Chapter 4- In Which I Make A Bad Decision

"He said we shouldn't go to Hogsmeade unless we go with an older student. Apparently, the rodent and his cronies may be planning something," I told Colin. We sat in opposite armchairs, alone in the empty common room. Sunlight spilled in the open windows, carrying with it the scent of early springtime and good weather.

"It's such a beautiful day, though!" Colin sighed, as a breeze wafted through the room. He looked longingly outside. "It would be a shame to stay inside."

"I don't know about hanging with the older kids, though," I said. "Hermione and Ron will probably want to be alone, and I bet you anything Harry already has plans. I know Ginny is staying at the castle today, and Neville isn't any good in a crisis anyway. What about your brother?" I asked suddenly.

"Colin has stuff to do. He messed up a potion or something, and Snape is using today for his detention thing," Dennis sighed.

"Snape needs his bloody head examined," I grumbled. "Well, we have a choice to make. We either follow Blaise's advice and stay home like good little children, or we don't and run the risk that Malfoy has something planned!" I said mischievously. Dennis raised his eyebrows.

"So you want to go anyway?" he asked doubtfully.

"Yes!" I burst out. "Who says we have anything to worry about? We'll be in lain view of adults anywhere we go. Honestly! Come on, Dennis," I pleaded. "Please say you'll come!" Dennis sighed, resigned.

"Ok," he assented. "We'll go. But don't go wandering off, okay? We have to stick together, just in case." I agreed immediately, and we quickly began gathering the necessary items for a trip to Hogsmeade.

The sun shone brightly overhead, and lazy clouds drifted across the sky. Hogsmeade was filled with the sounds of people laughing and talking. Nothing threatening seemed evident anywhere.

"Zabini was probably just being paranoid or something," Dennis said at last. We walked slowly past shops bursting with color and noise until we reached Script and Kurl's. Stepping inside the cool shop, a scent of paper and ink greeted us. I hunted through a jar of brightly colored quills, selecting a few, and I found a bottle of ink that changes colors when you write with it. Dennis found himself a book entitled Medicinal Advances of Our Time, by Gotta Maladie. We purchased our supplies and left the shop again, nodding to Professor Trelawney, who swept in as we were leaving.

Dennis and I made our way to the Three Broomsticks, and finding an unoccupied table, sat down. A waitress swung over to us and took our orders.

"Butterbeer, please," said Dennis.

"I'd like an Imp, please," I said to the woman with a smile. "Thanks." She moved away, leaving Dennis and I to survey the interior of the bustling pub. I looked over to the door and stood up, seeing a friend from school.

"I'll be right back, Dennis. I have to go talk to Yolanda." I left the pub, back into the sunlight. I looked around and spotted my friend entering Honeyduke's down the road. I tried to hurry, but a large group of students moved past, forcing me to the side of the road a s a large cloud covered the sun. I kept moving, passing houses separated by little alleyways. As I moved to cross the road to the candy store, I heard a pitiful mewling coming from an alley. I turned to see a kitten, sitting forlornly by itself, looking up at me with round, silvery eyes.

Unable to resist, I moved toward the tiny creature, but it moved away. I moved closer. It sounded like it had been hurt! Was it limping? The kitten moved away, drawing me down the alley, past three houses. The cat sped up and disappeared around a corner a few feet away. When I moved to follow, I found myself out of sight of anyone, behind a ramshackle old house.

"Kitty?" I called. "Where are you?" I turned around, but heard a rustle behind me. Instead of a cat, I turned to see three figures cloaked in black.

"Now!" came the command. Malfoy's voice was unmistakable. Likewise were the grunts issued from the other two cloaked shapes. Vincent Crabbe on the right, Gregory Goyle on the left. Perfect. Blaise had been right! Now was I in for it… The figures advanced on me, blocking off any escape. I backed away, but found myself pressed against rough wood. Scared out of my wits, I settled into a fighting position, but froze in place as a wand was pointed at me.

"Don't move," ordered the cold voice. Malfoy removed his hood. "Scared now, aren't you?" He drawled icily. "I think it's time to have some fun." He flicked his wand, and I felt myself turn to the wall behind me. I couldn't stop myself! I beat my head against the wall several times, very hard, and then turned around as my legs moved out from under me. I rolled on the ground in pain as Crabbe and Goyle lashed out at me with their overly large feet. Malfoy raised his hand and they abated. He stepped forward, towering over me. I whimpered as he raised his wand again, but a familiar voice cried out before he could do anything.

"Mr. Malfoy!" Professor McGonagall came around the corner, flanked by Hermione and Dennis. Malfoy turned to run, but before he could move, the Transfiguration professor had him locked in place, along with Crabbe and Goyle. "I can't believe this! I had no idea any student of Hogwarts could be so cruel. Mr. Creevey, alert the Hogsmeade medics. Miss Granger, please find Professor Snape. He is most likely in the Apothecary." Hermione and Dennis hurried away. I shut my eyes as a wave of pain hit me. Professor McGonagall raised her wand and with a whispered incantation, a stretcher lifted me from the ground. Then everything faded into black and I knew no more.