Chapter 12
The Attack
"What are we going to do"? Ron said. Ron was now all pale and clammy. Hermione seemed quite calm though; she seems to be taking this quite well. "Let's go to the Forbidden Forest", Hermione suggested. "Why? Y-You-Know-Who might be in there"! Ron shouted over from all the screaming. "If Voldemort is there, people won't be stupid enough to go there"! Harry said. "Harry, Hermione, Ron"! The three turned around seeing Professor McGonagall. She motioned them over to her. Harry, Hermione and Ron walked over unsure. "What's happening Professor McGonagall"? Hermione asked. "No time to explain. The best thing to do right now is to keep everyone safe, especially Harry", Professor McGonagall explained. She started to walk towards the Forbidden Forest, but ended up in a bit of a run. The four of them finally got safely in the forest. "What now Professor"? Ron asked. "Keep your voices down", Professor McGonagall said sternly while looking for a place to hide. "You three will have to hide! Professor Dumbledore and I aren't taking any chances. You have your wands don't you? (The three nodded). Good, if you need anything, send red sparks in the sky and I'll come right over. I have to help Professor Flitwick gather some of the students up". "But Professor, what's happening"? Hermione asked. "Is Voldemort here"? Harry asked. "We're not sure, just hide and don't talk. Make sure you're on a look-out"! Professor McGonagall instructed. She hurried away into the thick trees and soon, she disappeared. "What do you thinks happening"? Ron asked curiously. "Didn't you see what was in the sky"? Hermione whispered. "Yeah I saw what was in the sky. Voldemort is back.", Ron shivered. The three heard a rustling in the bushes behind them, and they turned around. Scared, they slowly took out their wands. "Lumos", Hermione said. Her wand lit up. The three slowly walked towards the sound with Hermione in the lead. There was nothing, except trees, and bushes. Nothing was there. "There's nothing-" Ron started but got cut off. "G-G-Guys"? Ron said, his voice shaking. "What"? Hermione said impatiently. She was still looking if there was someone there. "T-turn around.and y-you'll s-s-s-see", Ron stuttered. Hermione turned around and Harry could hear her gasp. Should Harry turn around? Or maybe he should run while he still had the chance. He finally decides to turn around. A body at least 10 foot tall was standing right in front of them. "AHHH"! The three screamed. They started to make a run deeper into the woods. But something grabbed them around the waist. "Stop! It's okay! Don't be afraid"! A deep voice reassured them. They turned around seeing a rather huge centaur. "W-who're you? Your not going to eat us are you"? Ron whimpered. "Of course not! I've been sent here to protect you three. Why would I eat you? By the way, my name is Cern", Cern explained. "Why are you here to protect us"? Hermione asked. "I was sent here by Professor Dumbledore and Hagrid. Professor McGonagall told me where you guys were"? Cern said. "You scared me to death"! Ron exclaimed. "Scare you to death? You're a funny guy"! Cern chuckled while patting Ron's back. "Do you know what's happening"? Harry finally spoke up. "Well.something horrible happened", Cern said. "But what happened"? Hermione asked. "I'm not sure if I'm suppose to tell you.but I'll tell you anyways. I heard from Dumbledore that You-Know-Who is back. Of course I might have heard wrong", Cern explained. "But what was that thing in the sky"? Harry asked. "I suppose, someone.set it up there. Probably a Death Eater I suppose", Cern said uncertain. "Bu-", Hermione was cut off. Someone screamed close by and then they heard a crash. Cern looked up and ran towards the noise. Hermione, Harry, and Ron followed him. The entered a strange part of the forest, that they have never seen before. It had a rusty sort of smell, and it was darker then ever. Dead trees, and stumps were everywhere. "Watch out, there might be something here", Cern said. "Look"! Ron said suddenly. He ran towards a body lying on the ground behind a stump. The body was covered in scratches, and had red hair. "Oh my gosh, Ginny"! Hermione stared down at the body. "Oh no! Ginny, wake up! Ginny, please wake up! This isn't funny"! Ron said picking Ginny's limp body from the ground. "Ginny wake up! I'm not kidding Ginny"! "Hermione, fire some of those red sparks in the sky"! Harry instructed. Hermione nodded and pointed her wand to the sky. Red sparks shot out from her wand and into the dark sky. The words that were in the sky, was no longer up there. They waited for a few more minutes, and finally, they heard rustling behind them and breathing. Professor Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall came rushing over. Professor McGonagall screamed as soon as she saw Ginny's body. "What happened"? Professor Dumbledore asked looking shocked. "We don't know, we heard someone scream and we followed the noise. It lead us here, and Ginny was just lying here", Hermione said looking at Ginny. With a wave of Professor Dumbledore's wand, stretchers appeared and Dumbledore lifted Ginny's body onto it. "We must hurry to the Hospital Wing", Professor Dumbledore said. It took them quite a while to get to the Hospital Wing. As soon as they got there, Madam Pomfrey came rushing over. "What happened"? Madam Pomfrey asked curiously. "Don't know, we need to make sure she's still alive", Professor Dumbledore said calmly. Madam Pomfrey nodded and picked Ginny's body up and put her onto the nearest bed. "You three will have to wait outside. Minerva, please take them back outside", Professor Dumbledore said. "NO WAY AM I LEAVING! I HAVE TO STAY HERE WITH GINNY, SHE'S MY SISTER"! Ron shouted. "Mr. Weasley, Professor Dumbledore made a decision so we're going to stick with it"! Professor McGonagall said sternly. "No, Ron has a point there. Ginny is his sister, and he should stay with her", Professor Dumbledore said. "What about us"? Hermione asked. "You can stay too", Professor Dumbledore smiled. Madam Pomfrey came back with a bottle of purple liquid and a spoon. She poured some on the spoon, and fed it to Ginny. Soon, her eyes fluttered open. "Ginny"! Ron said. Ron hugged her. "R-Ron! T-there was s-s-something! Oh Ron it was horrible"! Ginny sobbed. Tears formed as Ginny wiped them away. "What was there Ginny? Can you tell us"? Professor Dumbledore said softly. "I don't know what w-was there. I-I saw r-r-red e-eyes. And a black body", Ginny continued sobbing. "Ginny it's okay. What did that thing do to you"? Professor Dumbledore asked again. "H-he said a spell, and knocked over one of the trees. The tree almost fell on top of me, but I ran away just in time. He s-said another spell and then, I f-fainted or something", Ginny said as new tears formed. "It's alright Ginny, just get some sleep. And if you remember something else, don't be afraid to tell me", Professor Dumbledore said. "Poppy, make sure she rests". "Yes Professor Dumbledore", Madam Pomfrey said. Professor Dumbledore stood up and left, with Professor Snape right behind him talking quietly to him. Professor Dumbledore nodded in response and they moved away. "Okay you three, let's get back outside", Professor McGonagall said. "What about Ginny"? Ron asked. "She'll be right here. She's going to sleep, you can see her tomorrow". "But can't I stay here with her"? Ron pleaded. "I'm afraid not, she needs her rest and so do you"! Ron nodded and the three followed Professor McGonagall outside. They returned back to the lake, and instead of sleeping bags, there were now four cabins. Everyone was standing outside of each one looking curiously at the cabins then at Professor Dumbledore. Harry could see Cho Chang looking nervous and awfully pale. Her friends were talking to her, trying to reassure her about something. "Tonight, you all will be sleeping in these cabins. It's completely safe so don't worry. Every Professor will be guarding every entrance to the cabins. Each cabin is for each house. Gryffindor's cabin is the one with a picture of the lion; Ravenclaw's cabin is the one with the bird; Slytherin's is the snake; and Hufflepuff's is the badger. If you notice anything wrong, come immediately to one of the Professor's. Goodnight to you all", Professor Dumbledore explained. Harry, Hermione and Ron found their cabins and walked inside. The cabins were rather comfy. There was a fireplace, a red rug, two couches, and 4 chairs. On the left side of the room there were four rooms for the girls. And on the right side of the room there were four rooms for the boys. The three said goodnight to each other, and went their separate ways. "I wonder who attacked Ginny", Ron said in the middle of changing. "Same", Harry said. "Guys, did you see what happened? Boy, that scared me"! Seamus exclaimed while walking into the room with Dean and Neville. "Scariest moment in my life", Dean added. "Same", Neville said breathless. They talked some more and finally, they all went to bed. There were bunk beds, and a single bed. Neville slept in the single bed while Dean and Seamus shared a bunk and Ron and Harry shared a bunk together. "Ron"? Harry whispered after a few minutes. "Yeah"? "Are you still awake"? "Yeah.why"? "You know what happened today right"? "Yeah, I will never forget what happened today, especially what happened to Ginny"! "Well I'm not taking any more chances. I have to find out more about this Crystal Ball of Fire", Harry decided. "How"? "Well, we can go to the library". "We can't though, remember? We're not allowed to be inside the castle". "Your starting to sound like Hermione! Always cautious about everything, anyways, I'm going to the library somehow. Your either in or out, if you're out, I'll just ask Hermione", Harry whispered. "You know she's not going to agree, and besides, what if someone sees you sneaking in the castle? Like one of those scientist guys"? Ron asked. "They wont, I'm going to take my invisibility cloak". There was a pause. Harry could tell that Ron was thinking about it. "Fine, I'll go, just not tonight. After what happened, I'm too scared to go outside right now. And poor Ginny.I wonder what really happened, and who attacked her. I bet it was Malfoy"! Ron scowled. "Don't jump to conclusions so fast, besides, I don't think Malfoy have the guts to get in so much trouble", Harry pointed out. "Yeah.true. But who did then"? "I don't know.do you think it was Voldemort"? "If it was him, he would have no trouble killing Ginny.", Ron replied back. "I was so worried. Think about what my mum will say as soon as she finds out that I didn't stay with her, and that she got hurt. This is Ginny's second time! First it was that Tom Riddle, and now this? She deserves a better brother". "Don't say that, besides, think about Fred and George. They should have looked out for her too. And you didn't know where Ginny was", Harry reassured Ron. "Yeah.well I'm going to sleep. I'm tired. Night Harry", Ron said. "Night Ron", Harry whispered. Harry looked up at the ceiling (he's sleeping on the top bunk) thinking about what happened today. Hermione was right, something bad did happen today. He was too tired to think.he'll just have to find out more tomorrow. He could ask Dumbledore.and Sirius! Harry haven't thought about Sirius for a long time. Okay, it's settled then, tomorrow morning, I'm sending an owl to Sirius telling him everything that has happened today. But then I don't want him to worry about me.but I should tell him anyways, Harry finally decided.
"What are we going to do"? Ron said. Ron was now all pale and clammy. Hermione seemed quite calm though; she seems to be taking this quite well. "Let's go to the Forbidden Forest", Hermione suggested. "Why? Y-You-Know-Who might be in there"! Ron shouted over from all the screaming. "If Voldemort is there, people won't be stupid enough to go there"! Harry said. "Harry, Hermione, Ron"! The three turned around seeing Professor McGonagall. She motioned them over to her. Harry, Hermione and Ron walked over unsure. "What's happening Professor McGonagall"? Hermione asked. "No time to explain. The best thing to do right now is to keep everyone safe, especially Harry", Professor McGonagall explained. She started to walk towards the Forbidden Forest, but ended up in a bit of a run. The four of them finally got safely in the forest. "What now Professor"? Ron asked. "Keep your voices down", Professor McGonagall said sternly while looking for a place to hide. "You three will have to hide! Professor Dumbledore and I aren't taking any chances. You have your wands don't you? (The three nodded). Good, if you need anything, send red sparks in the sky and I'll come right over. I have to help Professor Flitwick gather some of the students up". "But Professor, what's happening"? Hermione asked. "Is Voldemort here"? Harry asked. "We're not sure, just hide and don't talk. Make sure you're on a look-out"! Professor McGonagall instructed. She hurried away into the thick trees and soon, she disappeared. "What do you thinks happening"? Ron asked curiously. "Didn't you see what was in the sky"? Hermione whispered. "Yeah I saw what was in the sky. Voldemort is back.", Ron shivered. The three heard a rustling in the bushes behind them, and they turned around. Scared, they slowly took out their wands. "Lumos", Hermione said. Her wand lit up. The three slowly walked towards the sound with Hermione in the lead. There was nothing, except trees, and bushes. Nothing was there. "There's nothing-" Ron started but got cut off. "G-G-Guys"? Ron said, his voice shaking. "What"? Hermione said impatiently. She was still looking if there was someone there. "T-turn around.and y-you'll s-s-s-see", Ron stuttered. Hermione turned around and Harry could hear her gasp. Should Harry turn around? Or maybe he should run while he still had the chance. He finally decides to turn around. A body at least 10 foot tall was standing right in front of them. "AHHH"! The three screamed. They started to make a run deeper into the woods. But something grabbed them around the waist. "Stop! It's okay! Don't be afraid"! A deep voice reassured them. They turned around seeing a rather huge centaur. "W-who're you? Your not going to eat us are you"? Ron whimpered. "Of course not! I've been sent here to protect you three. Why would I eat you? By the way, my name is Cern", Cern explained. "Why are you here to protect us"? Hermione asked. "I was sent here by Professor Dumbledore and Hagrid. Professor McGonagall told me where you guys were"? Cern said. "You scared me to death"! Ron exclaimed. "Scare you to death? You're a funny guy"! Cern chuckled while patting Ron's back. "Do you know what's happening"? Harry finally spoke up. "Well.something horrible happened", Cern said. "But what happened"? Hermione asked. "I'm not sure if I'm suppose to tell you.but I'll tell you anyways. I heard from Dumbledore that You-Know-Who is back. Of course I might have heard wrong", Cern explained. "But what was that thing in the sky"? Harry asked. "I suppose, someone.set it up there. Probably a Death Eater I suppose", Cern said uncertain. "Bu-", Hermione was cut off. Someone screamed close by and then they heard a crash. Cern looked up and ran towards the noise. Hermione, Harry, and Ron followed him. The entered a strange part of the forest, that they have never seen before. It had a rusty sort of smell, and it was darker then ever. Dead trees, and stumps were everywhere. "Watch out, there might be something here", Cern said. "Look"! Ron said suddenly. He ran towards a body lying on the ground behind a stump. The body was covered in scratches, and had red hair. "Oh my gosh, Ginny"! Hermione stared down at the body. "Oh no! Ginny, wake up! Ginny, please wake up! This isn't funny"! Ron said picking Ginny's limp body from the ground. "Ginny wake up! I'm not kidding Ginny"! "Hermione, fire some of those red sparks in the sky"! Harry instructed. Hermione nodded and pointed her wand to the sky. Red sparks shot out from her wand and into the dark sky. The words that were in the sky, was no longer up there. They waited for a few more minutes, and finally, they heard rustling behind them and breathing. Professor Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall came rushing over. Professor McGonagall screamed as soon as she saw Ginny's body. "What happened"? Professor Dumbledore asked looking shocked. "We don't know, we heard someone scream and we followed the noise. It lead us here, and Ginny was just lying here", Hermione said looking at Ginny. With a wave of Professor Dumbledore's wand, stretchers appeared and Dumbledore lifted Ginny's body onto it. "We must hurry to the Hospital Wing", Professor Dumbledore said. It took them quite a while to get to the Hospital Wing. As soon as they got there, Madam Pomfrey came rushing over. "What happened"? Madam Pomfrey asked curiously. "Don't know, we need to make sure she's still alive", Professor Dumbledore said calmly. Madam Pomfrey nodded and picked Ginny's body up and put her onto the nearest bed. "You three will have to wait outside. Minerva, please take them back outside", Professor Dumbledore said. "NO WAY AM I LEAVING! I HAVE TO STAY HERE WITH GINNY, SHE'S MY SISTER"! Ron shouted. "Mr. Weasley, Professor Dumbledore made a decision so we're going to stick with it"! Professor McGonagall said sternly. "No, Ron has a point there. Ginny is his sister, and he should stay with her", Professor Dumbledore said. "What about us"? Hermione asked. "You can stay too", Professor Dumbledore smiled. Madam Pomfrey came back with a bottle of purple liquid and a spoon. She poured some on the spoon, and fed it to Ginny. Soon, her eyes fluttered open. "Ginny"! Ron said. Ron hugged her. "R-Ron! T-there was s-s-something! Oh Ron it was horrible"! Ginny sobbed. Tears formed as Ginny wiped them away. "What was there Ginny? Can you tell us"? Professor Dumbledore said softly. "I don't know what w-was there. I-I saw r-r-red e-eyes. And a black body", Ginny continued sobbing. "Ginny it's okay. What did that thing do to you"? Professor Dumbledore asked again. "H-he said a spell, and knocked over one of the trees. The tree almost fell on top of me, but I ran away just in time. He s-said another spell and then, I f-fainted or something", Ginny said as new tears formed. "It's alright Ginny, just get some sleep. And if you remember something else, don't be afraid to tell me", Professor Dumbledore said. "Poppy, make sure she rests". "Yes Professor Dumbledore", Madam Pomfrey said. Professor Dumbledore stood up and left, with Professor Snape right behind him talking quietly to him. Professor Dumbledore nodded in response and they moved away. "Okay you three, let's get back outside", Professor McGonagall said. "What about Ginny"? Ron asked. "She'll be right here. She's going to sleep, you can see her tomorrow". "But can't I stay here with her"? Ron pleaded. "I'm afraid not, she needs her rest and so do you"! Ron nodded and the three followed Professor McGonagall outside. They returned back to the lake, and instead of sleeping bags, there were now four cabins. Everyone was standing outside of each one looking curiously at the cabins then at Professor Dumbledore. Harry could see Cho Chang looking nervous and awfully pale. Her friends were talking to her, trying to reassure her about something. "Tonight, you all will be sleeping in these cabins. It's completely safe so don't worry. Every Professor will be guarding every entrance to the cabins. Each cabin is for each house. Gryffindor's cabin is the one with a picture of the lion; Ravenclaw's cabin is the one with the bird; Slytherin's is the snake; and Hufflepuff's is the badger. If you notice anything wrong, come immediately to one of the Professor's. Goodnight to you all", Professor Dumbledore explained. Harry, Hermione and Ron found their cabins and walked inside. The cabins were rather comfy. There was a fireplace, a red rug, two couches, and 4 chairs. On the left side of the room there were four rooms for the girls. And on the right side of the room there were four rooms for the boys. The three said goodnight to each other, and went their separate ways. "I wonder who attacked Ginny", Ron said in the middle of changing. "Same", Harry said. "Guys, did you see what happened? Boy, that scared me"! Seamus exclaimed while walking into the room with Dean and Neville. "Scariest moment in my life", Dean added. "Same", Neville said breathless. They talked some more and finally, they all went to bed. There were bunk beds, and a single bed. Neville slept in the single bed while Dean and Seamus shared a bunk and Ron and Harry shared a bunk together. "Ron"? Harry whispered after a few minutes. "Yeah"? "Are you still awake"? "Yeah.why"? "You know what happened today right"? "Yeah, I will never forget what happened today, especially what happened to Ginny"! "Well I'm not taking any more chances. I have to find out more about this Crystal Ball of Fire", Harry decided. "How"? "Well, we can go to the library". "We can't though, remember? We're not allowed to be inside the castle". "Your starting to sound like Hermione! Always cautious about everything, anyways, I'm going to the library somehow. Your either in or out, if you're out, I'll just ask Hermione", Harry whispered. "You know she's not going to agree, and besides, what if someone sees you sneaking in the castle? Like one of those scientist guys"? Ron asked. "They wont, I'm going to take my invisibility cloak". There was a pause. Harry could tell that Ron was thinking about it. "Fine, I'll go, just not tonight. After what happened, I'm too scared to go outside right now. And poor Ginny.I wonder what really happened, and who attacked her. I bet it was Malfoy"! Ron scowled. "Don't jump to conclusions so fast, besides, I don't think Malfoy have the guts to get in so much trouble", Harry pointed out. "Yeah.true. But who did then"? "I don't know.do you think it was Voldemort"? "If it was him, he would have no trouble killing Ginny.", Ron replied back. "I was so worried. Think about what my mum will say as soon as she finds out that I didn't stay with her, and that she got hurt. This is Ginny's second time! First it was that Tom Riddle, and now this? She deserves a better brother". "Don't say that, besides, think about Fred and George. They should have looked out for her too. And you didn't know where Ginny was", Harry reassured Ron. "Yeah.well I'm going to sleep. I'm tired. Night Harry", Ron said. "Night Ron", Harry whispered. Harry looked up at the ceiling (he's sleeping on the top bunk) thinking about what happened today. Hermione was right, something bad did happen today. He was too tired to think.he'll just have to find out more tomorrow. He could ask Dumbledore.and Sirius! Harry haven't thought about Sirius for a long time. Okay, it's settled then, tomorrow morning, I'm sending an owl to Sirius telling him everything that has happened today. But then I don't want him to worry about me.but I should tell him anyways, Harry finally decided.