

"I thought you passed out when you had visions," Hermione said.

"I did… I used to… but just now…" Trinity wasn't sure what had just happened.

"What was in your vision?" Parvati inquired excitedly.

The horrible vision of Hermione sprawled unconsciously before a hideous monster was still fresh and vivid in her memory. "I saw Hermione… and a monster… you can't go in that bathroom…"

"But 'Mione's already here in the bathroom," Parvati pointed out. "Maybe you were remembering a nightmare."

"No. Not this bathroom," Trinity felt dazed and her stomach tightened. "A different one… here in Hogwarts… and a horrible monster…" Her voice trailed and she suddenly felt stupid.

How could a gigantic monster run lose at Hogwarts?

"That's impossible, Trin," Hermione shook her head. "Hogwarts is the safest place in the wizarding world, no giant creature could just walk into the building."

"I suppose you're right." Trinity sighed.

But the vision still haunted her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

She went to tell Howie about her vision, but she couldn't find him. It wasn't until the feast that night when she saw him, sitting at the Ravenclaw table. He smiled as she approached. "Happy Halloween," he greeted.

"Happy Halloween, Howie." Her worries about her vision melted away with his warm smile. "There's something I wanted to tell you, something I saw earlier-"

Just then Professor Quirrell burst into the Great Hall, a look of pure terror on his face. Silence erupted as he stopped before Dumbledore's chair. Panting, he managed to speak. "Troll- in the dungeons- thought you ought to know." He passed out, crashing to the floor.

Silence turned into mayhem. Trinity turned to the color of chalk. "Oh no!" She mouthed, clutching onto Howie's arm.

Howie's eyes revealed his fear, but he tried to remain calm for his best friend. "Don't worry, it'll be fine… Dumbledore'll protect us." He tried to soothe her.

Bursts of violet-colored light crached through the air and silenced the horror-stricken students. "Prefects, lead your Houses back to the dormitories immediately!" Dumbledore bellowed.

The prefects began to herd their Houses together. "I'll send Kenshin," Howie told Trinity. "Don't worry, it'll be alright."

Suddenly someone grabbed Trinity by the arm roughly. She was about to cry out when- "Come on, Mum'll kill me if the troll eats you."

"Celeste!" By now Trinity was on the verge of tears. "Where's Hermione?"

"Don't worry, she's here somewhere. Let's go!" Celeste ordered.

Trembling, Trinity clung to her older sister's arm as they raced to the Gryffindor dormitories.

Once inside the portrait safely, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat loudly. Everyone turned their attention to her, pale-faced and silent. "I'll now run through the register. Please remain quiet until we know that everyone is present."

McGonagall went down the list of names, Trinity managed to squeak out a "here" when her name was called. She still held tightly to her sister's arm, and no matter how hard she tried she couldn't stop shaking.

Her vision once again flashed into her mind, but her mouth went dry and she couldn't speak.

"Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley… has anyone seen them?" McGonagall tried to hide the note of panic in her voice.

"S-she wasn't in class earlier… and she wasn't at the feast either," Lavender stammered. "I- I think she was crying in the girls' bathroom…"

Trinity's knees buckled. "Don't worry, Trin, it's all right," Celeste put a comforting arm around her little sister.

Professor McGonagall blanched and she quickly snapped out, "Prefects, make sure no one leaves this room." Then she raced out of the dormitory.

Nobody said anything for a long time. Celeste led Trinity over to a couch and nudged Alicia over so the two of them could sit. Moments later food appeared, and the shaken but ravenous Gryffindors slowly began to eat. Soon the entire common room was filled with chatter about trolls and with that came many theories about what happened to the three missing first years.

Trinity remained pale and silent, and despite the delicious array of food she had lost her appetite. "Trin, you have to eat something." Celeste fussed over her. "Your friends'll be fine. Don't worry. And Howie's much too smart to go chasing a troll. Everything will be all right, Trin. I promise."

She couldn't help but give a weak smile at her older sister's attempts to comfort her. She nibbled on a few scraps of food, but her stomach still churned and she felt sick.

Suddenly the portrait opened and three familiar first years entered the crowded common room. A wave of happiness overtook Trinity when she realized Hermione was safe. She motioned for her to come over and sit by her, but she seemed not to notice and sat with Ron and Harry instead.

She did not get a chance to talk to Hermione until things died down and everyone was sent up to bed.

"You were right," Hermione said from behind closed curtains. "I should have listened to you, Trinity. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry." Trinity said, changing into her nightgown. "I'm just glad you're safe."

"Thanks to Ron and Harry I am." Hermione sighed. "I'm exhausted."

"Running from a troll will do that I suppose." Parvati chirped from behind her bed curtains.

Hermione, Lavender, and Trinity burst into a fit of relieved giggles.

-----

It was late when Kenshin tapped on the window, but Trinity was still wide-awake. She let the beloved hawk in and he perched on her shoulder, nuzzling her as she untied the parchment from his talon.

She smiled and took in Howie's familiar writing, finding comfort in her best friend's written words.

Trin ~

Sorry this took so long to send, but it took forever to get to my room, and then I had to wait for my roommates to fall asleep.

I'm worried sick about you. Are you alright?

They told us three Gryffindor first years fought the troll, and are safe again in their tower. I'm glad nobody was hurt by that monster.

Did you have another vision? Is that what you wanted to tell me in the Great Hall? What was it about?

Send Kenshin back and let me know what's going on.

~ Howie

She scrawled her response quickly, telling him every detail of her horrific vision. She added the fact that she hadn't passed out when she fell under her trance, but instead spaced out very briefly. This was news that she couldn't wait to tell her parents and Professor Trelawney.

After petting Kenshin and presenting him a cracker, she sent him off out her window. As the hawk vanished from her sight, something caught her attention far below the tower.

Beneath the pale glow of the full moon, Trinity could make out a cloaked figure standing on the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Next to the figure stood a magnificent creature that took her breath away. A jet black pegasus blended in the dark shadows of the forest.

The figure seemed to look up at Hogwarts and a chill raced down her spine. She didn't know who this figure was, but she sensed they were up to no good.

Afraid that the mysterious person may see her too, Trinity quickly closed her window and slipped into her bed.

As she slipped into the dark warmth of sleep she wondered who the cloaked figure was, and if they had anything to do with a troll being lose at Hogwarts.

~ To be continued…