Take a look at disclaimer on the first chapter. Also, new policy: new chapter per week if there have been two reviews (three if one anonymous). Everything is politics... ;)

True Fear

They heard something fall on the ground. Harry took his wand.

-Lumos.

His wand lit. The others imitated him

-What happened, asked Denis, power outage?

The others looked him and said nothing.

-I really really don't like it, whispered Ron. Where's Ginny?

-THERE! screamed Collin.

They wouldn't have needed their wand, a pale glowing yellowish shape, like a ghost, but hooded with a skull instead of a face, came floating from the ceiling straight above them.

-WHAT THE HELL!!! screamed Ron and Collin.

-STUPEFY! cried Harry.

-IMPEDIMENDA! cried Hermione.

Both spells went through the ghost and hit the ceiling.

-PETRIFICUS TOTALUS! cried simultaneously Ron and Collin.

-RICTUS EMPRA! cried Denis at the same time.

-REDUCTO! cried Harry

-ANETEN ZIACICHA! cried Hermione with the boys.

All spells went through the ghost and again hit the ceiling, however, this time, Hermione's lightning bolt and Harry's reduction spells made many stones explode and fall. The ghost went through Ron, Collin and Denis and all screamed panicked and fell on the ground.

-Ron! cried Harry and Hermione.

-Necrum Crossam, said a voice across the hall.

It was the last thing Harry heard, because the spirit went through him and he collapse.

-Professor, there IS evidence of a severe threat! said a voice.

Harry opened his eyes, he was in the Hospital Wing. He was exhausted, sweated and not feeling so well. He looked and saw the Traveler speaking with Dumbledore. Ginny, Collin, Ron and Denis were also there, but only Ron had open eyes. Dumbledore had stopped talking when he saw that Harry was awake.

-Harry, you'd better stay in bed...

-What ... what happened? And where's ... where's Hermione?

Dumbledore turned his head to the Traveler and she stepped forward.

-What you saw was a Specter. It first attacked Miss Weasley, then you saw it and it attacked Mr Weasley and the Creevy brothers, while you were all attempting to destroy it. It finally attacked you while I was stopping it, so Prefect Granger is safe. But you, you need some rest.

-How long have we been here?

-You were attacked last evening, said Dumbledore. And the Traveler is right you need some rest.

Harry looked her. She sat beside him and turned her head towards him.

-Don't worry, rest for a couple more hours and you'll be in perfect shape for our classes together tomorrow, she said.

Harry smiled, then he realized.

-Isn't it odd?

Dumbledore and the Traveler looked him.

-Explained yourself, she asked.

-I mean, is that attack one of the odd things you told us about earlier?

-These things were when we fought against the Zombies, but you are right, it is the same kind of things.

-Please, explain...

-Specters NEVER venture away from their ruins or graveyard or whatever they haunt, or if they do so, they only go a few yards away or if they fallow a trespasser, attacking him. But that one was far away from the nearest ruin, attacked with no reasons and did not tried to kill you.

Harry's headache got worse and his head fell on the pillow, so the Headmaster and Teacher left. When he woke up few hours later he was feeling much better, but he was the only one left in the wing. The nurse checked him up and he returned to the Gryffindor tower, took a shower and dressed up. When he returned to the common room, Ron and Hermione were there, waiting for him.

-Pal! Glad to see you're alright!

Hermione hugged him and he knew she was crying.

-Oh, Harry, I was so afraid of losing you!

When she broke the hug, Harry explained them what the Traveler explained him.

-Pal, d'you think it was against US??? asked Ron.

They looked him.

-Yeah, could be from the ruins we explored, he explained.

-No, it would have killed us there.

-Even in the middle of the day?

-They are not afraid by the time of the day, only by daylight and we were underground!

Ron nodded.

-But we're never too sure, let's ask her after our tomorrow's classes, suggested Hermione.

-Yeah, and let's have her checked the jewel we found there, added Ron.

They agreed and Ron returned to his dormitory.

-Harry, I was really afraid of having lost you, said Hermione.

She hugged him again and Harry kissed her forehead. Collin arrived and, seeing the two, took a picture. They looked him.

-As soon as it is ready, I'll give it to you!

They smiled and looked each others. With no apparent reasons, Hermione broke the hug and ran to her room as Ron came back to the common room. He looked Harry.

-I tell you dude! That girl is mental!

-I know, but we love her this way.

The fallowing morning, they had again Defense Against the Dark Arts. There was an unusual crate behind the teachers desk. Each students told the class about the creature they had chosen and, after several minute, the Traveler stood up.

-Very good, all of you, so one point to Gryffindor for each of you. Now, We'll be talking of the Living Dead today. As an example, here is a Mummy.

Each students looked each others with panicked eyes as the Traveler opened the crate. A real Mommy slowly walked towards them, both arms standing in from of it, until the Traveler pointed her wand towards it. It them turned around and returned to the crate, where it lent against the back of the crate in a Rest in Peace position.

-Like Mr Longbottom told us, Mummies are enchanted well preserved human bodies. There are like Zombies, but smarter, are not afraid of sunlight and can resist stronger spells. They should be faster than them, but the bandages slow them down considerably. Also, Mummies can send curses. The victims suffers various setback, such as bad luck, diseases, pain, terror, temporarily lose their ability to use Magic or even, in rare circumstances, the victim can even die. Now, it was only and example, she added, closing the crate.

The students looked relieved.

-Afraid of a simple Mummy? We'll see much worst latter this year!

Again, the student had terrified eyes.

-Don't worry! You'll be ready to face them! Now, let's get back to the Living Dead. What does every Living Dead have in common?

Hermione raised her hand while the teacher was sitting on the corner of her desk.

-They are Animated or Enchanted by Magic, giving them an energy called Life Force. They are called Living Dead because that life force is applied on a Dead Body.

-I am surprised that you know the words Life Force, since it is an Necromancy term. You impress me, Miss Granger, fifteen points to Gryffindor. Also, that Life Force is almost always given by a wizard. Any one knows which ones?

Nobody raised their hand, looking scared of the answer, so the Traveler pointed Harry.

-Ehm, the Necromancer.

-Yes! Five points to Gryffindor. By the way, like Prefect Granger said, Living Dead may be Enchanted or Animated, any one knows the difference?

Obviously, no ones knew the answer, not even Hermione.

-Okay... In simple words, let say that Enchanting a Living Dead is giving it an autonomous Life Force and Animating it gives it a weaker and shorter Life Force. And some creature may only be Enchanted and some others may only be Animated. Any questions?

Nevile raised his hand.

-Then, why Animating them?

-Because it is quicker and easier, and usually animated creatures obey way more than enchanted ones. Now, for each Living Dead you told us about at the beginning, I want you to sort them between the Animated ones and the Enchanted ones.

They obeyed. Five minutes later, it was done.

-Let see... Skeletons may only be Animated, yes indeed... Zombies are not only Enchanted, they may be Animated too. Liches and Mummies are only Enchanted and you don't know for Dementors. Well, after a victim had his life and soul sucked by a Dementor, his body suffer a ritual in which it is Enchanted to become another Dementor. Terrible creatures they are... Powerful and terrible; the Ministry should never have made a pact with them. They are greedy about having access to victims, feel no mercy and don't care about sucking the soul of a dark wizard, a man, woman or child's one.

Harry's skin crawled.

-But still five points for the sorting. Also, since we got attacked by Zombies, I'm going to tell you a little more about them, although Mr Weasley made a good summary. Zombies are decayed bodies, mostly human, bound to a Necromancer. They are strong but dumb...

Ron looked Harry and said something like:

-Crabe and Goyle!

-And the Zombies have no personality, knowledge or feeling of any kinds. They only have few of the basic instincts of the living, such as eating, gathering and reproduction.

-Zombies BREED? asked Hermione out loud.

-Well, since they are rotten, they do not use genitals... However, if a Zombie kills a living, the victim becomes a Zombie and if many Zombies gather with a Necromancer, it makes mass bodies enchantments easier and allows much more Zombies to be Enchanted at once. However, the big weakness of a Zombie is that they always stay in big crowds and hide during the day, being afraid of sunlight. Also, one last thing is that Zombies must remain moisturized, they perish should they dry. Okay, now it is over for today. Next lesson, we'll see Lost Souls, but no evil creatures, but the lesson after yes, so, if you think you won't be able to stand it, tell me so and you'll be excused.

The students left, but Harry, Hermione and Ron came walked to her desk.

-You know quite a bit about them! said Ron, visibly impressed.

-Thank you, but Prefect Granger seems so too. How did you learn it?

-I burrowed Harry's book and read about it. But we had a question. Is it possible that the Specter was against us. I mean, we earlier found some ruins and explored them.

-Doubtful; the Specter would have frighten you to leave and if you wouldn't, it would have killed you there.

-Even in the middle of the day?

-Were you inside?

-Yes...

-Then yes, they are afraid of the Sun, not of the time of the day.

-Okay then, but still, we find those in the ruins. Are the safe? added Hermione, handing her the jewelry they've found.

-Well... That one is a Luck Necklace, it will bring good luck to the wearer...

-Then I'll take it! said Ron.

-That one is a spell ring... With a lightning shaped garnet, I'd say it's a Stupefy Ring. It can be used to cast the Stupefy spell without a wand. That one is a Health Necklace. The wearer will be healthy and will heal easier. This one is a Light Ring; the wearer will see in the night like in daylight and this last one is unknown to me right now, she said pointing a green ring. I'll take a closer look at it.

They nodded.

-But still, the only place where you could have found such things is in one of the ruins in the Forbidden Forest... You went there, didn't you?

They looked the floor, ashamed.

-Well... Ten points off Gryffindor and I want your words that you won't ever venture back there alone!

-We promise, they swore.

-Good enough. Since these ruins are no longer dwelled, what you found is yours, but I insist on looking that ring. And you'd better hurry up, you got three minutes left before being late for your next class...

They left the classroom.

-I'll take the Health Necklace and Light Ring, said Harry. Should be useful with my Invisibility Cloak!

-I'll take the books and the Stupefy Ring, added Hermione.

-I have the Luck Necklace, but it isn't really fair, said Ron on a friendly tone.

-We'll give you a BIG birthday present, said Harry and Hermione looking each others.

-But still, I wonder what that last ring is...

-Meet you back in front of Myrtle bathroom..., said Hermione.

-See ya!

Ron went to Divination as Harry and Hermione went to Arytmancy.

-One more thing, said Harry. I owe a lot to Ginny for this Summer, so, Hermione, I want you to share what you'll find it the books with her, should she need it.

-Okay... But still, I can't believe you'll be joining us in Divination! It is with Hufflepuff and we learn quite a lot!

Harry smiled. Professor Vector greeted him and told him that is won't be easy for him to join them after having missed so much.

-But, with such a good student as a very close friend, said the teacher, I'm sure Hermione will help you cath up pretty fast.

Harry was surprised to hear her calling Hermione, who went pink, by her first name. He sat and listened to the teacher. Arythmancy was boring, but still, professor Vector was making her best to make it look like interesting. When it was over, Harry and Hermione went back to Myrtle's bathroom. When Ron joined them, they all got it.

-Why d'you wanted us to meet here? he asked.

-Haven't you paid attention in Defense Against the Dark Arts? Remember what she told us few days ago!

Ron and Harry looked each others.

-Explain...

-She said that the Zombies were gathered in a big crowd in the middle of the day, that some had ventured away towards the Forbidden Forest and that was both Skeletons and Zombies.

-Then what? asked Ron, although Harry already knew what she meant.

-There must be a Necromancer behind it... And if he is openly attacking the school, you know who must be behind it!

Myrtle glided from the ceiling towards them.

-Hi you!

They looked her. She looked rather happy.

–Hi Myrtle, said Hermione. You seem to have had a good morning!

She made a shy smile and Harry understood that she must have peeped again in the prefect bathroom.

-Well, let just say that I saw things that cheers up and I am...

She was cut by the door opening and Traveler walking in. The three friend looked her, frozen and she turned her head towards them.

-I see that only one of you should be here... It is a girls' bathroom after all!

They tried to explain, but they could only stuttered incoherent words.

-Look, if you leave right now and don't ask any question, in return I won't ask any and Gryffindor won't loose any points.

-Thanks!

They left and returned to the Gryffindor Tower.

-What the hell was she doing there!!!

-Ron! She's a female and it was a girls' bathroom! explained Harry.

Hermione seemed to be thinking and she sat in front of the fire. Crookshank came and leaned on her knees.

-But still, if a Necromancer has joined Voldemort, it means we are facing a terrible threat! He could never raise an army powerful enough to overthrow the Ministry, but with the Dead, it is possible!

-Let's have a word with Dumbledore tonight, suggested Harry.

They looked him, hesitating, but agreeing.

-But now, I'm hungry, said Ron. Let's eat before our classes this afternoon.

So they went back to the Great Hall. The ceiling and tables had been repaired, so there was no traces of the battle. Harry couldn't stop staring at Hermione, and soon, Ron noticed it.

-Harry?

It brought him back to realty.

-What?

-Nothing, you were staring...

He went pink as Hermione asked him what he was staring at.

-Ehm, sorry...

She didn't insist. The afternoon classes passed by rather quickly... Binns being as boring as usual and tiny professor Flitwick began showing then the Conjuring spells.

-Conjuring allows you to literary create objects. It works very much like Transfiguration, that's why, in the fallowing weeks, Professor McGonagall will be reviewing it with you...

When it was over, only Hermione had successfully conjured water. They then hurried to the Headmaster office, and didn't have to bother about the password, the stairs behind the gargoyle was already deployed, so they climbed it and knocked the Headmaster's door.

-How may I help you?

-We've found out about the Necromancer...

Upon hearing that, Dumbledore had radiant eyes and a proud smile.

-Come in!

He sat behind his desk and invited them to sit in front of them.

-I knew you'd find out sooner or latter and that's why I allowed the Traveler to answer the questions that you were likely to ask her. You three are some of the bravest students who attended the school, but you are still young... And bravery won't save your lives, should you be facing another real danger...

-That's why we're here, explained Hermione.

-We'd like to learn it. How to defend ourselves...

Dumbledore's grew wider.

-Tell me exactly what do you think you'd need to know...

Harry, Ron and Hermione looked each others and made a quick brainstorm.

-First, learning combat spells should help, began Ron.

-I know, and the Traveler must have told you, like every students, that she will soon give lessons of combat spells in about a month for fifth grade student and over.

-Second, we'd need to know as much as there is to know about what we are facing in order to deal with it, began Hermione.

-I guess we could share what we know with you; knowledge is not dangerous by itself...

-And finally, learning a good way to hide from Voldemort on a way he is not expecting would be quite useful too, added Harry.

Dumbledore looked him puzzled.

-What exactly do you have in mind.

-My father and his friends were Animagi when they were at Hogwarts. I'd like to become one too. And learning how to Apparate would be great.

Hermione and Ron looked each others, obviously they were not expecting that. Dumbledore was looking rather proud and pleased and had a quite warm smile.

-The Ministy of Magic prevents us from teaching how to become Animagi and restrains us to teaching Apparate only to seventh grade students.

Harry frowned.

-However, I guess that giving you the right books and explanation, with a few tips wouldn't exactly be teaching it. And your godfather isn't a Hogwarts teacher... But you have to understand that it is quite long and that it take at least six month to become an Animagus!

-Six month? It took my father three years!

-Well... It took them about to years to figure out how to become Animagus and the other year was the real training to become one. And Mr Pettigrew slowed them down.

The friends smiled.

-I'll tell Minerva and Herm..., heum I mean the Traveler, to help you.

Harry looked him.

-Wait a second, how did you call her?

-The Traveler.

-No, you began saying something else.

-No, my thong twisted. And you three better go to the Great Hall if you want your supper to be still warm.

-Thanks!

They left.

-Harry, what was the matter with how he called the Traveler, asked Ron curiously.

-I'm not sure, but I swear he was about to call her Hermione.

Hermione looked him.

-So what? I know I'm not the only one with my first name.

-I know, but why would it bother her that we'd know her name if she has a human name? wondered Harry.

"And such a beautiful name!", he though, staring at her. He then felt an urge to say something, but instead he only said.

-Ehm, just go, I have to return to the dormitory, I'll join you latter.

He went back to his dormitory and took a mouthful of Ginny's potion.

-How the hell will I do? he asked himself.

He suddenly realized it. He was in love with her and she loved him, then why not? He smiled, wrote a note quickly and went to the aviary.

-Hedwig, I need you to give it to Hermione, BUT with tomorrow morning mail.

His snow owl hooted and flew to the ceiling. Harry then went back to the Great Hall.

-What took you so long pal? Got lost? asked Ron.

-Ehm, no, it took only a little longer than I expected. Hermione, what happened with Malfoy's detentions?

She smiled madly.

-Well, I gave him a week an a day worth of detentions, but the headmaster reduced it to only a week, but Crabe and Goyle got a detention night too and they won't work together.

-Herm, I've always wondered, how are the points calculated? I mean, what makes the hourglasses move?

-Well, every time someone who's allowed to gives or take points to a house, the castle moves the hourglasses.

-The CASTLE?!?

-It has been bewitched to.

-Who can give or take points?

Hermione looked him.

-Ron! I thought you would've learned it by now! The teacher can take up to fifty points and give up to twenty five points to a student, prefect can take up to twenty five points and give one point, the Head Boy and Head Girl can take up to twenty five points and can give up to ten points, the house-heads can take up to fifty points and give up to fifty points to a student in their house and the Headmaster can give or take as much points as he wants to.

-What about Flich and the house elves? asked Harry.

-Filch can take up to ten points and I've talked to Dumbledore at the end of the last year and now the house elves can take a point from the house of the trouble makers.

Ron looked Harry.

-Won't she ever stop with her spew stuff?!?

Harry remembered his summer.

-Hermione, you managed to make the Goblins join your cause.

-As soon as I asked the very first one to join, every ones who heard it gathered at once.

Harry was impressed.

-Had what about the house elves themselves?

She looked a little disappointed.

-They're now three who get paid for their work and every one has a day off each month.

Although he disagreed with all this, Ron didn't say a word. Someone came from behind and Harry turned to see who it was.

-Harry, the Quidditch season is about to start, so we'd need to find a new keeper and to chose a new captain, said Cathy Bell, one of his teammates.

-You're right and I have an idea for the new keeper.

-Let's meet Saturday at one pm in the common room.

She left.

-Who will it be? asked Creevy, curious.

Harry smiled.

-Ginny Weasley.