Episode Nine

            McGonagall looked as severe as ever standing by the fire in the Gryffindor Common Room. She was grimacing at the very thought of Harry and Gwen sneaking out of Hogwarts to go gallivanting about in the Forbidden Forest, looking for god-knows-what.

"What did you think you were doing? Both of you know that the Forbidden Forest is strictly off limits. And you Mr. Potter, after all the trouble you've been in. I would've thought you'd have known better."

Gwen was feeling extremely stupid. Her stomach had warned her and her stomach never lied. She should have known that they would get caught or that something equally terrible would happen.

McGonagall wasn't finished. "And I am especially disappointed in you Ms. LeFey. One hundred points will be taken from Gryffindor and both of you will serve two consecutive detentions. You're lucky that you won't be expelled."

Harry watched Gwen's face fall as she fought to keep the tears welled in her eyes. He felt that it was really all his fault, but he knew that there was no use trying to talk to McGonagall when she was this upset.

"Now, off to bed."

Harry trudged slowly up the stairs as Gwen trudged slowly down. She looked back one more time at McGonagall and saw that she was looking back at her. She wanted to run over to her and tell her everything, about the dreams and that her mother had never answered her owl and about the strange relationship she had with Harry. But she couldn't move; she could only gaze at the older woman who looked so entirely crestfallen.

Finally she turned her head and continued down the stairs.

Of all the people to care, why McGonagall? Gwen had always felt that Professor McGonagall had a special connection to her, but she couldn't figure out why. Sure, she was in her house, but she rarely took a particular interest in her residents. There was something deeper, something older about their connection. That's all Gwen needed, another piece to the giant puzzle in her head.

She thought she'd never figure it out.