Ch. 5
The New Slytherin
Quietly he walked over to the side of the garden and stared into the pitch- black room. The rustling continued and was growing louder. Walking closer, he was in the midst of the shadows and as he peered around the pillar, an owl flew out in front of him. Harry jumped back. He continued walking towards the sound and turned a corner.
At the end of the long, narrow corridor, there was a flickering light on the floor by his feet shining from the other side of the wall. Harry felt his hands up and down the stonewall feeling for any kind of space to grab hold of to open it. There wasn't.
"Maybe it needs a password," he thought. "Ding flingers! Primo Pastuer! Weasley Wizard Wheezes! Sherbet Lemon!"
He wasn't sure why he said those, but it was worth a shot. Then something dawned upon him,
"Voldemort!"
The wall scraped on the stone floor as it moved aside. Slowly and prudently, Harry moved down the short hallway. Squinting his eyes as the light shined brighter, he opened the wooden door, and there placed upon a platform was a rather large ball. It wasn't solid, but clear and looked as if it was a major power source of some sort. Glowing vigorously, it did nothing as Harry walked towards it with confusion. He wasn't sure if he should touch it or not, but Harry reached out his hand attempting to. Just as he was about to, he looked up hearing the voices coming from the other side of the wall.
He moved his hand away from the ball and, staring at it, walked towards the wall. Harry knelt down, peered through a hole in the wall, and looked in. Feeling the warm air flowing from the other side, he saw the girls' dorm room. There was Hermione and Fern sitting and talking, and Shelbi laying on her bed reading. He put his ear to the crack and listened.
"Hermione, could you help me with this question in Transfiguration," Fern asked. Shelbi peered over to them, rolled her eyes, and continued reading.
"Sure, what kind of question is it," Hermione answered.
"Well, it says to find the spell that will turn a rock into a mushroom and then conduct it, but I've searched this book back and forth."
"It's a trick question. The answer is in your notes that she gave us on Tuesday."
"Oh, I was never that great in Transfiguration. Tomorrow would you want to get Harry and Ron and do something?"
"We're going into Hogsmeade anyways, so we can go into the Joke Shop, then to the Three Broomsticks."
"Yea, okay. Shelbi, you going to join us?"
"Well, I guess I have no choice, now do I," she said with annoyance.
"You don't have to be so snobby about it."
"Sorry," she exaggerated and got up and went to downstairs.
Harry was wondering why Shelbi was in such a mood. Hearing a crash behind him, Harry ducked behind a bookshelf and watched a figure walk in. The person turned on the light and Harry noticed it was Hagrid.
"Why is Hagrid here? How does he know about this," he thought.
He watched him sit on a chair by the hole in the wall and putting his ear up by it.
"What is he doing?"
Harry slowly moved towards the door to get out, but accidentally knocked over the crystal. Hagrid quickly turned around and yelled,
"Hey, who's 'ere?"
Harry didn't stay around, so he grabbed his Invisibility Cloak, threw it over him, and fled. He could hear Hagrid yell back,
"No, he's escaped! I'll get you Shelbi!"
"Shelbi," Harry asked himself. "What does Shelbi have to do with this?"
As he ran up the marble staircase, nearly slipping and hitting his knee upon the stair, Harry limped while running back to the common room.
"Gladys Bells," he whispered. The Fat Lady was loudly snoring, not able to hear him. "Gladys Bells!"
She woke up cranky saying,
"What is it? Why must you wake me after hours? You should already be in bed sleeping as I was doing!"
"Sorry, I had to meet someone."
Quietly he tiptoed in and peered around the corner to see if Shelbi was still up. She wasn't so he crept up the stairs and pressed his ear up to the girls' dorm room door. Silent. He then opened up the door to the boys' dorms and went to bed.
When Monday morning came, everybody was reminiscing of the dance in Transfiguration. As Professor McGonagall walked up to the front of the room, the noise died down.
"Everyone," she began. "We are getting a new student, here at Hogwarts. In fact, he should be apparating shortly."
"Apparating." Hermione questioned.
Turning her head she answered,
"Yes, he received his license early, but I don't remember why."
Just then, the doors flew open, banging against the wall. The wind blowing inward was cluttering up the papers on the desks. Everyone grabbed at his or her things. As the boy stepped in, his head down, the doors closed. Ron's eyes widened as he said to Harry,
"Now that's an entrance."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each with confusion. He looked up and he had light brown hair, and green eyes.
"Mr. Woulvercote, I don't think all of that was necessary. Class, this is Dameon Woulvercote."
Hearing that name, Shelbi made a huge ink splash on her piece of parchment and quickly turned around.
"Please take a seat so I can begin class."
Walking over to the empty space next to Malfoy, Dameon viewed over by Shelbi as she hid behind a book. Professor McGonagall turned her back as she was writing up a spell. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Fern stared as he sat down. Hermione cleared her throat and asked him,
"So how did you get your Apparation License already?"
Dameon looked over an answered,
"There was an exception."
"Which was," Ron added.
"Me."
He rolled his eyes and looked up by Professor McGonagall. Ron and Hermione looked at each other and Ron gave this imitation eye roll and stuck out his tongue, making fun of Dameon. Professor McGonagall cleared her throat as Hermione giggled,
"Mr. Weasley, I hope your face expression is not telling me that you'd like detention and would also like your face to stay that way for the rest of the semester?"
"Oh, no professor. I was just practicing my, uh, new concentration expression."
"Well I imply that you seek a new one."
Ron turned towards Hermione and smiled. Hermione thought at first he was smiling at her, but instead, her was smiling at Fern, who was whispering,
"You are going to get in so much trouble."
"Okay class," Professor McGonagall started as she placed down her chalk. "I would like everyone to pick an item from the box floating passed you. Today's lesson is Ordinary nature objects transfigured into items that are more useful. Read the instructions on the board.carefully," eyeing Neville. "If you need any extra help, please ask."
Everyone grabbed a twig, a leaf, or a small animal. Neville, being the last one able to pick, ended up with a Sking. They also opened their books to page 257, where all the objects to choose from. With the words on the board,
Ala Broade _________ Bonn
And the names in the book to fill in the space:
Candela Brumsticke
Efire Pixie Dusten
Compasse Lanterian
The class began their trances. Lavendar Brown turned her dirt into pixie dust, Jennifer turned her rock into a lantern, and well, Neville, he turned his Sking into a walking, smelly compass.
"Um, Professor? I think I may need some help," he raised his hand saying.
"Yes, Mr. Longbottom."
The half Sking, half compass pointed itself in the direction of the door and ran quickly towards it. Professor McGonagall looked up, hearing a crashing sound (which Neville made attempting to catch it).
"Immobulous," she shouted pointing her wand at it, freezing the creature in place.
"Accio!"
Neville looked at Professor McGonagall with a sorry look upon his face.
"Well, I'm glad most of you are getting this assignment correct."
McGonagall grabbed the creature, pointed her wand and chanted,
"Ine undoe!"
The walking, smelly compass turned back into a Sking.
"Now, as you saw class. Turn your objects back to normal. Dameon," turning towards him and seeing he is not following the instructions. "Why aren't you working on this assignment?"
Looking up he responded,
"I've already done this."
Shelbi turned and looked at him. He noticed her looking at him, so he gave her an evil smile. She rolled her eyes and whispered to Fern,
"I can't believe he's here! We don't need anymore interruptions."
Fern eyes was all Shelbi needed to see that she was annoyed,
"What do you mean we? Suddenly I'm involved again? I don't think so."
"You think I want to do this for fun? We made a deal we have to stick with it."
"It seems more than that to you."
She turned and continued her spell.
"Okay then. I'll let him know."
"No, Don't do that! I'll get in trouble for sure."
Shelbi got up, grabbed her books, and walked out towards the door. Professor McGonagall noticed and demandingly asked,
"Miss Klein, just where do you think you are going? Sit down!"
Shelbi stopped, turned, and pointed her wand at Professor McGonagall and said,
"Evertusach!"
Silver shot out and hot Professor McGonagall sending her to the floor.
Shelbi put her wand away, looked at Dameon, gave him a nasty smile back, and walked out the door. Harry, Ron, and Hermione ran up and helped Professor McGonagall to her desk. They then sat back down in their seats. Harry leaned towards Fern and asked,
"Do you know what that was all about?"
With a petrified look upon her face, she didn't say anything.
"Fern? What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry," she hesitated. "But I have to go stop her."
Hermione asked confused,
"Stop her? From what?"
"I'll let you know later," she shouted as she ran out of the classroom.
She looked down one side of the corridor and saw nothing. She looked down the other side and just saw a glimpse of something and started to run towards it.
Back in the classroom, Hermione was still helping Professor McGonagall. The Slytherins were all smirking about, even Dameon. Harry carefully watched him and as he moved about, he was able to catch which house Dameon was actually in. Slytherin.
Dameon stood up and walked to Professor McGonagall's desk.
"Professor, I'm sorry for anything Shelbi may have caused. She was just like this at out old school."
Harry, Hermione, and Ron all looked at him shocked.
"You went to school, with her," Harry asked pointing towards the corridor.
"Yes, we used to get along quite well. Still, I've said too much. I'll go get her back for you."
"Why," Malfoy jumped up. "She's not that great to go and run for!"
Crabbe and Goyle snickered. Dameon raised his wand and said,
"Lindocraete!"
All the leaves upon the table flew over to Malfoy's mouth, stuffing them with in. Dameon looked at the class and proclaimed,
"Does anyone else want to object?"
The entire class placed their wands on their desks and sat still.
"Now, I'll go get her. Class is dismissed."
Professor McGonagall turned to him and strictly said,
"Mr. Woulvercote, I decide when class will be dismissed.Class is now dismissed! I want you all to practice this topic we learned today."
The class got up and left. Malfoy stood up still picking leaves out of his mouth. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stayed. Dameon watched everyone leave and then disapparated. Wind blew the papers around while he left.
"He thinks he's so great just because he can apparate and disapparate whenever he feels like it," Ron sneered.
"Ron," Hermione demanded.
"Yea."
"Shut up!"
"Fine, but it was great to see Malfoy get pushed around by someone."
Hermione looked at him, displeased, but couldn't help but smile.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes," Professor McGonagall answered. "I'm a lot powerful than Miss Klein, just the fall came unexpected."
"Okay, I'm going to the library. I'll see you both at the common room later."
"Why are you going to the library," Ron asked.
"I'll let you know later."
"Well, Harry. I'm going to go find Fern to help her find Shelbi."
"I'll go to the common room and meet up with you later," Harry nodded.
"Goodbye Professor!"
"Goodbye Mr. Weasley."
"Goodbye Professor."
"Goodbye Potter."
Walking back to the common room, Harry was stopped by Colin Creevey and his little brother.
"Hi Harry!"
"Hi Colin."
"Where are you going?"
"To the common room. Why?"
"Just curious."
"Okay, well I have to go now."
"Alright," he said. As Harry walked away, Colin shouted back,
"Hey Harry, look!"
Harry turned around and a large flash blinded him.
"Sorry, haven't taken a picture of you for my scrapbook in awhile."
"Ah, okay."
He continued walking and had been stopped again, but by Ginny.
"Hello, Harry," she said smiling.
"Hi Ginny. How are you?"
"I'm great, and you?"
"Okay, why are you so happy?"
"I can't hold it in! Guess what? Neville said that he liked me! I'm so happy."
"So you two are together then?"
"Yea!"
"That's nice. I have to go now though. Good to hear the news. Bye!"
"Bye, Harry," she cheerfully said, skipping down the corridor.
When Harry reached the common room, no one was around, so he sat and watched the fire crackle. Slipping into a quiet sleep, he dreamt about his mum and dad. There was also someone else there, but this person was a bit of a blur to him. All he could see what that it was a girl and maybe just a little younger than him.
"But who was she," he wondered.
He walked up to his mum and dad, and watched them play with his baby self and this girl. Suddenly, the girl came into view and the girl looked like.
"Fern!"
The girl his mum, and his dad were with, was Fern? He just stood there watching, until someone shaking him woke him.
"Harry! Harry! Wake up!"
"What?"
"Harry, I can't find Shelbi anywhere. She's not in the school, she's not on the grounds.what are you staring at?"
Harry shook his head from looking at Fern, who had awaked him, and answered,
"Oh, nothing. Never-mind. So what should we do?"
"I'm not sure, that's why I was looking for you."
"Lets go find Hermione, she's better at this. She'll know what to do. Did you run into Ron?"
"Ron? No I didn't see him at all."
"Really? Well, maybe he met up with Hermione."
They walked out of the common room and down the corridor.
"So is Professor McGonagall okay?"
"Yea, she's fine. Why did Shelbi do that?"
"She's been just having a off day."
Walking past Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom, they heard weeping inside.
"Who's that?"
"Myrtle. Maybe she's seen anybody."
Harry opened the door and Myrtle was sitting up on the windowsill crying.
"Myrtle, what's the matter?"
"Oh hello, Harry," Moaning Myrtle smiled.
"Why are you crying?"
"Some people think I don't have feelings because I'm not alive."
"What happened?"
Fern was fixed on what the two were saying to each other.
"This girl came in and started a riot. Throwing her books against the wall, and chanting all different kind of spells, I have never heard of. I carefully asked her what was wrong and she, she picked up her books and threw them at me!"
Moaning Myrtle turned around waling and floated to the other end of the lavatory.
"Do you know what this girl looked like," Fern asked.
"No, sorry. All I could see was light coloured hair. I hid in my toilet until I heard she left."
"Well, thanks, Myrtle," Harry said looking at Jennifer, exchanging puzzled expressions.
"Oh, and I saw your friend walking out on the grounds earlier as well."
"Thanks, come on, Fern. Let's go."
They walked out of the bathroom and Harry asked,
"Fern is short for something, isn't it?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, because I know your name is Jennifer."
"What did you call me?"
"Jennifer. Why, should I not say that?"
"It's just, no one has called me that since my mum and dad went away."
"Do you remember who your mum and dad were?"
"No, but I do remember my brother. But after my parents died I never saw him again."
Harry was quiet, pondering, until they walked in the library.
"You look over there, and I'll go ask Madam Pickering."
Fern walked around through the aisles and Harry walked up to the bookkeeper.
"Excuse me, Madam Pickering?"
Madam Pickering looked up from reading the Daily Profit. She had dark brown hair that hung to her shoulders and violet eyes. She peered at Harry through her little glasses that balanced upon her nose.
"Yes, Mr. Potter. How can I be of service?"
"I was wondering if you've seen Hermione or Ron here lately?"
"Miss Granger was here and so was Mr. Weasley. Then they both left and I heard they were going back to the Gryffindor Common Room. They look so sweet together. Sorry I can't be much more of help."
"You're plenty of help, thanks!" Harry ran through the aisles and found Fern. "Jennifer, they went back up to the common room. Come on!"
"Harry, I'd really like it if you'd call me Fern. I don't want anyone else to know my real name."
"Okay, your secret is safe."
They ran out of the library, climbed the marble staircase, and walked in the common room. There, were Hermione and Ron sitting close together reading a newspaper clipping from the Daily Profit at the tables. In between them, Harry noticed that they were holding hands. Harry cleared his throat and said,
"There you two are! We've been looking for you two everywhere. Ron, I thought you were going to look for Jen-Fern."
Looking at Hermione, then Harry and Fern, he gulped and said,
"Well, I couldn't find her and since I already knew where Hermione was, I went to help her with whatever she needed help with."
"Ah, okay. Did you find anything?"
"As a matter of fact, yes."
"And?"
Ron stood with his arms crossed nodding his head saying,
"Tell them Hermione."
Hermione just shook her head and read:
Blow out at Bustriem's Broomsticks
Owner of Bustriem's Broomsticks, Mister Bustriem had just been closing up one late night on 26th of December when, supposedly from an eyewitness, a large, white, glowing abject flew right towards Bustriem, hitting him on contact. The witness ran over at once and helped him to his feet. However, as he did so, the one man walked off with Mister Bustriem into the night, claiming another witness. Bustriem hasn't been located yet, but the Ministry of Magic is on the trail. Their first suspect would be Miss Kellie Binsh, granddaughter of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Rumours are heard that she is around Hogsmeade. Beware!
*More exclusive updates from your most exclusive reporter,
Madam Vinaldi
Hermione put the paper down and asked,
"Well, what do you think?"
"Well-"
Fern interrupted,
"What are you implying?"
"I think this Kellie Binsh is at our school."
"But who could it be," Harry asked.
"I don't know, but we should all keep our eyes open. When one of us find Shelbi, let her know immediately."
Fern looked around at everyone and stammered,
"Well, ah, I'm going to go continue looking for her."
"We'll come with. We should all be looking for her-"
"No! I mean, ok, but everyone should split up. No partners. I'll look out on the outside cathedral grounds."
The three inquisitively nodded and looked at each other. There was a slight pause.
"Well," Fern began. "I guess we should start searching."
With that, she ran out of the common room, down the corridor, and scampered down the stairs to the Main Hall. As Harry searched the floors one through three and Ron searched floors four through six. Hermione then searched around the east side by the Quidditch Field and Hagrid's Hut (the Library had already been checked). Harry zigzagged through the halls by Transfiguration and found nothing except for Peeves, who (of course) was antagonizing Filch.
Walking past McGonagall's classroom, Professor McGonagall was trying to seize control over a fidgety snake.
"Would you please just calm down," she yelled. She must have been using it for a spell for one of her next classes. He stopped and watched for a moment.
"Flipendo!"
However, the snake moved out of the way in time. Harry heard the serpent hiss,
"Please, not again! Always the kid who messes up!"
Harry sniggered, but continued looking for Shelbi. Fern anxiously looked everywhere for her. She turned and as she walked down the path, she saw Shelbi and Hermione! Quickly, as she could, Fern ran over.
"There you are! We've been looking everywhere for you!" Fern prayed in her mind that Shelbi hadn't talked to whom she thought. "So, where have you been?"
Finally stopped talking to Hermione, Shelbi turned and asked,
"Excuse me, I didn't hear you."
"I said, where have you been?"
"Oh, I've been just walking around. I had to calm down about Dameon joining. Don't fret. I explained everything to Hermione. She understands."
"We should be getting back now," Hermione insisted.
Just then, Dameon had apparated.
"Ah-ha! I found you, and you, and you," he said pointing to each girl.
"Ha, ha. That was so funny, Dameon."
"I thought so."
He squinted his eyes, looking at Shelbi, and smiled.
"Could you be at least kind enough to leave us alone? We do not communicate with Slytherins!"
"Okay, relax."
He disapparated and the girls ran back into the school to find Harry and Ron. Harry was just exiting the third floor as they climbed the stairs.
"Where's Ron," Fern asked.
Suddenly, they looked up, hearing someone yell, OW, upon the fifth floor.
"That's where he is," Harry answered. "We better get on the stairs if we want to get up their.
The stairs were shifting over to the other side of the wall. Stomping up the stairs, they reached the fifth floor. There, Peeves was pulling on Ron's hair and robe, and then grabbing snow off the windowpane and throwing snowballs at him. They couldn't help but laugh at him.
"Very funny, let's not help out the kid who's getting snowballs thrown at him," Ron whined.
"Okay," Fern laughed.
What was that spell that McGonagall said to catch the snake, Harry wondered.
"Flipendo," he shouted and the knock-back jinx hit Peeves, sending him down the corridor.
"Thanks, Harry. I'm glad you found her, because I'm so tired. I'm off to bed. As the rest followed him to the common room, Colin Creevey ran up asking,
"Harry, did you see the recent Daily Profit?
"Yea, I did Colin. Why?"
"Oh, then I guess you've already seen my picture that I submitted to them."
"Wait, what picture?"
"This one." He put the paper up close to Harry's face. "See? I took it in Hogsmeade. I guess it had vital information. It talks about it." Harry took the paper and read the front page:
Binsh sited in Hogsmeade!
Thanks to a young boy from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he managed to take this picture while visiting Hogsmeade right before the holiday. As you can see, she walked into Gobi's Gowns. Editors from here at the Daily Profit were the first to notice it. They sent it into the Ministry of Magic and now they're searching around Hogsmeade, and to protect the students at the school, they will be searching the school and grounds.
*Exclusively from
Madam Vinaldi
"She was in Gobi's the day we were! What if something happened," Hermione quivered.
"Let's get up to the common room. It's almost after hours," Shelbi suggested, changing the subject.
They walked up to the Fat Lady portrait and she asked,
"Password?"
"Erm, Hermione. What's the new password," Colin asked.
"Aeristopathy."
The portrait opened and the group walked in.
"Like I said before," Ron yawned. "I'm going to bed."
"Goodnight," Hermione said, smiling. Harry looked at her and trying to keep her on her toes, he said,
"I wonder what the Ministry of Magic is going to do when they come here."
She stopped staring up at Ron, shook her head, and answered,
"They'll probably go to each house tower and see all the students."
"Wouldn't it be absurd if Kellie Binsh ended up in our house," Fern wondered. Shelbi didn't say it, but Fern could tell she wanted to say, shut up! Fern just smiled and Hermione added,
"That would be so frightful!"
"But I'm sure she wouldn't, because she couldn't pass through the gate. The alarm would go off." They all paused in silence, thinking. "And, don't forget her partner, Jennifer Ropett. She's just as dangerous."
"Well, true. However, we don't even know anything about her. All we've been hearing about is Kellie. I'm off to bed. Night, Harry. We'll figure this out in the morning."
"Night, Hermione."
Fern ran and followed Hermione.
"Wait! I'm going to bed too."
Harry and Shelbi were the only two down in the common room.
"Want to play Chess, Harry?"
"Sure," he answered, emotionless. As they played, Harry couldn't help but ask,
"Why did you do that in Transfiguration today?"
"You wouldn't understand," she answered as she placed her knight down.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"It was because of Woulvercote, okay?"
"What does Dameon have to do with this?"
"He just- bothers me!"
At that moment, Professor McGonagall came in, demanding,
"Miss Klein, follow me. Now!"
She got up and followed McGonagall to her office. As she sat down behind her desk, Shelbi stood, staring at her, waiting for her to talk. Professor McGonagall crossed her hands in front of her and stated,
"Today, in Transfiguration Class Level 5, was most troublesome indeed. Do you know why, Miss Klein?"
"Yes, Professor," answering with a dull tone, staring at the ground in front of her.
"I will not tolerate such behaviour. You will have two weeks detention," Shelbi's mouth dropped, as if she did nothing wrong. "And, fifty house points are to be taken. Now, go back to your dormitory. I don't want to see you out lurking the halls. And especially, do not do such a thing like that again, or you will find yourself with expulsion."
Shelbi clenched her wand and gritted,
"Yes, Professor McGonagall."
She left her office and fogged up the staircase. A prefect soon spotted her.
"Hey, you!"
Shelbi ran, but was soon caught by him casting,
"Ota Mota Mourtas! What are you doing out her after hours? Get back to you dormitory!"
"Sitracourbulous," she shouted the counter-curse. "I was going to my dorm! I was speaking with McGonagall. So leave me alone!"
She turned around and left. As she was entering the Gryffindor Tower, he shouted,
"Mind you attitude!"
"Aeristopathy," she said to the Fat Lady, ignoring him, and left the corridor. She noticed that Harry had gone to sleep, so she finished the game by herself and went to bed. The following morning at breakfast, Professor Dumbledore announced,
"All students must be aware of the Minister of Magic is visiting today. Don't be concerned though, they're just searching for someone who probably isn't here anyways. Everyone must remain in his or her common rooms, until further notice. No one is to be out roaming the halls. When you're finished eating, I expect you do so."
"Well, I'm already finished," Hermione, gloated. "I'll meet you back in the common room later."
"Hold on, Hermione. I'm coming too," Fern called.
"I guess I will too," Harry agreed. "See you later Ron. Bye, Shelbi."
As Shelbi turned to say, bye, Ron took his fork and grabbed some pancakes off Shelbi's plate. When she turned back around and looked down at her plate, she whined,
"Ron."
Quietly he walked over to the side of the garden and stared into the pitch- black room. The rustling continued and was growing louder. Walking closer, he was in the midst of the shadows and as he peered around the pillar, an owl flew out in front of him. Harry jumped back. He continued walking towards the sound and turned a corner.
At the end of the long, narrow corridor, there was a flickering light on the floor by his feet shining from the other side of the wall. Harry felt his hands up and down the stonewall feeling for any kind of space to grab hold of to open it. There wasn't.
"Maybe it needs a password," he thought. "Ding flingers! Primo Pastuer! Weasley Wizard Wheezes! Sherbet Lemon!"
He wasn't sure why he said those, but it was worth a shot. Then something dawned upon him,
"Voldemort!"
The wall scraped on the stone floor as it moved aside. Slowly and prudently, Harry moved down the short hallway. Squinting his eyes as the light shined brighter, he opened the wooden door, and there placed upon a platform was a rather large ball. It wasn't solid, but clear and looked as if it was a major power source of some sort. Glowing vigorously, it did nothing as Harry walked towards it with confusion. He wasn't sure if he should touch it or not, but Harry reached out his hand attempting to. Just as he was about to, he looked up hearing the voices coming from the other side of the wall.
He moved his hand away from the ball and, staring at it, walked towards the wall. Harry knelt down, peered through a hole in the wall, and looked in. Feeling the warm air flowing from the other side, he saw the girls' dorm room. There was Hermione and Fern sitting and talking, and Shelbi laying on her bed reading. He put his ear to the crack and listened.
"Hermione, could you help me with this question in Transfiguration," Fern asked. Shelbi peered over to them, rolled her eyes, and continued reading.
"Sure, what kind of question is it," Hermione answered.
"Well, it says to find the spell that will turn a rock into a mushroom and then conduct it, but I've searched this book back and forth."
"It's a trick question. The answer is in your notes that she gave us on Tuesday."
"Oh, I was never that great in Transfiguration. Tomorrow would you want to get Harry and Ron and do something?"
"We're going into Hogsmeade anyways, so we can go into the Joke Shop, then to the Three Broomsticks."
"Yea, okay. Shelbi, you going to join us?"
"Well, I guess I have no choice, now do I," she said with annoyance.
"You don't have to be so snobby about it."
"Sorry," she exaggerated and got up and went to downstairs.
Harry was wondering why Shelbi was in such a mood. Hearing a crash behind him, Harry ducked behind a bookshelf and watched a figure walk in. The person turned on the light and Harry noticed it was Hagrid.
"Why is Hagrid here? How does he know about this," he thought.
He watched him sit on a chair by the hole in the wall and putting his ear up by it.
"What is he doing?"
Harry slowly moved towards the door to get out, but accidentally knocked over the crystal. Hagrid quickly turned around and yelled,
"Hey, who's 'ere?"
Harry didn't stay around, so he grabbed his Invisibility Cloak, threw it over him, and fled. He could hear Hagrid yell back,
"No, he's escaped! I'll get you Shelbi!"
"Shelbi," Harry asked himself. "What does Shelbi have to do with this?"
As he ran up the marble staircase, nearly slipping and hitting his knee upon the stair, Harry limped while running back to the common room.
"Gladys Bells," he whispered. The Fat Lady was loudly snoring, not able to hear him. "Gladys Bells!"
She woke up cranky saying,
"What is it? Why must you wake me after hours? You should already be in bed sleeping as I was doing!"
"Sorry, I had to meet someone."
Quietly he tiptoed in and peered around the corner to see if Shelbi was still up. She wasn't so he crept up the stairs and pressed his ear up to the girls' dorm room door. Silent. He then opened up the door to the boys' dorms and went to bed.
When Monday morning came, everybody was reminiscing of the dance in Transfiguration. As Professor McGonagall walked up to the front of the room, the noise died down.
"Everyone," she began. "We are getting a new student, here at Hogwarts. In fact, he should be apparating shortly."
"Apparating." Hermione questioned.
Turning her head she answered,
"Yes, he received his license early, but I don't remember why."
Just then, the doors flew open, banging against the wall. The wind blowing inward was cluttering up the papers on the desks. Everyone grabbed at his or her things. As the boy stepped in, his head down, the doors closed. Ron's eyes widened as he said to Harry,
"Now that's an entrance."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each with confusion. He looked up and he had light brown hair, and green eyes.
"Mr. Woulvercote, I don't think all of that was necessary. Class, this is Dameon Woulvercote."
Hearing that name, Shelbi made a huge ink splash on her piece of parchment and quickly turned around.
"Please take a seat so I can begin class."
Walking over to the empty space next to Malfoy, Dameon viewed over by Shelbi as she hid behind a book. Professor McGonagall turned her back as she was writing up a spell. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Fern stared as he sat down. Hermione cleared her throat and asked him,
"So how did you get your Apparation License already?"
Dameon looked over an answered,
"There was an exception."
"Which was," Ron added.
"Me."
He rolled his eyes and looked up by Professor McGonagall. Ron and Hermione looked at each other and Ron gave this imitation eye roll and stuck out his tongue, making fun of Dameon. Professor McGonagall cleared her throat as Hermione giggled,
"Mr. Weasley, I hope your face expression is not telling me that you'd like detention and would also like your face to stay that way for the rest of the semester?"
"Oh, no professor. I was just practicing my, uh, new concentration expression."
"Well I imply that you seek a new one."
Ron turned towards Hermione and smiled. Hermione thought at first he was smiling at her, but instead, her was smiling at Fern, who was whispering,
"You are going to get in so much trouble."
"Okay class," Professor McGonagall started as she placed down her chalk. "I would like everyone to pick an item from the box floating passed you. Today's lesson is Ordinary nature objects transfigured into items that are more useful. Read the instructions on the board.carefully," eyeing Neville. "If you need any extra help, please ask."
Everyone grabbed a twig, a leaf, or a small animal. Neville, being the last one able to pick, ended up with a Sking. They also opened their books to page 257, where all the objects to choose from. With the words on the board,
Ala Broade _________ Bonn
And the names in the book to fill in the space:
Candela Brumsticke
Efire Pixie Dusten
Compasse Lanterian
The class began their trances. Lavendar Brown turned her dirt into pixie dust, Jennifer turned her rock into a lantern, and well, Neville, he turned his Sking into a walking, smelly compass.
"Um, Professor? I think I may need some help," he raised his hand saying.
"Yes, Mr. Longbottom."
The half Sking, half compass pointed itself in the direction of the door and ran quickly towards it. Professor McGonagall looked up, hearing a crashing sound (which Neville made attempting to catch it).
"Immobulous," she shouted pointing her wand at it, freezing the creature in place.
"Accio!"
Neville looked at Professor McGonagall with a sorry look upon his face.
"Well, I'm glad most of you are getting this assignment correct."
McGonagall grabbed the creature, pointed her wand and chanted,
"Ine undoe!"
The walking, smelly compass turned back into a Sking.
"Now, as you saw class. Turn your objects back to normal. Dameon," turning towards him and seeing he is not following the instructions. "Why aren't you working on this assignment?"
Looking up he responded,
"I've already done this."
Shelbi turned and looked at him. He noticed her looking at him, so he gave her an evil smile. She rolled her eyes and whispered to Fern,
"I can't believe he's here! We don't need anymore interruptions."
Fern eyes was all Shelbi needed to see that she was annoyed,
"What do you mean we? Suddenly I'm involved again? I don't think so."
"You think I want to do this for fun? We made a deal we have to stick with it."
"It seems more than that to you."
She turned and continued her spell.
"Okay then. I'll let him know."
"No, Don't do that! I'll get in trouble for sure."
Shelbi got up, grabbed her books, and walked out towards the door. Professor McGonagall noticed and demandingly asked,
"Miss Klein, just where do you think you are going? Sit down!"
Shelbi stopped, turned, and pointed her wand at Professor McGonagall and said,
"Evertusach!"
Silver shot out and hot Professor McGonagall sending her to the floor.
Shelbi put her wand away, looked at Dameon, gave him a nasty smile back, and walked out the door. Harry, Ron, and Hermione ran up and helped Professor McGonagall to her desk. They then sat back down in their seats. Harry leaned towards Fern and asked,
"Do you know what that was all about?"
With a petrified look upon her face, she didn't say anything.
"Fern? What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry," she hesitated. "But I have to go stop her."
Hermione asked confused,
"Stop her? From what?"
"I'll let you know later," she shouted as she ran out of the classroom.
She looked down one side of the corridor and saw nothing. She looked down the other side and just saw a glimpse of something and started to run towards it.
Back in the classroom, Hermione was still helping Professor McGonagall. The Slytherins were all smirking about, even Dameon. Harry carefully watched him and as he moved about, he was able to catch which house Dameon was actually in. Slytherin.
Dameon stood up and walked to Professor McGonagall's desk.
"Professor, I'm sorry for anything Shelbi may have caused. She was just like this at out old school."
Harry, Hermione, and Ron all looked at him shocked.
"You went to school, with her," Harry asked pointing towards the corridor.
"Yes, we used to get along quite well. Still, I've said too much. I'll go get her back for you."
"Why," Malfoy jumped up. "She's not that great to go and run for!"
Crabbe and Goyle snickered. Dameon raised his wand and said,
"Lindocraete!"
All the leaves upon the table flew over to Malfoy's mouth, stuffing them with in. Dameon looked at the class and proclaimed,
"Does anyone else want to object?"
The entire class placed their wands on their desks and sat still.
"Now, I'll go get her. Class is dismissed."
Professor McGonagall turned to him and strictly said,
"Mr. Woulvercote, I decide when class will be dismissed.Class is now dismissed! I want you all to practice this topic we learned today."
The class got up and left. Malfoy stood up still picking leaves out of his mouth. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stayed. Dameon watched everyone leave and then disapparated. Wind blew the papers around while he left.
"He thinks he's so great just because he can apparate and disapparate whenever he feels like it," Ron sneered.
"Ron," Hermione demanded.
"Yea."
"Shut up!"
"Fine, but it was great to see Malfoy get pushed around by someone."
Hermione looked at him, displeased, but couldn't help but smile.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes," Professor McGonagall answered. "I'm a lot powerful than Miss Klein, just the fall came unexpected."
"Okay, I'm going to the library. I'll see you both at the common room later."
"Why are you going to the library," Ron asked.
"I'll let you know later."
"Well, Harry. I'm going to go find Fern to help her find Shelbi."
"I'll go to the common room and meet up with you later," Harry nodded.
"Goodbye Professor!"
"Goodbye Mr. Weasley."
"Goodbye Professor."
"Goodbye Potter."
Walking back to the common room, Harry was stopped by Colin Creevey and his little brother.
"Hi Harry!"
"Hi Colin."
"Where are you going?"
"To the common room. Why?"
"Just curious."
"Okay, well I have to go now."
"Alright," he said. As Harry walked away, Colin shouted back,
"Hey Harry, look!"
Harry turned around and a large flash blinded him.
"Sorry, haven't taken a picture of you for my scrapbook in awhile."
"Ah, okay."
He continued walking and had been stopped again, but by Ginny.
"Hello, Harry," she said smiling.
"Hi Ginny. How are you?"
"I'm great, and you?"
"Okay, why are you so happy?"
"I can't hold it in! Guess what? Neville said that he liked me! I'm so happy."
"So you two are together then?"
"Yea!"
"That's nice. I have to go now though. Good to hear the news. Bye!"
"Bye, Harry," she cheerfully said, skipping down the corridor.
When Harry reached the common room, no one was around, so he sat and watched the fire crackle. Slipping into a quiet sleep, he dreamt about his mum and dad. There was also someone else there, but this person was a bit of a blur to him. All he could see what that it was a girl and maybe just a little younger than him.
"But who was she," he wondered.
He walked up to his mum and dad, and watched them play with his baby self and this girl. Suddenly, the girl came into view and the girl looked like.
"Fern!"
The girl his mum, and his dad were with, was Fern? He just stood there watching, until someone shaking him woke him.
"Harry! Harry! Wake up!"
"What?"
"Harry, I can't find Shelbi anywhere. She's not in the school, she's not on the grounds.what are you staring at?"
Harry shook his head from looking at Fern, who had awaked him, and answered,
"Oh, nothing. Never-mind. So what should we do?"
"I'm not sure, that's why I was looking for you."
"Lets go find Hermione, she's better at this. She'll know what to do. Did you run into Ron?"
"Ron? No I didn't see him at all."
"Really? Well, maybe he met up with Hermione."
They walked out of the common room and down the corridor.
"So is Professor McGonagall okay?"
"Yea, she's fine. Why did Shelbi do that?"
"She's been just having a off day."
Walking past Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom, they heard weeping inside.
"Who's that?"
"Myrtle. Maybe she's seen anybody."
Harry opened the door and Myrtle was sitting up on the windowsill crying.
"Myrtle, what's the matter?"
"Oh hello, Harry," Moaning Myrtle smiled.
"Why are you crying?"
"Some people think I don't have feelings because I'm not alive."
"What happened?"
Fern was fixed on what the two were saying to each other.
"This girl came in and started a riot. Throwing her books against the wall, and chanting all different kind of spells, I have never heard of. I carefully asked her what was wrong and she, she picked up her books and threw them at me!"
Moaning Myrtle turned around waling and floated to the other end of the lavatory.
"Do you know what this girl looked like," Fern asked.
"No, sorry. All I could see was light coloured hair. I hid in my toilet until I heard she left."
"Well, thanks, Myrtle," Harry said looking at Jennifer, exchanging puzzled expressions.
"Oh, and I saw your friend walking out on the grounds earlier as well."
"Thanks, come on, Fern. Let's go."
They walked out of the bathroom and Harry asked,
"Fern is short for something, isn't it?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, because I know your name is Jennifer."
"What did you call me?"
"Jennifer. Why, should I not say that?"
"It's just, no one has called me that since my mum and dad went away."
"Do you remember who your mum and dad were?"
"No, but I do remember my brother. But after my parents died I never saw him again."
Harry was quiet, pondering, until they walked in the library.
"You look over there, and I'll go ask Madam Pickering."
Fern walked around through the aisles and Harry walked up to the bookkeeper.
"Excuse me, Madam Pickering?"
Madam Pickering looked up from reading the Daily Profit. She had dark brown hair that hung to her shoulders and violet eyes. She peered at Harry through her little glasses that balanced upon her nose.
"Yes, Mr. Potter. How can I be of service?"
"I was wondering if you've seen Hermione or Ron here lately?"
"Miss Granger was here and so was Mr. Weasley. Then they both left and I heard they were going back to the Gryffindor Common Room. They look so sweet together. Sorry I can't be much more of help."
"You're plenty of help, thanks!" Harry ran through the aisles and found Fern. "Jennifer, they went back up to the common room. Come on!"
"Harry, I'd really like it if you'd call me Fern. I don't want anyone else to know my real name."
"Okay, your secret is safe."
They ran out of the library, climbed the marble staircase, and walked in the common room. There, were Hermione and Ron sitting close together reading a newspaper clipping from the Daily Profit at the tables. In between them, Harry noticed that they were holding hands. Harry cleared his throat and said,
"There you two are! We've been looking for you two everywhere. Ron, I thought you were going to look for Jen-Fern."
Looking at Hermione, then Harry and Fern, he gulped and said,
"Well, I couldn't find her and since I already knew where Hermione was, I went to help her with whatever she needed help with."
"Ah, okay. Did you find anything?"
"As a matter of fact, yes."
"And?"
Ron stood with his arms crossed nodding his head saying,
"Tell them Hermione."
Hermione just shook her head and read:
Blow out at Bustriem's Broomsticks
Owner of Bustriem's Broomsticks, Mister Bustriem had just been closing up one late night on 26th of December when, supposedly from an eyewitness, a large, white, glowing abject flew right towards Bustriem, hitting him on contact. The witness ran over at once and helped him to his feet. However, as he did so, the one man walked off with Mister Bustriem into the night, claiming another witness. Bustriem hasn't been located yet, but the Ministry of Magic is on the trail. Their first suspect would be Miss Kellie Binsh, granddaughter of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Rumours are heard that she is around Hogsmeade. Beware!
*More exclusive updates from your most exclusive reporter,
Madam Vinaldi
Hermione put the paper down and asked,
"Well, what do you think?"
"Well-"
Fern interrupted,
"What are you implying?"
"I think this Kellie Binsh is at our school."
"But who could it be," Harry asked.
"I don't know, but we should all keep our eyes open. When one of us find Shelbi, let her know immediately."
Fern looked around at everyone and stammered,
"Well, ah, I'm going to go continue looking for her."
"We'll come with. We should all be looking for her-"
"No! I mean, ok, but everyone should split up. No partners. I'll look out on the outside cathedral grounds."
The three inquisitively nodded and looked at each other. There was a slight pause.
"Well," Fern began. "I guess we should start searching."
With that, she ran out of the common room, down the corridor, and scampered down the stairs to the Main Hall. As Harry searched the floors one through three and Ron searched floors four through six. Hermione then searched around the east side by the Quidditch Field and Hagrid's Hut (the Library had already been checked). Harry zigzagged through the halls by Transfiguration and found nothing except for Peeves, who (of course) was antagonizing Filch.
Walking past McGonagall's classroom, Professor McGonagall was trying to seize control over a fidgety snake.
"Would you please just calm down," she yelled. She must have been using it for a spell for one of her next classes. He stopped and watched for a moment.
"Flipendo!"
However, the snake moved out of the way in time. Harry heard the serpent hiss,
"Please, not again! Always the kid who messes up!"
Harry sniggered, but continued looking for Shelbi. Fern anxiously looked everywhere for her. She turned and as she walked down the path, she saw Shelbi and Hermione! Quickly, as she could, Fern ran over.
"There you are! We've been looking everywhere for you!" Fern prayed in her mind that Shelbi hadn't talked to whom she thought. "So, where have you been?"
Finally stopped talking to Hermione, Shelbi turned and asked,
"Excuse me, I didn't hear you."
"I said, where have you been?"
"Oh, I've been just walking around. I had to calm down about Dameon joining. Don't fret. I explained everything to Hermione. She understands."
"We should be getting back now," Hermione insisted.
Just then, Dameon had apparated.
"Ah-ha! I found you, and you, and you," he said pointing to each girl.
"Ha, ha. That was so funny, Dameon."
"I thought so."
He squinted his eyes, looking at Shelbi, and smiled.
"Could you be at least kind enough to leave us alone? We do not communicate with Slytherins!"
"Okay, relax."
He disapparated and the girls ran back into the school to find Harry and Ron. Harry was just exiting the third floor as they climbed the stairs.
"Where's Ron," Fern asked.
Suddenly, they looked up, hearing someone yell, OW, upon the fifth floor.
"That's where he is," Harry answered. "We better get on the stairs if we want to get up their.
The stairs were shifting over to the other side of the wall. Stomping up the stairs, they reached the fifth floor. There, Peeves was pulling on Ron's hair and robe, and then grabbing snow off the windowpane and throwing snowballs at him. They couldn't help but laugh at him.
"Very funny, let's not help out the kid who's getting snowballs thrown at him," Ron whined.
"Okay," Fern laughed.
What was that spell that McGonagall said to catch the snake, Harry wondered.
"Flipendo," he shouted and the knock-back jinx hit Peeves, sending him down the corridor.
"Thanks, Harry. I'm glad you found her, because I'm so tired. I'm off to bed. As the rest followed him to the common room, Colin Creevey ran up asking,
"Harry, did you see the recent Daily Profit?
"Yea, I did Colin. Why?"
"Oh, then I guess you've already seen my picture that I submitted to them."
"Wait, what picture?"
"This one." He put the paper up close to Harry's face. "See? I took it in Hogsmeade. I guess it had vital information. It talks about it." Harry took the paper and read the front page:
Binsh sited in Hogsmeade!
Thanks to a young boy from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he managed to take this picture while visiting Hogsmeade right before the holiday. As you can see, she walked into Gobi's Gowns. Editors from here at the Daily Profit were the first to notice it. They sent it into the Ministry of Magic and now they're searching around Hogsmeade, and to protect the students at the school, they will be searching the school and grounds.
*Exclusively from
Madam Vinaldi
"She was in Gobi's the day we were! What if something happened," Hermione quivered.
"Let's get up to the common room. It's almost after hours," Shelbi suggested, changing the subject.
They walked up to the Fat Lady portrait and she asked,
"Password?"
"Erm, Hermione. What's the new password," Colin asked.
"Aeristopathy."
The portrait opened and the group walked in.
"Like I said before," Ron yawned. "I'm going to bed."
"Goodnight," Hermione said, smiling. Harry looked at her and trying to keep her on her toes, he said,
"I wonder what the Ministry of Magic is going to do when they come here."
She stopped staring up at Ron, shook her head, and answered,
"They'll probably go to each house tower and see all the students."
"Wouldn't it be absurd if Kellie Binsh ended up in our house," Fern wondered. Shelbi didn't say it, but Fern could tell she wanted to say, shut up! Fern just smiled and Hermione added,
"That would be so frightful!"
"But I'm sure she wouldn't, because she couldn't pass through the gate. The alarm would go off." They all paused in silence, thinking. "And, don't forget her partner, Jennifer Ropett. She's just as dangerous."
"Well, true. However, we don't even know anything about her. All we've been hearing about is Kellie. I'm off to bed. Night, Harry. We'll figure this out in the morning."
"Night, Hermione."
Fern ran and followed Hermione.
"Wait! I'm going to bed too."
Harry and Shelbi were the only two down in the common room.
"Want to play Chess, Harry?"
"Sure," he answered, emotionless. As they played, Harry couldn't help but ask,
"Why did you do that in Transfiguration today?"
"You wouldn't understand," she answered as she placed her knight down.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"It was because of Woulvercote, okay?"
"What does Dameon have to do with this?"
"He just- bothers me!"
At that moment, Professor McGonagall came in, demanding,
"Miss Klein, follow me. Now!"
She got up and followed McGonagall to her office. As she sat down behind her desk, Shelbi stood, staring at her, waiting for her to talk. Professor McGonagall crossed her hands in front of her and stated,
"Today, in Transfiguration Class Level 5, was most troublesome indeed. Do you know why, Miss Klein?"
"Yes, Professor," answering with a dull tone, staring at the ground in front of her.
"I will not tolerate such behaviour. You will have two weeks detention," Shelbi's mouth dropped, as if she did nothing wrong. "And, fifty house points are to be taken. Now, go back to your dormitory. I don't want to see you out lurking the halls. And especially, do not do such a thing like that again, or you will find yourself with expulsion."
Shelbi clenched her wand and gritted,
"Yes, Professor McGonagall."
She left her office and fogged up the staircase. A prefect soon spotted her.
"Hey, you!"
Shelbi ran, but was soon caught by him casting,
"Ota Mota Mourtas! What are you doing out her after hours? Get back to you dormitory!"
"Sitracourbulous," she shouted the counter-curse. "I was going to my dorm! I was speaking with McGonagall. So leave me alone!"
She turned around and left. As she was entering the Gryffindor Tower, he shouted,
"Mind you attitude!"
"Aeristopathy," she said to the Fat Lady, ignoring him, and left the corridor. She noticed that Harry had gone to sleep, so she finished the game by herself and went to bed. The following morning at breakfast, Professor Dumbledore announced,
"All students must be aware of the Minister of Magic is visiting today. Don't be concerned though, they're just searching for someone who probably isn't here anyways. Everyone must remain in his or her common rooms, until further notice. No one is to be out roaming the halls. When you're finished eating, I expect you do so."
"Well, I'm already finished," Hermione, gloated. "I'll meet you back in the common room later."
"Hold on, Hermione. I'm coming too," Fern called.
"I guess I will too," Harry agreed. "See you later Ron. Bye, Shelbi."
As Shelbi turned to say, bye, Ron took his fork and grabbed some pancakes off Shelbi's plate. When she turned back around and looked down at her plate, she whined,
"Ron."