Chapter Fifteen -- Bit and Cut

They had stayed together the whole night, though when he woke to find Harry looking down on him like a nosy father, he insisted he and Lavender had done nothing, merely comforting each other. And when he found out that his sister and best friend had been together all night, Ron turned the tables, and it was then Harry who had to insist nothing had happened.

Dumbledore had gone to find them first thing in the morning, telling Harry and Ron privately that they would not be able to visit Hermione for quite some time. But, on a happier note, he told them she was going to be well by Christmas in four weeks. He told them that their Christmas presents would probably be waking up to find Hermione hanging presents in their face and offering hugs. Harry noted that he said this while looking mostly at Ron.

Lavender joined them for breakfast, sitting next to Ron and Dean, across from Harry and Ginny. Harry was surprised to see her talk so much with them, considering he never really thought of her as a real good friend before. She had a lot of input when it came to Quidditch--"Gryffindor just has to win the Cup this year!"-- and she mentioned some tips of how to avoid Bludgers that Harry had never considered.

"Did you see anything?" Dean asked her, as the subjected turned to the events of the night before.

Lavender shook her head and closed her eyes. "J-Just the blood," her voice trembled.

"It must have been awful," Ginny whispered, afraid that if she spoke too loudly, new tears would clean her face.

"Thank goodness Hermione is okay," Lavender said, a bit of happiness forced. "I don't know what I'd have done if--"

"Where was Ruby?"

Lavender blinked at Harry, surprised by his sudden question. "Uh…I don't know. I know she wasn't with us that night. Said she had to do some things for Dumbledore. Sounds suspicious to me, but if you're implying--"

"I'm not implying anything," Harry interrupted. "I'm just asking. She wasn't there? She wouldn't have seen anything?"

"Unless she was hiding behind a curtain and watched it happen, I'm most certain she did not see anything. Harry, what--?"

"What about the night Seamus died?"

"I don't know. I…" she thought for a moment then exclaimed, "No! No, she wasn't in the room then, either! Oh Harry, what do you think--?" But she could not finish, for Harry had stood up and walked out, without saying anything. Lavender turned to Ron. "Does he normally do this?"

Ron's eyebrows were furrowed, and he shook his head. "It's not like him…. Where's he going?" He stood up and began to leave, when Ginny put up her hand and stood herself.

"No, Ron. Let me find him."

Opening his mouth to protest, then closing it, Ron nodded and sat back down. Ginny ran after Harry.

^*^*^

"N-Not werewolf!" Hermione shouted again, causing Dumbledore to pat her hand. "R-Remus innocent. W-Wolf!"

"Are you sure, Hermione?" Dumbledore asked her.

Pomfrey shook her head. "I must interfere, Professor! This girl is in no state to talk! Just look at her, Albus!"

Sighing, Dumbledore stood after patting Hermione's hand once more, and nodded. "If you insist, Poppy. But she must be allowed to speak soon. I must hear clear evidence of how it was not a werewolf."

"W-Werewolves just bite!" Hermione suddenly said, causing Dumbledore to look down at her. "Scratched and clawed…only wolves…. The snout…."

Eyes widening, Dumbledore made a mental note of what Hermione was saying. "Thank you, Hermione, but you should sleep now. You have been very helpful. Please, though, calm down." He watched as Hermione's body fell heavy against the mattress, and her eyes closed, indicating her descend into sleep. He smiled wearily and looked up at Madam Pomfrey. "If she says anything, let me know. Remember exactly what she says. Write it down, if need be."

She nodded, and then whispered, "Albus…how could a wolf have gotten in a dormitory?"

"I am confused also, Poppy. But I do have my suspicions…" he shook his head and forced a smile upon the doctor. "Thank you. Let me know if Miss Granger says anything. I shall be back tomorrow to visit her." He left, leaving Pomfrey to her work and Hermione to sleep.

^*^*^

A shrill song filled the room, and Harry turned to see Fawkes singing happily. He noticed that the bird was young, just a baby Phoenix. He smiled to it, and it flew over to him, landing on his shoulder proudly. Harry rubbed his stomach lightly, and Fawkes nipped his finger lovingly.

"Harry?"

Harry turned around and smiled at the Headmaster, who had just entered the room. "Good morning, sir. May I ask how Hermione is?"

"She's well. To what to I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

Harry sighed, trying to straighten himself in the chair without disrupting the bird on his shoulder. As Dumbledore sat in his chair behind the desk, Harry bit his lip and said, "Well, sir, it is about the new student, Ruby Rocale."

"Ah, yes!" Dumbledore exclaimed, eyes flashing happily. "Go on."

"Well, Professor, erm…" Harry thought for a moment before continuing, "Is she an Animagus?"

Dumbledore looked surprised. "Heavens no!" he laughed. "Whatever gave you that idea?"

He blushed and felt rather foolish. "Because she's never in bed in her dormitory when these attacks occur. I asked Lavender, and she said Ruby wasn't there last night, or the night of Seamus' death."

Leaning seriously over his desk, Dumbledore asked sternly, "Harry, do you think that Ruby is killing the students?"

Harry blushed again but sheepishly nodded.

Dumbledore sat back, a small amused look on his face. "I assure you, Harry, that Ruby is harmless. She is of no threat. You have my word."

"But, sir…" Harry stopped himself before he said anymore, and changed the question. "Is Remus going to be freed?"

"I am currently preparing to compose a letter, explaining the situation," Dumbledore replied, pulling out a quill and parchment as he answered. "You see, Harry, according to the brilliant Miss Granger, it was not a werewolf at all that had attacked her. Rather, a plain wolf. And the two are very different."

"Yeah," Harry suddenly said, excited, "she said that to me when I went to help her!"

"Oh?"

Harry nodded. "But how could she be sure?"

"Miss Granger pointed something out that I cursed myself for not seeing before. Harry, werewolves simply bite their prey, allowing them to infect the prey with the Curse of the Moon. It is how more werewolves are made. But this predator bit and cut the victims, which is not in a werewolf's character to do. She also said that the snout was all wrong, but," he chuckled, "Madam Pomfrey made me leave Miss Granger alone before I could hear more."

"But sir," Harry said, "how is it possible that a wolf entered the castle?"

"I have my predictions," Dumbledore said, a frown covering his smile. "But those are not to be shared until I have some proof."

Harry nodded and stood, Fawkes flying off of his shoulder back into his cage. Harry smiled at the bird and turned back to Dumbledore. "Professor, I must admit that I'm scared."

Dumbledore frowned. "You want to know a secret, Harry? I am too."