A Twisted Candle chapter Five
Candle sadly walked to the library, where she was sure she would find Malfoy. Why did he help me? Why did he look at me like that? And what was so wrong that he had to get away, as fast as possible? Is it me? She then shook her head, remembering that this was a delicate time for Malfoy, and people do weird things when vulnerable. Like me coming here. She thought, strangely. But then she found herself thinking of the way Malfoy had looked into her eyes, and saw something so frightening, that he ran away. That both hurt and puzzled Candle. She then started looking for Malfoy, and found him in the strangest place she thought possible. He was huddled in the very corner of the library, away from all the bustling students. Malfoy was, from her point of view, crying. She unexpectedly felt her heart go out to him, even though he was always so mean and cold to her. As quietly as possible, Candle walked over to Malfoy, and put her hand hesitantly on his shoulder. At once, he jerked around, saw it was her, and his tear-streaked face paled. He tried to get up and away from her, but Candle lightly held him down. She put her books on the table, and scooted a chair out and sat down next to him. Without really knowing what she was doing, Candle kindly pulled Malfoy toward her, and he put his head down on her shoulder. He tensed for a moment, and then relaxed as massive sobs overcame him. Candle gently began to stroke his head, a little shaky as she began to cry herself. Malfoy covered his face with his hands, and then seemed to just let it all out. Candle started rocking, back and forth. This went on for about thirty minutes, or so, until Malfoy calmed down a little. He then, slowly raised his face, and looked at Candle with what appeared to be thanks, and respect in his eyes. Candle then new that this meant their whole relationship, if you wanted to call it that, would hopefully change for the better. Candle hoped that Malfoy would be nicer to her, and that they could now be friends, and not enemies. Malfoy seemed to realize that at the same time, and, as if in thanks, nodded slightly. He then did the most unthinkable thing, and hugged her! Candle blinked and was stunned into complete and utter surprise. Malfoy pulled away, and smiled a small smile. He stood up, and reached down to help her up. But this time, it was not awkward at all.
Harry looked through a book of Hogwarts history. "These books are not good. I need to go to the restricted area." Harry said. "Asks Professor McGonagall for a pass to the restricted area." Suggested Ron. "That won't work, Harry! You know Professor wouldn't want you to get involved in another mystery that risks your life!' Hermione argued. "Thought you weren't speaking to me?! Arguing counts!" Ron snapped. "Dimwit, I was talking to Harry not you! So you broke it first!" Hermione retorted. Ron went red with anger. "Harry perhaps we should use your invisibility cloak tonight and sneak into the restricted area." Ginny advised. "How do you know about his invisibility cloak?!" Ron said to her. "If you actually kept your 'journal' hidden better maybe I wouldn't be so tempted to read it! It really is a danger to Harry as well since anyone could get their hands on it!" Ginny replied calmly. Ron gaped at her. "You've been reading my journal?!" Ron shouted a little too loud. "It's not important." Ginny answered. "Like hell it isn't! It's my journal! Betrayed and by my own family!" Ron said in shock. Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's decided. We'll all go tonight using my cloak." Harry whispered. "Don't worry, Harry. I'll help you as good as I can." Ron said. "Your best is your worst." Hermione muttered. "Excuse me?!" Ron spat. "If you too are going to keep fighting like this I won't take you at all! You'll make too much noise and Filch will find us!" Harry snapped at them. They looked down in shame. "I'll help at least." Ginny spoke up after a moment of silence. "Thank you, Ginny." Harry said gratefully as if punishing Hermione and Ron for not helping him.
Harry opened his chest and took out his cloak. Ron and Hermione were still asleep. "Leave them. They're still fighting. Actually, I think they fell asleep over a challenge of a muggle game Candle brought with her called 'Battleship'." Ginny whispered urgently. Harry obeyed knowing it would probably end up in trouble and wrapped the cloak around him and Ginny. "Let's go. Try to be very quiet. Keeping talking to a minimum and whisper." Harry instructed. "I'm not as stupid as Ron makes it sound like!" Ginny replied.
Ron and Hermione awake 'coincidentally' at the same time. They glanced at the clock. "They left us!" Ron and Hermione said in unision jumping up from the chairs they fell asleep in. "Hey look, I won!" Ron exclaimed looking at their game with was facing random directions from someone knocking it around in their sleep. "What? Don't be silly! That's my side! Can't you tell by the wise formation! Your's is messy!" Hermione said. "I am not stupid! That's my side!" Ron said sternly. "There's only one thing to do!" Hermione said coldly. Ron nodded. "Rematch!" they shouted.
Candle laid in her bed sleeping peacefully. Suddenly urgent knocks on the door awoke her. Candle's emerald eyes fluttered open and she gently sat up. She had on a long white nightgown with a red bow on the collarbone. The collar went in a V shape. Her hair was somewhat messy from sleep but still poured gracefully down her shoulders. Candle's bear feet touched the ground lightly and then the rest of her weight went upon them as she walked to the door. Candle sleepily opened the door and saw Malfoy completely dressed like school was beginning! Candle yawned and looked at him. Malfoy's mouth was gaping at her and Candle looked at him confused. "What is it?" she asked softly. Malfoy suddenly regained his voice. "I-I thought I'd take a walk to clear my mind since G-Goyle has. His funerals the day after tomorrow. I know mostly Slytherins will be there. Y-you will come won't you?" Malfoy asked anxiously. Candle smiled warmly. "Of course I will." She said comfortingly. There was an awkward silence. "Is that all?" Candle asked a little annoyed at her sleep being disturbed. "I-I was wondering if you would go fro a walk....with me." Malfoy finished, blushing slightly. Candle gazed back at the clock in her room. It said 3:06. Candle wanted so badly to sleep but she sighed and gave in. "All right, I'll walk with you." Candle said looking back at the room full of girls who surprisingly hadn't woken up from Malfoy's knocks. Candle was shocked to find Hermione's bed empty but quickly dismissed it to be that she had only gone to the bathroom or something. Candle stepped out and gently closed the door behind her. She didn't change since the girls might wake up and she was planning to go back to bed soon...hopefully.
Hermione looked loathingly at Ron. "Miss." Ron said as he quietly moved his battle ship to the right and called it a miss. Hermione smiled. " E-4!" Ron said. Hermione looked down as he had narrowly missed her carrier. "Miss." She said sweetly. Ron frowned. "D-7!" Hermione said. Ron grimaced. "M- Miss." He said slowly. "You lying little cheater! I hit you1 I can tell!" Hermione shouted. "How dare you accuse me! You have no proof that I've been cheating!" Ron yelled. "Fine let's see!" Hermione said spinning his game around. She smiled. "Ha! I was right! And what's this? Hey! I said all those numbers! You said I missed! I killed your destroyer!" Hermione said furiously. Hermione grabbed the game in anger and threw it at the wall hitting Ron's baby picture. Ron gave a cry. "HOW DARE YOU!" he shouted angrily. "I'm gonna-!" he didn't finish his sentence. "You're going to what?" Hermione challenged. Ron looked at her furiously and the next thing that happened shocked them both. Ron monstrously grabbed Hermione on the lips. In turn, Hermione kissed back passionately each one roughly running their hands through one another's hair and suddenly fell over.
Harry peaked around the corner and then slowly gestured for Ginny to follow him as he kept the cloak tightly wrapped around them. They finally reached the shelf Harry was going to start searching. Harry gently picked out a few books. He had no clues where to start or what happened to him but it was best to look up enemies of Hogwarts. Ginny tightly held the lamp as Harry read. Ginny grabbed some books on information of the houses at Hogwarts to see if Slytherin had any particular enemies. "It's no use," Ginny whispered to Harry, "All these books are old! Whoever murdered Goyle is a recent enemy probably or maybe just a sick criminal who came for fun at Hogwarts!" Harry feeling hope slipping away gently put the book back on its shelf. "Whose there?!" a voice shouted and Ginny in surprise turned around and dropped the lamp, shattering it. Harry and Ginny froze as they heard footsteps come their way. Someone limped over to them in the dark looking around with their lamp. It was Filch. Harry and Ginny held their breath and could feel their hearts thumping. Harry suddenly felt a drowsy feeling come over him and he felt it. Something was in the library....something evil. Harry swallowed down his dry throat. Ginny looked at him with concern noticing his strange behavior suddenly. Harry felt a shadow creeping out from under his feet suddenly. He drowsily looked down and saw something black in the floor with eyes. Ginny followed Harry's eyes. She went pale and her eyes widened and suddenly she let out a scream and scrambled back. The cloak fell off by Ginny's reaction but before Filch saw anything, the shadowy creature sped toward him and knocked the old man out swiftly.
Harry heard footsteps approach and saw Candle in her nightgown with Malfoy. Swiftly the black shadow climbed up the walls and to the roof. It went up to a chandelier and suddenly the chandelier broke off from its hanging and fell down toward Malfoy and Candle. "Subsisto Cado!" Harry cried as he pointed his wand at the chandelier. A spark formed from his wand and then what looked like a sheet of clouds went beneath the chandelier. "Harry!" Ginny cried pushing him out of the way as the shadow creature. The shadow disappeared into the dark. Ginny stood there for a moment frozen and then her eyes slowly rolled back as her body fell. "Ginny!" Harry cried as he stopped her from falling. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain. He looked straight into Candle and Malfoy's frightened eyes and then everything went black.
Candle looked as the shadow disappeared it not the dark again. She felt her heart pounding. Here were people with MAGIC and they couldn't defend themselves! What hope did she have?! Malfoy stepped protectively in front of Candle and he scanned the area for the shadow. "What can shadows not stand?" Malfoy murmured. "Light but then you still have a shadow so the light would have to be above like the sun." Candle said quickly. A black spot darted toward them. "Lumos!" Malfoy shouted holding his wand above his head. The shadow shrank back in fear and pain but it couldn't stop it's speed soon enough as it approached Candle. Malfoy shoved her out of the way and she hit a shelf. The shadow passed but the wand was knocked from Malfoy's hand. The room swiftly went completely dark. Malfoy and Candle couldn't see each other and worried for each other's safety. They felt her hearts thumping in their chest and their breathing was shallow. They waited for the final blow to come out of nowhere. Candle heard Malfoy gasp and then a thud. Then a deadly silence followed. Candle held back the tears. She was all alone and defenseless. She wondered if it was going to knock her out or kill her! She sank o her knees. "Help...." she said hoarsely. Candle felt whatever it was a foot away from her! "Centered Sol Solis!" a voice cried, which Candle recognized as Snape's. A bright flash of light filled the room and Candle saw the shadow flee in pain into the dark. She breathed with relief and felt weariness overcome her.
Candle awoke in a bed, and tried to open her eyes, to find her vision all cloudy. She didn't remember what had happened at first, but then it all came back to like a kick in the stomach. She remembered Harry, Ginny, and Malfoy! With what little strength she had, she bolted upright in worry, but lost her balance from not being able to see, and fell out of the bed. Candle shook her head, somewhat clearing her vision. She then realized that she was in the hospital wing, again. Candle tried to stand up, but someone grabbed her and put her on the bed. She looked up to see the school nurse, and tried to explain that she had to see her friends. "No, no, stop! You don't understand! I have to see them! It's urgent! Please--!" but she was cut off. "If you want to see your friends, then look to your left." Candle had a bad feeling as she slowly turned her head to her left, and gasped. Harry, Ginny, and Malfoy were all lined up in hospital beds. She immediately got up and went to each one of them, saying their names. But when she came to Malfoy, she started to cry, but the nurse tried to calm her down, saying, "Calm down, child! You'll work yourself to death! They aren't hurt. They're just asleep, from the healing potion I gave them. They should wake up in about, oh, two hours or so. Now, get back in bed, child, and rest. You still have classes to go to." She finished, lightly pushing a very quiet Candle to her hospital bed.
Malfoy woke up about two hours later, and felt like hell had come to pass. He groggily stood up, and then fell over onto another bed. Thankfully, it was empty. Malfoy then remembered the shadow, and Candle! 'Oh no!' He thought, wildly. He looked around and, not seeing Candle in any of the beds, felt relieved. But suddenly a terrible thought came to Malfoy that almost made him choke on his next breath. What if the reason she wasn't in the hospital was that it killed her! He stumbled back in shock and felt sick to his stomach. 'No, not again, not another, not Candle!' Malfoy thought crazily. He went quickly to find the nurse, and found her in her office. "Tell me, was Candle Rosenburg in here at all?" he choked out. The nurse smiled and said, kindly, "Why yes." Malfoy felt his heart start to crumble. "She left to go to her next class about, um, fifteen minutes ago after I made her go." She smiled even more. "Quite concerned for you, she was. Stayed for a whole hour and a half by your side, just looking at you, waiting. I think you've got a really good friend there, Malfoy. Don't you go treating her badly. She deserves more than that!" she scolded him, mildly. But Malfoy wasn't listening. He was so relieved that Candle was all right, but he was also upset that he hadn't been awake to see her. He walked back into the main hall, and looked at his schedule. Malfoy smiled when he saw that his next class was Defense Against the Dark Arts. That meant that he would get to see Candle! He was so happy, that he didn't even notice Harry and Ginny staring at him weirdly. Malfoy started to walk, then jog, and then he just decided to run all the way until he got to his class. "When the shadow attacked him to you think it hit him in the head? He looks, I dunno, giddy." Harry muttered to Ginny.
Candle felt relieved that Sirius already knew she didn't know magic so when they did stuff using magic, which was practically everyday, he let her off. However, this made the other students suspicious. In her other classes she struggled everyday with an explanation as to why she couldn't. "I'm not feeling well today! Magic can go wrong if you're ill!" "I don't want to do it in front of the entire class! I'm bad at magic!" Candle would be saved when Hermione, Ron, or Harry distracted the teacher suddenly, but Snape was not so easy. "I prefer to do potions without magic. You never know when magic won't help you in the wilderness! You would need your hands to rely on then!" "Miss Rosenburg, perhaps I should make it clear to you that you need magic to make potions. Without it you cannot make the potions and are stuck in the wilderness anyway! Ten points form Gryffindor and an F for your assignment Ms. Rosenburg!" Snape would say. This routine of when they actually sued magic in that class happened every other week. Not only was Gryffindor losing points, but People were getting suspicious of her, teachers as well, and she couldn't protect her friends! Candle furrowed her brow. She didn't believe in witchcraft or wizardry as it resulted in evil! Magic is what killed her parents! But still, if she wanted to get revenge and find out why her parents were killed she needed to learn! Also, she could help her friends and life would go much smoother at Hogwarts! Hermione wouldn't have to do her homework anymore!
Candle stood up immediately when the bell rang and turned to Malfoy. "I need to learn magic!" she said. Malfoy gave her a confused look. "You've known I am Muggle but Malfoy, I don't know magic!" Candle said suddenly feeling ashamed and worried about what Malfoy thought of her. Malfoy sighed. "Then how have-!" "I'll explain later!" Candle said cutting him off.
Malfoy entered the shop with Candle. It was a Hogsmeade weekend. "I thought this place was only candy land!" Candle said somewhat awestruck. "I love the chocolate frogs!" she said feeling a warm feeling come over her. Malfoy smiled. "They have magic shops here as well. First we are going to purchase you a wand!" Malfoy explained. "But I don't know magic so how can we tell which wand I-!" "Listen if Granger can do it so can you!" Malfoy said. Malfoy picked up a wand and handed it to her. "One of our finest! At the end is a golden strand of hair of a water fairy entangled with a silver strand of hair from a unicorn's mane!" said the storeowner. Candle smiled in awe and felt a heavenly feeling at holding the wand. "Most wands have only one strand of a certain type of hair at the end but here in Hogsmeade we have multiple hairs attached! If you would like to purchase one with more enchanting hair-!" "I'll take this one please." Candle said beaming as Malfoy bough tit for her. She gave him a swift kiss on the cheek and he blushed as they walked out of the store. "Where to next?" she asked. Malfoy smiled. "To get you some lunch and more candy. Then we're going to get you a broom!" he said. Candle looked at him in excitement.
"This will be your first flying lesson!" Malfoy said as him and Candle stood out in a secret part of the courtyard away from the students so no one could see them. "First we need to keep out of sight otherwise you may get suspended for flying against the rules! Stand to the left of the broom and put your right hand over the broom. Now concentrate hard on the broom and say 'Up'!" Malfoy instructed. "Up...." Candle said looked at the broom. "No, no! You have to say it with feeling!" Malfoy said. "Up-Up-Up-!" Candle shouted then the broom suddenly flew up to her hand. She seemed shocked and confused at first but then looked up to Malfoy. "Now get on it- Go on!" Malfoy instructed. Candle cautiously got on. "Grip it tightly! Now concentrate hard! Kick off from the ground and then hover above it in air." Candle did as he said. She kicked off a few times and her broom ended up making her fall over while in the process hitting her in her legs or somewhere. Finally, she kicked off the ground and then hovered above it slowly. Her broom seemed to rock uneasily in the air. Then it fell onto the ground. "Close. That's enough for today! We'll keep practicing around this area around this time everyday, how does that sound?" Malfoy said. Candle nodded. ''Till then do you want to fly with a real pro!" Malfoy said proudly. Candle stifled a giggled and Malfoy got on his broom. He motioned for her to come and get on. Candle sat behind Malfoy and gently clutched around his stomach tightly. Without warning Malfoy shot up and Candle held on tightly. Malfoy did some spins and dives. Candle would hold on very tightly and burry her head in his back. Malfoy seemed to find a strange joy in this and it made him do more dives and spins for some reason.
Candle sadly walked to the library, where she was sure she would find Malfoy. Why did he help me? Why did he look at me like that? And what was so wrong that he had to get away, as fast as possible? Is it me? She then shook her head, remembering that this was a delicate time for Malfoy, and people do weird things when vulnerable. Like me coming here. She thought, strangely. But then she found herself thinking of the way Malfoy had looked into her eyes, and saw something so frightening, that he ran away. That both hurt and puzzled Candle. She then started looking for Malfoy, and found him in the strangest place she thought possible. He was huddled in the very corner of the library, away from all the bustling students. Malfoy was, from her point of view, crying. She unexpectedly felt her heart go out to him, even though he was always so mean and cold to her. As quietly as possible, Candle walked over to Malfoy, and put her hand hesitantly on his shoulder. At once, he jerked around, saw it was her, and his tear-streaked face paled. He tried to get up and away from her, but Candle lightly held him down. She put her books on the table, and scooted a chair out and sat down next to him. Without really knowing what she was doing, Candle kindly pulled Malfoy toward her, and he put his head down on her shoulder. He tensed for a moment, and then relaxed as massive sobs overcame him. Candle gently began to stroke his head, a little shaky as she began to cry herself. Malfoy covered his face with his hands, and then seemed to just let it all out. Candle started rocking, back and forth. This went on for about thirty minutes, or so, until Malfoy calmed down a little. He then, slowly raised his face, and looked at Candle with what appeared to be thanks, and respect in his eyes. Candle then new that this meant their whole relationship, if you wanted to call it that, would hopefully change for the better. Candle hoped that Malfoy would be nicer to her, and that they could now be friends, and not enemies. Malfoy seemed to realize that at the same time, and, as if in thanks, nodded slightly. He then did the most unthinkable thing, and hugged her! Candle blinked and was stunned into complete and utter surprise. Malfoy pulled away, and smiled a small smile. He stood up, and reached down to help her up. But this time, it was not awkward at all.
Harry looked through a book of Hogwarts history. "These books are not good. I need to go to the restricted area." Harry said. "Asks Professor McGonagall for a pass to the restricted area." Suggested Ron. "That won't work, Harry! You know Professor wouldn't want you to get involved in another mystery that risks your life!' Hermione argued. "Thought you weren't speaking to me?! Arguing counts!" Ron snapped. "Dimwit, I was talking to Harry not you! So you broke it first!" Hermione retorted. Ron went red with anger. "Harry perhaps we should use your invisibility cloak tonight and sneak into the restricted area." Ginny advised. "How do you know about his invisibility cloak?!" Ron said to her. "If you actually kept your 'journal' hidden better maybe I wouldn't be so tempted to read it! It really is a danger to Harry as well since anyone could get their hands on it!" Ginny replied calmly. Ron gaped at her. "You've been reading my journal?!" Ron shouted a little too loud. "It's not important." Ginny answered. "Like hell it isn't! It's my journal! Betrayed and by my own family!" Ron said in shock. Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's decided. We'll all go tonight using my cloak." Harry whispered. "Don't worry, Harry. I'll help you as good as I can." Ron said. "Your best is your worst." Hermione muttered. "Excuse me?!" Ron spat. "If you too are going to keep fighting like this I won't take you at all! You'll make too much noise and Filch will find us!" Harry snapped at them. They looked down in shame. "I'll help at least." Ginny spoke up after a moment of silence. "Thank you, Ginny." Harry said gratefully as if punishing Hermione and Ron for not helping him.
Harry opened his chest and took out his cloak. Ron and Hermione were still asleep. "Leave them. They're still fighting. Actually, I think they fell asleep over a challenge of a muggle game Candle brought with her called 'Battleship'." Ginny whispered urgently. Harry obeyed knowing it would probably end up in trouble and wrapped the cloak around him and Ginny. "Let's go. Try to be very quiet. Keeping talking to a minimum and whisper." Harry instructed. "I'm not as stupid as Ron makes it sound like!" Ginny replied.
Ron and Hermione awake 'coincidentally' at the same time. They glanced at the clock. "They left us!" Ron and Hermione said in unision jumping up from the chairs they fell asleep in. "Hey look, I won!" Ron exclaimed looking at their game with was facing random directions from someone knocking it around in their sleep. "What? Don't be silly! That's my side! Can't you tell by the wise formation! Your's is messy!" Hermione said. "I am not stupid! That's my side!" Ron said sternly. "There's only one thing to do!" Hermione said coldly. Ron nodded. "Rematch!" they shouted.
Candle laid in her bed sleeping peacefully. Suddenly urgent knocks on the door awoke her. Candle's emerald eyes fluttered open and she gently sat up. She had on a long white nightgown with a red bow on the collarbone. The collar went in a V shape. Her hair was somewhat messy from sleep but still poured gracefully down her shoulders. Candle's bear feet touched the ground lightly and then the rest of her weight went upon them as she walked to the door. Candle sleepily opened the door and saw Malfoy completely dressed like school was beginning! Candle yawned and looked at him. Malfoy's mouth was gaping at her and Candle looked at him confused. "What is it?" she asked softly. Malfoy suddenly regained his voice. "I-I thought I'd take a walk to clear my mind since G-Goyle has. His funerals the day after tomorrow. I know mostly Slytherins will be there. Y-you will come won't you?" Malfoy asked anxiously. Candle smiled warmly. "Of course I will." She said comfortingly. There was an awkward silence. "Is that all?" Candle asked a little annoyed at her sleep being disturbed. "I-I was wondering if you would go fro a walk....with me." Malfoy finished, blushing slightly. Candle gazed back at the clock in her room. It said 3:06. Candle wanted so badly to sleep but she sighed and gave in. "All right, I'll walk with you." Candle said looking back at the room full of girls who surprisingly hadn't woken up from Malfoy's knocks. Candle was shocked to find Hermione's bed empty but quickly dismissed it to be that she had only gone to the bathroom or something. Candle stepped out and gently closed the door behind her. She didn't change since the girls might wake up and she was planning to go back to bed soon...hopefully.
Hermione looked loathingly at Ron. "Miss." Ron said as he quietly moved his battle ship to the right and called it a miss. Hermione smiled. " E-4!" Ron said. Hermione looked down as he had narrowly missed her carrier. "Miss." She said sweetly. Ron frowned. "D-7!" Hermione said. Ron grimaced. "M- Miss." He said slowly. "You lying little cheater! I hit you1 I can tell!" Hermione shouted. "How dare you accuse me! You have no proof that I've been cheating!" Ron yelled. "Fine let's see!" Hermione said spinning his game around. She smiled. "Ha! I was right! And what's this? Hey! I said all those numbers! You said I missed! I killed your destroyer!" Hermione said furiously. Hermione grabbed the game in anger and threw it at the wall hitting Ron's baby picture. Ron gave a cry. "HOW DARE YOU!" he shouted angrily. "I'm gonna-!" he didn't finish his sentence. "You're going to what?" Hermione challenged. Ron looked at her furiously and the next thing that happened shocked them both. Ron monstrously grabbed Hermione on the lips. In turn, Hermione kissed back passionately each one roughly running their hands through one another's hair and suddenly fell over.
Harry peaked around the corner and then slowly gestured for Ginny to follow him as he kept the cloak tightly wrapped around them. They finally reached the shelf Harry was going to start searching. Harry gently picked out a few books. He had no clues where to start or what happened to him but it was best to look up enemies of Hogwarts. Ginny tightly held the lamp as Harry read. Ginny grabbed some books on information of the houses at Hogwarts to see if Slytherin had any particular enemies. "It's no use," Ginny whispered to Harry, "All these books are old! Whoever murdered Goyle is a recent enemy probably or maybe just a sick criminal who came for fun at Hogwarts!" Harry feeling hope slipping away gently put the book back on its shelf. "Whose there?!" a voice shouted and Ginny in surprise turned around and dropped the lamp, shattering it. Harry and Ginny froze as they heard footsteps come their way. Someone limped over to them in the dark looking around with their lamp. It was Filch. Harry and Ginny held their breath and could feel their hearts thumping. Harry suddenly felt a drowsy feeling come over him and he felt it. Something was in the library....something evil. Harry swallowed down his dry throat. Ginny looked at him with concern noticing his strange behavior suddenly. Harry felt a shadow creeping out from under his feet suddenly. He drowsily looked down and saw something black in the floor with eyes. Ginny followed Harry's eyes. She went pale and her eyes widened and suddenly she let out a scream and scrambled back. The cloak fell off by Ginny's reaction but before Filch saw anything, the shadowy creature sped toward him and knocked the old man out swiftly.
Harry heard footsteps approach and saw Candle in her nightgown with Malfoy. Swiftly the black shadow climbed up the walls and to the roof. It went up to a chandelier and suddenly the chandelier broke off from its hanging and fell down toward Malfoy and Candle. "Subsisto Cado!" Harry cried as he pointed his wand at the chandelier. A spark formed from his wand and then what looked like a sheet of clouds went beneath the chandelier. "Harry!" Ginny cried pushing him out of the way as the shadow creature. The shadow disappeared into the dark. Ginny stood there for a moment frozen and then her eyes slowly rolled back as her body fell. "Ginny!" Harry cried as he stopped her from falling. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain. He looked straight into Candle and Malfoy's frightened eyes and then everything went black.
Candle looked as the shadow disappeared it not the dark again. She felt her heart pounding. Here were people with MAGIC and they couldn't defend themselves! What hope did she have?! Malfoy stepped protectively in front of Candle and he scanned the area for the shadow. "What can shadows not stand?" Malfoy murmured. "Light but then you still have a shadow so the light would have to be above like the sun." Candle said quickly. A black spot darted toward them. "Lumos!" Malfoy shouted holding his wand above his head. The shadow shrank back in fear and pain but it couldn't stop it's speed soon enough as it approached Candle. Malfoy shoved her out of the way and she hit a shelf. The shadow passed but the wand was knocked from Malfoy's hand. The room swiftly went completely dark. Malfoy and Candle couldn't see each other and worried for each other's safety. They felt her hearts thumping in their chest and their breathing was shallow. They waited for the final blow to come out of nowhere. Candle heard Malfoy gasp and then a thud. Then a deadly silence followed. Candle held back the tears. She was all alone and defenseless. She wondered if it was going to knock her out or kill her! She sank o her knees. "Help...." she said hoarsely. Candle felt whatever it was a foot away from her! "Centered Sol Solis!" a voice cried, which Candle recognized as Snape's. A bright flash of light filled the room and Candle saw the shadow flee in pain into the dark. She breathed with relief and felt weariness overcome her.
Candle awoke in a bed, and tried to open her eyes, to find her vision all cloudy. She didn't remember what had happened at first, but then it all came back to like a kick in the stomach. She remembered Harry, Ginny, and Malfoy! With what little strength she had, she bolted upright in worry, but lost her balance from not being able to see, and fell out of the bed. Candle shook her head, somewhat clearing her vision. She then realized that she was in the hospital wing, again. Candle tried to stand up, but someone grabbed her and put her on the bed. She looked up to see the school nurse, and tried to explain that she had to see her friends. "No, no, stop! You don't understand! I have to see them! It's urgent! Please--!" but she was cut off. "If you want to see your friends, then look to your left." Candle had a bad feeling as she slowly turned her head to her left, and gasped. Harry, Ginny, and Malfoy were all lined up in hospital beds. She immediately got up and went to each one of them, saying their names. But when she came to Malfoy, she started to cry, but the nurse tried to calm her down, saying, "Calm down, child! You'll work yourself to death! They aren't hurt. They're just asleep, from the healing potion I gave them. They should wake up in about, oh, two hours or so. Now, get back in bed, child, and rest. You still have classes to go to." She finished, lightly pushing a very quiet Candle to her hospital bed.
Malfoy woke up about two hours later, and felt like hell had come to pass. He groggily stood up, and then fell over onto another bed. Thankfully, it was empty. Malfoy then remembered the shadow, and Candle! 'Oh no!' He thought, wildly. He looked around and, not seeing Candle in any of the beds, felt relieved. But suddenly a terrible thought came to Malfoy that almost made him choke on his next breath. What if the reason she wasn't in the hospital was that it killed her! He stumbled back in shock and felt sick to his stomach. 'No, not again, not another, not Candle!' Malfoy thought crazily. He went quickly to find the nurse, and found her in her office. "Tell me, was Candle Rosenburg in here at all?" he choked out. The nurse smiled and said, kindly, "Why yes." Malfoy felt his heart start to crumble. "She left to go to her next class about, um, fifteen minutes ago after I made her go." She smiled even more. "Quite concerned for you, she was. Stayed for a whole hour and a half by your side, just looking at you, waiting. I think you've got a really good friend there, Malfoy. Don't you go treating her badly. She deserves more than that!" she scolded him, mildly. But Malfoy wasn't listening. He was so relieved that Candle was all right, but he was also upset that he hadn't been awake to see her. He walked back into the main hall, and looked at his schedule. Malfoy smiled when he saw that his next class was Defense Against the Dark Arts. That meant that he would get to see Candle! He was so happy, that he didn't even notice Harry and Ginny staring at him weirdly. Malfoy started to walk, then jog, and then he just decided to run all the way until he got to his class. "When the shadow attacked him to you think it hit him in the head? He looks, I dunno, giddy." Harry muttered to Ginny.
Candle felt relieved that Sirius already knew she didn't know magic so when they did stuff using magic, which was practically everyday, he let her off. However, this made the other students suspicious. In her other classes she struggled everyday with an explanation as to why she couldn't. "I'm not feeling well today! Magic can go wrong if you're ill!" "I don't want to do it in front of the entire class! I'm bad at magic!" Candle would be saved when Hermione, Ron, or Harry distracted the teacher suddenly, but Snape was not so easy. "I prefer to do potions without magic. You never know when magic won't help you in the wilderness! You would need your hands to rely on then!" "Miss Rosenburg, perhaps I should make it clear to you that you need magic to make potions. Without it you cannot make the potions and are stuck in the wilderness anyway! Ten points form Gryffindor and an F for your assignment Ms. Rosenburg!" Snape would say. This routine of when they actually sued magic in that class happened every other week. Not only was Gryffindor losing points, but People were getting suspicious of her, teachers as well, and she couldn't protect her friends! Candle furrowed her brow. She didn't believe in witchcraft or wizardry as it resulted in evil! Magic is what killed her parents! But still, if she wanted to get revenge and find out why her parents were killed she needed to learn! Also, she could help her friends and life would go much smoother at Hogwarts! Hermione wouldn't have to do her homework anymore!
Candle stood up immediately when the bell rang and turned to Malfoy. "I need to learn magic!" she said. Malfoy gave her a confused look. "You've known I am Muggle but Malfoy, I don't know magic!" Candle said suddenly feeling ashamed and worried about what Malfoy thought of her. Malfoy sighed. "Then how have-!" "I'll explain later!" Candle said cutting him off.
Malfoy entered the shop with Candle. It was a Hogsmeade weekend. "I thought this place was only candy land!" Candle said somewhat awestruck. "I love the chocolate frogs!" she said feeling a warm feeling come over her. Malfoy smiled. "They have magic shops here as well. First we are going to purchase you a wand!" Malfoy explained. "But I don't know magic so how can we tell which wand I-!" "Listen if Granger can do it so can you!" Malfoy said. Malfoy picked up a wand and handed it to her. "One of our finest! At the end is a golden strand of hair of a water fairy entangled with a silver strand of hair from a unicorn's mane!" said the storeowner. Candle smiled in awe and felt a heavenly feeling at holding the wand. "Most wands have only one strand of a certain type of hair at the end but here in Hogsmeade we have multiple hairs attached! If you would like to purchase one with more enchanting hair-!" "I'll take this one please." Candle said beaming as Malfoy bough tit for her. She gave him a swift kiss on the cheek and he blushed as they walked out of the store. "Where to next?" she asked. Malfoy smiled. "To get you some lunch and more candy. Then we're going to get you a broom!" he said. Candle looked at him in excitement.
"This will be your first flying lesson!" Malfoy said as him and Candle stood out in a secret part of the courtyard away from the students so no one could see them. "First we need to keep out of sight otherwise you may get suspended for flying against the rules! Stand to the left of the broom and put your right hand over the broom. Now concentrate hard on the broom and say 'Up'!" Malfoy instructed. "Up...." Candle said looked at the broom. "No, no! You have to say it with feeling!" Malfoy said. "Up-Up-Up-!" Candle shouted then the broom suddenly flew up to her hand. She seemed shocked and confused at first but then looked up to Malfoy. "Now get on it- Go on!" Malfoy instructed. Candle cautiously got on. "Grip it tightly! Now concentrate hard! Kick off from the ground and then hover above it in air." Candle did as he said. She kicked off a few times and her broom ended up making her fall over while in the process hitting her in her legs or somewhere. Finally, she kicked off the ground and then hovered above it slowly. Her broom seemed to rock uneasily in the air. Then it fell onto the ground. "Close. That's enough for today! We'll keep practicing around this area around this time everyday, how does that sound?" Malfoy said. Candle nodded. ''Till then do you want to fly with a real pro!" Malfoy said proudly. Candle stifled a giggled and Malfoy got on his broom. He motioned for her to come and get on. Candle sat behind Malfoy and gently clutched around his stomach tightly. Without warning Malfoy shot up and Candle held on tightly. Malfoy did some spins and dives. Candle would hold on very tightly and burry her head in his back. Malfoy seemed to find a strange joy in this and it made him do more dives and spins for some reason.
