Angel of the Apocalypse
Chapter Three: Visions
Ginny wasn't feeling too well about what was happening to her. She always thought that she was different, but she never thought of herself as a freak before until now. The only person she could be around with was Gavin. And that didn't leave many options. The guy didn't have much personality. The little lizard with him had more personality than he did.
Gavin was stoic and serious. Not that Ginny could blame him. However, he could have stood to have more meaningful conversation. He answered her questions as they came, but never offered any information unless asked.
She was outside on the grounds by herself with Gavin and the little lizard. "You said he didn't have name? Why?" asked Ginny.
"I do not know. I was given my name, but my superiors did not name him," said Gavin simply.
"We should give him a name. Well, you won't I will. Let's see what kind of name should I give you?" she asked the little lizard. Ginny had no idea that the lizard was actually a dragon. It started to strut around as soon as he realized that Ginny was talking about him.
"Show off," scoffed Gavin. The little dragon looked at him with a scowl. Gavin turned his head away from it.
It was at that moment that Ginny laughed for the first time around Gavin. He seemed more like a fifteen-year-old boy. He still hadn't answered what kind of species he was. As far as Ginny knew, he looked human. "He looks like that dragons that my brother, Charlie, works with," she said and the little dragon perked up and started to jump up and down to show that she was right. "But, you're too small to be a real dragon," she added.
Gavin actually laughed at her comment because of the look on the little dragon's face. (AN: "I'm travel size for your convenience." – Mooshu, the little dragon from Mulan) He looked so insulted. Ginny was still thinking of a name for the little dragon that she thought was just an unusually colored lizard. "Pendragon. That's a good name for him. Pendragon is the last name of one of the most famous kings of legend. Arthur Pendragon. The dragon was his symbol," said Ginny with a smile.
"It sounds better than Pigwidgeon," commented Gavin.
"You are so annoying," said Ginny as she let newly named Pendragon on her lap. He liked her very much. She wasn't like his master. She was actually nice to him and gave him treats. He had a thing for meatballs.
People were starting to notice how much time they spent together and started to assume that they were dating. Ginny for the most part ignored it because she had to stay away from everyone else. After that close call with Harry, she knew better. She still didn't like what the future held for her, but time was starting to run out slowly.
Harry wasn't too happy for some strange reason. Ginny is Ron's younger sister. I'm just worried because she's like my little sister. Who is this Gavin? These were the thoughts that filled Harry's head whenever he saw them. He noticed that Ginny chose to stay way from everyone else unless she could avoid it. The times where she seemed most nervous were during the meals. Gavin for his part was a quiet person who didn't say much unless spoken to. He seemed so much older than anyone thought he was. He was also beating Hermione on some of the quizzes, which was a mystery because it didn't look like he studied. While Ginny was studying, Gavin would just sit with her looking after her.
They didn't act like a couple, nor did they act as friends. Body language spoke volumes where words were not being used. They sat a good distance apart from each other at least three or four feet apart at a time. Gavin didn't seem to be watching Ginny rather he watched everything. Everything seemed to hold a strange fascination to Gavin as if he was seeing things for the first time. As far as anyone knew, Gavin didn't speak of having any family. It was assumed that he was a pure blood, but it wasn't a certainty.
Pansy Parkinson wasn't too happy with the relationship that was developing. Sure, he was a Gryffindor, but he was gorgeous. His eyes were especially startling, but they seemed to be focused in and around Ginny Weasley. And Pansy already hated Ginny not just for having Gavin's attention, but also for being a Gryffindor. Ginny never really went out to stand up for herself, so she was an easy target for Pansy. Before, Pansy used to pick on Hermione, but the girl had an acid tongue and wouldn't stand for it. Ginny made a better and easier target.
Pansy didn't know how dangerous Ginny was. She was going to regret ever picking on Ginny Weasley.
~*~
Snape was more than happy to get back to torturing the other house, other than his own. And the worst thing was that Snape decided to make up for lost time by making everyone work harder. Poor Neville never thought it could get worse. If he and everyone else, except for the Slytherin, knew better, then they would have cherished the day off they had.
Next to Potions, the other classes that Ginny hated was Divination with Profess Sybil Trelawney. The woman was a big fraud. Ginny knew that this was the one teacher that drove Hermione to quit. She did exactly what Ron and Harry did in class. She made up predictions about a miserable future.
Unfortunately for Ginny, she wasn't lying, and worst she had to cover up some of the awful things she really did see. At one point, Professor Trelawney told her to stop making up predictions, but all the visions Ginny was seeing were her own. They were the different outcomes of the future.
Gavin went to class where he was being bombarded with questions about his girlfriend, which he had no idea what a girlfriend was. He still thought people were strange. Not that they didn't have any charm at all, but they were just weird.
Ginny was running late for Divination when she accidentally ran into Professor Trelawney and was knocked off her feet. The professor looked at her with her owl like eyes behind her glasses. "Miss Weasley, please see where you are going. You could have damaged your inner eye and mine," said Professor Trelawney as she held out her hand to help Ginny to her feet.
"I'm sorry, Professor," said Ginny. She followed the professor into the classroom, which looked like a teashop. Ginny felt a little strange after Professor Trelawney helped her up, she felt somewhat relieved. Why she wasn't sure?
"To day we will be working on our crystals, so everyone please take out your crystal balls and your star charts. We will combine both the astrological and crystal ball techniques," said Profess Trelawney.
The class was less than excited. They all took out their Defogging the Future books to do their work. Ginny pretended to pay attention and look at the crystal ball. She never saw anything and after what she saw lately, she rather not see anything.
The room was warmer than usually. "You all should see some kind of vision. The charts are supposed to give you better accuracy," said Professor Trelawney.
Ginny knew that there wasn't any accuracy in Divination. So, she just played along with everyone else.
Suddenly, something horrible happened. Professor Trelawney started to shake uncontrollable. The sound of panic filled the room. She collapsed on the floor. She was clutching the hand she used to help Ginny up from the floor. Her eyes were rolling over to white as she continued to shake and convulse on the floor. "ANGEL! THE ANGEL IS HERE! THE END IS COMING! THE ANGEL OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION!!!" she screamed in a voice that didn't sound like her own. Her voice fell silent after that and her mouth was gapping like a fish out of water. Soon enough, she started to babble in tongues. All the while, she was shaking. Most of the girls looked close to tears as they watched the boys had their mouths opened in silent horror.
Terror gripped Ginny as she realized the kind of vision Professor Trelawney was having. She touched me. That's why she's having a vision. It's a real vision, thought Ginny as she ran out of the room and to the infirmary.
~*~
Madame Pomfrey had never seen a case like this. Professor Trelawney was now in the infirmary. Professor Dumbledore had no choice but to call an emergency meeting. Because of the death of Cedric Diggory last year, the students were already suspecting Voldemort attacking the school somehow.
Snape was going to be gone for the rest of year after winter tests ended, so he wanted to get in as much teaching as possible. The Potions substitute would be coming at that time to fill in while Snape performed his duties. However, he was paler than usual because of the events that had taken place.
Not a single ghost took credit for what happened with the armor in the hall. Even Peeves, after stern questioning from the Bloody Baron, admitted that he didn't do it. Dumbledore was inclined to believe him.
"I never thought that Professor Trelawney would continue like this for so long, but she isn't one to fool around like this," said Professor McGonagall.
"Has she said anything at all other than what the students have said?" asked Professor Dumbledore.
"No, according to Poppy, she now muttering and babbling," reported Professor McGonagall.
"There was also the incident in the dungeons. I don't think these are isolated incidents. They're happening too closely together. There is an element that we are missing," said Professor Snape.
"Do you think it's He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"I do not think so. This is not how Voldemort likes to attack. And the barriers have been checked and as far as I can see they haven't been broken," answered Dumbledore.
"Harry's fine, Professor Dumbledore. Everything's normal with him. No complaints," commented Hagrid.
That was the most important comment actually. Dumbledore nodded and turned his attention to an attractive woman with black, neat hair with red highlights in it and sparkling amber eyes with flicks of gold in them. Her name was Moira Kelly and she was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher; she came highly recommended by Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. She was the same age as Snape, Lupin, and Black. She knew Harry Potter's parents in school. She frowned slightly, "I don't know what this is. I've never seen anything like Professor Trelawney's condition before. I don't think it's Voldemort. What do you think, Professor Snape?" asked Professor Kelly.
"I don't think so. He would have said something about the attack. If I'm out of the loop, Malfoy wouldn't be. He would have let it slip to Draco," said Snape.
"What will happen to Sybil if she doesn't change?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"We will have no choice, but to get a substitute. Until then, all Divination classes are cancelled. Thank goodness it's Thursday. We should be able to get a substitute by then or hopefully, Sybil will return to normal. For now, everyone be on guard. I have other people to inform of the situation," said Professor Dumbledore as he dismissed all the teachers.
Professor Snape and Professor Kelly stayed. Snape was very well versed in the Dark Arts, and Kelly had been away from everyone else for the last sixteen years traveling. "It is best we exercise caution. I asked Harry how his scar was and said that he hasn't felt so much as a tingle in the passed few months," said Dumbledore.
"I'll go and see Professor Trelawney," said Professor Kelly.
"I will be leaving soon to go and see Voldemort. I cannot report back soon because his suspicion will rise even more so. He's already started to question me," said Snape."
"Very well, do as you must," said Professor Dumbledore finally.
Professor Snape allowed Professor Kelly to exit first like a gentleman. She was a beautiful woman who looked like she had aged very gracefully. Serevus didn't know where she really was for the past seventeen years. She still looked so very beautiful. "Why are you staring at me?" she asked as her Irish accent showed up. She had a British accent, but she was born and raised in Dublin before coming to Hogwarts.
"It has been a while since I've seen you. I have to get used to working with Gryffindor," said Snape.
"What about Professor McGonagall?" asked Moira.
"No, I mean a friend of theirs," answered Snape.
"You think I've gotten stranger over the years," said Moira. "Or are you seeing me for the first time?" She left him with an enigmatic smile.
Snape stared at her. The woman he loved died fourteen years ago. He defended her son despite the fact that he was also the son of his enemy. Moira was like her in so many ways, but now she seemed so ethereal. He didn't think it was a good time to dwell on the past when there were things to do.
~*~
Harry was writing a letter to Sirius about what happened that day. Sirius still told him to tell him if anything unusual was happening at the school. And there were a lot of strange things going on at Hogwarts. More than usual.
"They say that Voldemort did all of it," said Ron in a low voice.
"He's not the one. Harry already said that his scar doesn't hurt," said Hermione. Harry finished his letter and rolled it up ready for Hedwig the next morning.
"Ginny's pretty shaken up. She was in Trelawney's class when she started shaking like that. She was the one who went to go get Madame Pomfrey," said Ron.
"Don't you think it's strange that all of these things are happening. I don't think it's Voldemort," said Harry thoughtfully.
"Then who?" asked Hermione.
Harry closed his eyes in deep thought. What happened that started this whole thing? What thing connected all the strange things together in the school? This was starting to remind Harry of his second year. Maybe, it was Voldemort. His thoughts changed immediately when Gavin walked into the room with his lizard draped around his neck. He was walking with Ginny. That reminded him of…
"Gavin," he whispered out loud.
"Uh? You mean Gavin Skyler,' said Hermione.
"What about him?" asked Ron.
"All these things started to happen. I mean we get first years every year, but not transfer students. This is the first time I've even heard of anyone transferring over here," said Harry. The three of them looked at Gavin and Ginny. They took a place near the fire and sat down together.
"Who does he remind you of?" asked Harry to Hermione. She and Ginny talked a lot more after the Chamber of Secrets more than Ginny talked to anyone else about it.
Hermione felt herself go pale. "Tom Riddle," she whispered. She looked over to where he was. Ron frowned and walked up to them.
"Hey, Ginny," said Ron. "How's everything?"
"Fine," answered Ginny. Ron cast a look at Gavin.
"Why don't you join us?" asked Ron.
"No," answered Ginny immediately. She didn't want to hurt anyone else. Gavin and she didn't discuss what happened yet because they couldn't find a place to talk. Ron grabbed her by her elbow and forcefully pulled her away from Gavin. "Let go Ron!" she shouted, drawing attention to them. Fred and George walked over.
"Stay away from my sister," hissed Ron to Gavin who didn't look disturbed at all by him.
"I can decide who I want to spend my time with, Ronald," said Ginny as her eyes narrowed dangerously.
Ron gave her a startled look as she pulled her arm away from him and stalked off to her room. Gavin was now faced with the bigger problem of three Weasley brothers. He wasn't that tall and all three of them seemed to tower over him. He folded his arms over his chest. Pendragon reminded in his slumber on his shoulders.
"You stay from our sister," warned Fred.
"Perhaps you should take your own advice," said Gavin calmly.
The common room was filled with tension as they all stared at the four them. Some of the boys were hoping for a wizard's duel right then and there. The girls, with the exception of Hermione, thought it was so romantic that Gavin was standing up to Ginny's brothers. Hermione didn't want anyone to get hurt, especially Ron. And she didn't think it was very fair that three of them were ganging up on Gavin. "Stop it right now," said Hermione, pulling her rank as a Perfect.
"What did you mean by taking our own advice?" asked George, ignoring Hermione.
Gavin gave no answer. He pushed passed all of them and went to his room. The girls looked ready to swoon at that point.
"Isn't it great?" sighed Lavender.
"I don't get it though. I mean she's only Ginny Weasley," said Parvati. Fred, George, and Ron looked at each other and went back to where they were before. Harry was relieved that nothing happened.
"She's going to have to grow up eventually, Ron," said Hermione as she rubbed his shoulder.
"She shouldn't. She's a year younger than me," said Ron through his teeth.
Harry immediately took pity on Gavin at that moment. Actually, he took pity on any boy brave enough to tackle the Weasley brothers. There wasn't just Fred, George, and Ron, but also, Bill, Charlie and Percy. It all would have been funny if it weren't so serious.
~*~
Moira Kelly was in the infirmary with Madame Pomfrey. "There has been no change," reported Madame Pomfrey sadly. She had many years as a nurse, but nothing could have prepared her for the stay that Professor Trelawney was in.
"I'm going to have to send her to St. Mungo's Hospital soon, if there's no change," said.
Moira looked at the woman. Her arms were lashed to the bed so that she didn't hurt herself. None of the sleeping potions were affective. There was nothing to stop whatever pain that Professor Trelawney was in. "I'm going to observe her tonight," said Moira.
Madame Pomfrey nodded. "It's been a difficulty year so far, Moira. First, everyone is jumpy with Voldemort hovering about us. And the things that have been happening here. I normally complain about the things that happened in the previous year. The before last there were Dementors. Last year, it was dragons. This year…it's something else. I'd take the Dementors and the dragons over whatever is happening this year," she said.
"I am here to make sure that the dark forces don't get too close to Harry," said Moira.
"Yes, I remember when you were coming here. You do look so much like your mother and your uncle. You do look a lot like him," said Madame Pomfrey with a smile.
She smiled back. "I'm no mediwitch, but I think you should get some rest, too. You needn't worry. I'm here," she said.
"That gives me comfort, Moira," said Madame Pomfrey as she left to go and get some sleep. Moira knew who Madame Pomfrey was talking about. She missed her family very much. Most of them had died. Out of a large clan of rich and powerful wizards, there weren't many of them left.
Moira observed Professor Trelawney and after several hours found that she wasn't just shaking uncontrollable, but there was a pattern in her madness. She kept muttering and babbling and soon, Moira knew it had to be another language. It wasn't like any language she had ever heard before. It wasn't Mermish, Troll, or Goblin. It was something that was complex. Very complex. Moira also realized that Professor Trelawney was trapped in her own mind. She was trapped in a horrifying vision.
~*~
"All I did was touch her. Actually, she touched me. I ran into her and I fell. She helped me up. And look what happened to her," said Ginny as she wrapped her thin arms around herself.
"Everyone's scared, Gavin. I don't blame them," she continued. "What I am some kind of demon?"
"No, I already told you. You are the Angel," answered Gavin immediately. They were talking quietly in the library far away from everyone else. They also had to get away from Ginny's brothers. She could swear that they were a bunch of freaks. Honestly, just because she spent time with Gavin didn't mean that he and she were dating. She was tired of trying to reason with them. And she want to isolate herself to protect others.
Ron was keeping an eye on Gavin whenever he saw them in their room. So, were Harry and Hermione. "I have to go to class," announced Gavin.
"All right. I'll be fine," said Ginny.
"I'll be in Professor Kelly's class if you need me," he said as he left to go to class. The little lizard didn't want to go back to the room. He shook his head furiously. "Fine, Pendragon. Ginny, do you want Pendragon to stay with you?" he asked.
Ginny nodded and Pendragon leaped towards her. She caught him and smiled. There was so little pleasure in her life these days and one of them was the antics of Pendragon. He had the most animated facial expressions that made him look so human. She spent her time reading while Pendragon found a place under the window with a patch of sunlight and took a nap.
~*~
The moment that Gavin entered the room, Ron was giving him a glare that could put Medusa herself to shame. He took his seat in the middle of the room. Most of the boys were very happy with the new DADA teacher because she was so beautiful. She wasn't what everyone had expected after a year with Mad-Eye Moody (AN: Go read Gof because I'm not writing the spoiler info here about Moody.). Harry knew before everyone else that she was coming because Sirius wrote him about her. She went to school with his parents, Sirius, and Remus.
Professor Kelly looked a little tired because of her vigil with Professor Trelawney. She swept in and put her folders and books on the desk. Her eyes made a sweep of the room to see if everyone was there. She wasn't a stickler for attendance. She smiled as she stopped at Harry. It was very comforting for Harry to have her there as much as it was for her. Professor Kelly eyes also settled in the middle part of the room. She saw the boy who had violet eyes staring back at her. For some unknown reason, she felt a familiar warmth from them despite the fact that they held no warmth at all.
"First of all, I was to assure everyone that the faculty and staff are doing everything in our power to keep every safe and sound. However, this is Defense Against the Dark Arts. Why don't we get started?" she asked.
Everyone nodded and brought out their books. "First of all, I was to assure everyone that the faculty and staff are doing everything in our power to keep every safe and sound. However, this is Defense Against the Dark Arts. Why don't we get started?" she asked.
Everyone nodded and brought out their books. "Please turn to page 430…the section entitled 'The History Against the Dark Arts.'"
AN: I decided to make the DADA teacher a woman because J.K. Rowling did say that for the five book the teacher will be a woman. And remember, Sirius is now with Remus. This is a very dark time for the wizarding world and for the Muggle world, if they only knew how dark it really was.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the brain child of J.K. Rowling. Gavin is my brain child. ^_~ Also, if there are any spoilers…well that's your own fault for not reading the books now isn't it?