Chapter 13 ~ Complicated
"I like you the way you are
When we're drivin' in your car
and you're talking to me one on one but you've become
Somebody else round everyone else
You're watching your back like you can't relax
You're tryin' to be cool you look like a fool to me
Tell me: why you have to go and make things so complicated?
I see the way you're acting like you're somebody else gets me frustrated
Life's like this you And you fall and you crawl and you break and you take what you get and you turn it into honesty and promise me I'm never gonna find you fake it"
-"Complicated" by Avril Lavigne
After Harry and Hermione's discussion, the Gryffindors piled in the beds, hoping to have a peaceful rest. They were resting peacefully for about an hour or so. They were interrupted, however, by a sudden shriek, that echoed throughout the hallways and towers. It was a terrible shriek, not that high- pitch, but a very frightened pitch.
Hermione rose up in her bed and regretfully rubbed her eyes to help them focus. She looked around the rest of the 7th year girls, who were also looking very tired.
Ron suddenly ran into the dormitory, with Pig in his arms, hooting terribly.
"Where's the fire?" Ron yelled, as he woke up the rest of the girls.
"Why is Pig here?" Hermione asked, ignoring Ron's question.
"He flew in the window and began hooting," Ron answered. "I told him to shove off, but he won't listen. Stupid owl."
Pig hooted gratefully, as though Ron had called him something cute and cuddly.
"Get out of here!" Parvati yelled. "Are you perverted or something?"
Ron blushed, but Lavender cried, "It's all right Parvati," and began to motion for Ron to sit down beside her.
Seamus began to walk quickly into the room, looking very tired. "Hermione – we need to instruct the rest of the Gryffindors," he instructed her. "I was…pant…just downstairs and Dumbledore wants to bring everybody into the Great Hall. Something's happened."
The rest of the girls and Ron looked very interested in what he said. Hermione merely nodded and began to follow him.
When she reached the Common Room, everybody was in a panic. They were screaming wildly about, making up rumours that someone had been killed.
Hermione told them to settle down, but instead, they became further panicked. "This is taking us nowhere…and fast!" Seamus groaned.
"Slizena!" Hermione cried, and a few red sparks flew out of her wand. They distracted the younger witches and wizards, and they all looked up to Hermione for instructions. "All right," she began. "Dumbledore has instructed us to go into the Great Hall."
"Is there going to be a meeting?" someone piped up.
"Are we going to have to go home?" someone else wailed.
"I can't really answer your questions," Hermione admitted. "But I'm sure that we're just going to go into the Great Hall to sleep. We'll be protected there. Now, let's line up – two by twos, all right?"
"It's like Moses' Ark," Ron told them, as he squeezed in between Seamus and Hermione. Harry was just coming down the stairs.
"It's NOAH'S Ark, Ron," Hermione corrected him, rolling her eyes. "What took Harry so long?"
"He was writing a letter to Cho – he wanted to finish it off," Ron informed Hermione.
"Ah, I see," Hermione smiled, as she swung open the portrait door. Seamus led the way; Hermione was going to be at the end.
"Sorry I'm late," Harry apologized. "Just sending Hedwig off to do some o- mailing."
Ron looked puzzled (and began to hit Pig when he began to shrill loudly) but Hermione chuckled. "I get it. It's like e-mailing. O-mailing is owl- mailing. Cute," she said. "When and where did you learn about e-mailing?"
"Me and Sirius went to an Internet Café when we were on vacation," Harry told her. "It was pretty fun."
"What in the bloody hell are you talking about?" Ron asked.
"Honestly Ron, you should take Muggle Studies," Hermione tsked as she looked at the rest of the Gryffindors. They were almost all out of the Common Room, marching with worry.
Ron shrugged. "Too late."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione completed the line and followed them down many staircases. The screams still continued, and made Hermione very frightened. "Certainly nothing that bad has happened, right? Surely no one got…killed?" she wondered, as she took Pig from Ron's arms and petting it uneasily.
The halls were stained with darkness, and many of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years began to whimper. Hermione and Seamus did their best to try to comfort them, but even they were slightly scared.
Suddenly, a group of ghosts flew through the wall and stopped the group of Gryffindors. It was Professor Binns, Nearly Headless Nick from Gryffindor, and Grey Lady from Ravenclaw.
"You must be careful," Nearly Headless Nick advised. "Something terrible has happened."
"Most peculiar," Grey Lady added, looking around in fright.
"Maybe it was like what happened in 1786," Professor Binns began. "…The Ghosts of Hiffletown heard startling screams and…"
"Uh…Professor Binns," Hermione interrupted. "I don't mean to be rude but now is not the time to be teaching a History lesson…"
"Ah…yes of course," Professor Binns said. "My sincere apologies. But you must be careful, young ones."
Hermione rolled her eyes but promised the ghosts that they would be careful. They continued through the hallways, around the corners, and down the staircases, getting occasional hoots and shrills from Pig, who didn't seem to realise that this wasn't the moment for noises.
They finally made their way downstairs, but it took quite some time to actually get into the Great Hall, because of all the commotion. Everyone was struggling to get inside. Harry commented by saying, "This is like a stampede!"
They found themselves inside the enormous Great Hall 10 minutes later. Everyone was worried as the screams continued, echoing. Professor McGonagull, Professor Flitwick, and Professor Sprout were all there watching guard. Professor Snape, Dumbledore, Oliver, Professor Musetta, Hagrid, and Professor Trewlaney (as usual) were missing.
Professor McGonagull got rid of the tables and conjured purple, squishy sleeping bags. The sleeping bags reminded Hermione of the time they had to sleep in the Great Hall in her 3rd year, when Sirius Black, the "convicted murderer" was on the loose. "He was innocent all along," Hermione remembered.
"See Harry," Ron began, as he took Pig from Hermione's arms and began striking him, "This is like what you said before. NOW I'm not a happy camper!"
"What are you talking about, Ron?" Hermione asked.
"It's a metaphor I used before," Harry responded, annoyed at Ron's poor knowledge of metaphors.
"Oh, I see," Hermione said. "Ron – stop hitting Pig! He's your pet!"
"Why do you think you call them pets?" Ron asked. "Because you can pet them! How can I pet this over-excited git?" At that moment, Pig began to zoom merrily around. Ron struggled to catch him, but Pig was too high. "See what I mean?"
Someone suddenly tapped Ron on the shoulder. It was Ginny. "Hey guys," she said in a whisper, as the students began to cuddle inside of their sleeping bags. "Do you have any clue what's going on?"
Hermione shook her head, but just then, Dumbledore strolled into the room, looking very old. His wrinkles reflected on his face, making him appear very wise yet very disturbed and angered.
"Students," Dumbledore cleared his throat, and tried to gain the attention of the school. "A terrible ordeal has taken place this night. I'm afraid…that a Prefect has been attacked."
Several people gasped. Hermione covered her mouth in shock. "A P-Prefect?" she managed to say.
"Yes, a Prefect," Dumbledore repeated. "The attacker has retreated without a clue of where he may be…"
Professor McGonagull looked at a loss for words. With a shaky voice she asked, "Is the Prefect all right? And…from which house?"
"The Prefect is going to be all right, except…for a few injuries…one large injury," Dumbledore told her. "The Prefect is from Ravenclaw."
Several groups of Ravenclaw began to sob. Hermione couldn't help but feel sorry for them. The second-year who was attacked earlier also ended up being a Ravenclaw.
"I'm afraid that you will not be able to return to your dormitories tonight," Dumbledore continued. "I've gotten Professor Musetta, Professor Wood, Professor Snape, and Hagrid doing an extensive search. You will all rest here tonight – Head Boy and Girl, and Prefects, I expect you to keep things in order here as well as Professor McGonagull, Professor Flitwick, and Professor Sprout." They all nodded as Dumbledore exited the Great Hall.
The Great Hall began to buzz with excitement, yet with terrified voices. Harry and Ron sat on their sleeping bags as Hermione scolded people for bringing Dungbombs down to the Great Hall. Ron had finally gotten a hold on Pig, who was still very excited. "I'll bring him to the Owlery," Ron decided as he stood up.
"That's not a very wise idea Mr Weasley," Professor McGonagull said. "You shouldn't be going alone. I will escort you."
Ron rolled his eyes but agreed as he left Harry and Hermione alone. "Who do you think could be doing this?" Harry asked.
"I'm not sure," Hermione said. "But whoever is really dislikes the Ravenclaws."
"Maybe they're attacking the Ravenclaws for a reason," Harry guessed, shrugging uneasily.
"What's that reason?"
"Maybe because their smart. Ravenclaws have a tendency to have brilliant minds."
"Do you think the attacker will try to get all of the Ravenclaws?" Hermione asked.
"Probably not. Remember – you told me that Dumbledore said that Voldemort was trying to reassemble a team," Harry said, while making Hermione flinch at the name. "Maybe he's trying to get people from every house – different varieties…or something."
"But why would he want a team of 2nd years and a Prefect from Ravenclaw?" Hermione asked.
"I'm not that sure," Harry admitted. "Do you think the attacker put a Dark Mark on the Prefect as well?"
"Probably," Hermione answered. "But why would he want to? I mean, I know it's the mark of the Dark Lord and all that – but can he make them all die because of it?"
"No," Harry replied. "When I was trapped in 4th year, when I touched the Cup, I saw that when Voldemort touched the Dark Mark all of the Death Eaters were assembled again. It's like whenever Voldemort needed to summon them, he would touch the Dark Mark."
Hermione shivered uneasily. "Will you stop saying the name?" Hermione asked through clenched teeth.
"Sorry," Harry apologized.
"Anyways, why would he want to summon young witches and wizards, who don't have full experience of magic? Who don't know exactly what they're doing?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know," Harry said. "I don't know. Do you think the figure I saw earlier had anything to do with what happened?"
"Maybe," Hermione shrugged. "Probably…actually….yes…It probably had everything to do with it Harry."
"Then it's all my fault that a Prefect got attacked tonight," Harry said despondently.
"What are you talking about? It's not your fault!" Hermione exclaimed, in incredulity of Harry's words. "No one could hunt down and successfully rid of a full grown…whatever it was. That's impossible. And it's not your fault that "it" got away either. You probably couldn't of."
"Oh, thanks for the words of encouragement," Harry said sarcastically.
"Harry, stop being a pessimist," Hermione scolded. "I'm not saying you're a bad wizard, because you're a great wizard Harry…but it'd be kind of hard to rid of something so big and fast, don't you think?" Harry didn't have time to answer, however; Ron had just come back from the Owlery.
"Oy," Ron whispered, as he settled down between Hermione and Harry. "On the way to the Owlery, I caught sight of Professor Musetta and Dumbledore carrying the Prefect."
"And?" Hermione asked, urging him to continue.
"And…" Ron began. "…He looked a terrible sight. His hair was all ruffled – the Cruciatus Curse was performed on him. And on his left arm…was the Dark Mark."
Hermione gasped uncontrollably and peered down at her white hands which were very cold. Harry looked around apprehensively. Ron said, "This is bad. Really, really bad."
"I suggest you three go to bed," Professor McGonagull warned. When Hermione began to protest, Professor McGonagull said, "We have everything under control for now, Head Girl. You may stand down from your position for the time being."
Hermione nodded. "Guess it's good night for now," Hermione said as she piled into her sleeping bag.
"Well, not quite," Ron chuckled. They were awake for a few more hours, and took sight of everything. Hermione was lucky that she had grown adjusted to sleeping on her chest instead of her back; she had a sight of everything that was going on at the entrance of the Great Hall. Professors scrambled back and forth, as well as Filch, Mrs Crookshanks, and Peeves, who was laughing about. The Ghosts made several appearances and talked to Dumbledore about which corridors were empty and which ones looked suspicious. Finally, at 3 in the morning, the Professors, Dumbledore, and Filch all came into the Great Hall to discuss with the rest of the other Professors standing guard.
"Gryffindor Tower is empty," Filch reported.
"Same with Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff," Professor Musetta informed them.
"And the dungeons?" Dumbledore asked.
"All clear," a hidden person said.
Hermione raised her head a little to see who spoke. She twisted her head to the side and nearly flipped over in her sleeping bag. Ron and Harry chuckled, but Hermione threw them a dirty look and they stopped. She stood up a bit more, so that she was almost on her knees (she appeared as though she was doing yoga) and noticed it was Oliver. "Oliver," she whispered.
"What about the grounds?" Dumbledore questioned.
"Nothing…I asked Ronan and Bane and they didn't see anything," Hagrid answered.
"Astronomy Tower?"
"Empty…except for Professor Trewlaney, who already knew that this catastrophe would occur," Professor Snape said infuriatingly.
"Then why didn't she stop it?" Dumbledore smiled.
"Felt she didn't have enough experience," Snape answered.
"She doesn't have enough experience in Astronomy or Wizardry," Professor McGonagull spoke up. "She's a fake."
"I resent that," a misty voice protested. "I may not be…that brilliant in the wizardry field," Professor Trewlaney admitted. "…But in Astronomy…I'm a genius!"
"Words are nothing – you're bluffing," Professor McGonagull countered. "Why don't you prove it?"
"Ladies," Professor Dumbledore disrupted. "There are other matters at hand that should be more of your concern…"
"My sincere apologies, Headmaster," Professor Trewlaney said. "My Inner Eye told me that something bad would happen tonight…an attack…and an argument."
"Why didn't you prevent the argument then?" Professor McGonagull asked. "You're great with your words."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione smirked. "I bet you anything that Professor McGonagull will win this fight," Ron betted.
"Okay, how about your Agrippa card?" Harry tempted.
"What? But I've been waiting too many years to get it!" Ron exclaimed.
"Well, if you're so sure that Professor McGonagull's going to win, then it shouldn't be a worry," Harry grinned.
"All right then," Ron gulped. "What if you lose though?"
"Then you get to keep your Agrippa card," Harry said.
Hermione rolled her eyes and glanced up at the enchanted ceiling as Ron tried to answer. It was a cool and windy night, and she could see the clouds shifting very fast up above. Finally, Ron came up with an answer.
"WAIT! You did this before and I won and I didn't get anything except for something I already had in the first place! That's not fair so the bet's off," Ron decided.
"Fine by me," Harry laughed.
After the conversation between the Professors, they all tried to find vacant sleeping bags, while Hagrid, Dumbledore, and Filch kept watch, just in case. Hermione watched as Oliver glanced around at the sleeping bags, trying to find out which ones were unoccupied. Hermione glanced beside her and found an empty sleeping bag which had contained Seamus before (now he was standing guard with Hagrid and asking questions).
"Oliver," Hermione called (although silently, as to not wake anyone). Oliver jerked his head slightly and looked at Ron. She waved her hand and pointed to the sleeping bag beside her. He got the hint and walked over. Harry looked over at Hermione and smiled as Oliver cuddled inside the sleeping bag.
"Hullo, Hermione," he greeted. "Long time no see."
"Hullo, Oliver," she responded. She felt she wanted to get right down to the point, however, and asked, "Why have you been avoiding me?"
"What?" Oliver asked in disbelief. "I haven't been avoiding you."
"I haven't seen you all day," Hermione countered. "Not at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Have you been cooped up in your office all day?"
"No, no, no, no, no…Hermione," Oliver began. "You've misunderstood. I was at a meeting with the Appleby Arrows…they wanted me to go over the tactics with them. They play their second game tomorrow and the reserve Keeper was having trouble doing one of my moves."
"Oh…sorry," Hermione apologized. "I was jumping to conclusions."
"How could you jump to conclusions?" Ron asked. "I mean conclusions aren't hard, solid, things that you can jump on. You can't jump on words! That's impossible!"
Harry, Hermione, and Oliver began to giggle but were yelled at by Snape and decided to go to bed.
Hermione shifted continuously in her sleeping bag, unable to find a decent position. She turned her head towards Oliver, who was fast asleep. She knew he must've been tired; he just came back from a daylong meeting and now he had just done a 3-hour search to find an attacker. And she knew the search would still continue. "Things must be so complicated for you," she thought, looking at his closed eyes. "Did I make them even more complicated for you?"
She must've said the last line out loud, for Oliver said, "No, you didn't Hermione."
Hermione flinched. "Did…did I say that out loud?" she asked.
"Yes…but really silently, don't worry," he assured her. "I can't sleep."
"But your eyes were closed," Hermione said. "You were asleep."
"Only for about 5 minutes; closing your eyes and counting broomsticks supposedly helps you get to sleep, but not me. Sorry about worrying you today, Hermione," he apologized.
"No, it's my fault," she said impenetrability. "I felt you were scared of me so you wanted to hide or something; I was thinking wrong…or was I right?"
Oliver chuckled. "Why on earth would you think that?"
"I'm not sure why," Hermione admitted. "It's just that…I don't want to get hurt again. In the Bahamas a really nice wizard became my boyfriend, but he only wanted me because…because of the way I look. He broke my heart…and I thought that you were going to break mine."
"I know the feeling about the whole 'looks' thing," he told her. "I have all these screaming fans who go absolutely ballistic but all I hear from them is 'He's so gorgeous' and all that. They have no clue what I'm really like. They say they love me but they don't even know me. I know that's not exactly your case, but I know how you feel."
"Thanks," she smiled.
"Oh, and by the way," Oliver spoke up. "Dumbledore said we have to do our duty tomorrow night; just in case you know? I can't believe it's happened twice. I guess since it's been a month we've let our guard down."
"Yeah, I know what you mean," Hermione replied. "You know what's weird though? They give us 31 days to let our guard down and then they attack again. The first attack was at the end of October. Now, the second attack is at the end of November. Maybe the attacker is trying to make a pattern of some sort."
"They aren't very good strategy-thinkers," he laughed. "Anyone could figure out their pattern if they did it monthly."
"Exactly! Don't you think it's a bit odd? Maybe they're trying to trick us into thinking one thing when they're really planning another thing," she explained. Oliver looked completely lost, so she said, "Maybe they want us to think that it's monthly when it's not really that. If they're doing it ever month, then by June, You-Know-Who will have only assembled a team of 8 or 9 students, depending on whether we catch the culprit by then or not. I don't think it's going to be monthly now. I think that was a warning. Maybe now it's going to be weekly…that would make 35 students, give or take a few. Or…perhaps now it's going to be daily…that would be…"
"…A whole lot of students," Oliver finished for her. He gulped and ran his hand through his coarse hair, making it ruffled.
"Exactly," she said, although she didn't have a lot of enthusiasm in her voice when she said it. Instead, she sounded frightened. "Which is why we've got to work fast. Really fast."
***************************************************************
Hey! Here's Chapter 13! I've got it up really fast because I've been working on the computer since 11 am and I've been writing 'til 3 pm. Take some time away for eating sandwiches, ice cream, and having some bathroom breaks, and I've been working for some time. Although I've also been chatting and reading other stories, so whatever. I don't have a lot of people to thank this time, but that's all right. Hope you like this next chapter, and you probably won't see Chapter 14 'til next Tuesday, maybe Thursday since I have quite a bit of homework to do. If I finish it today however, you'll probably be looking at a brand-new chapter either Sunday or Monday. So stay tuned! Here's my thanks:
KAOS – I'm glad you like the chapter…and I think that it's good that you're getting into it like a book – that's exactly what I want!!! :) *Claps to a great reader and reviewer* Bravo, bravo! Encore, encore! *lol* I'm glad that you think my FICS RULE, even though you've only read 1 of them…but that's all right! And please write on your HP fics…even though you only have 1 on your profile right now, okay?
Juvenus – Thanks for the compliments. I'm glad you love this chapter. I especially like the "Ooohh" and the "keep witing"…yes that's what you wrote…"keep witing" but don't worry, I will!!! I'm absolutely amazing? You're lying. But if you're not, then I'm blushing! Thanks!
Recommendations:
Oliver Wood ~ More Than Just Looks – this is my own story, actually. It's about Oliver Wood wanting people to love him for his personality, not his looks. He's being pestered by his too-encouraging mom, his best friend, his dad telling him to quit Quidditch and be a businessman, and his fans, who only love him for his looks. Chapter 1 is posted so far and I hope you like it!
*Hogwarts Weekly* - by ducky-doll! This is a collaboration of works from different ff.net writers, who are all pretending that they go to Hogwarts. I've written one of the pieces in this edition, and there's many other fantastic ones as well! Please read!
"I like you the way you are
When we're drivin' in your car
and you're talking to me one on one but you've become
Somebody else round everyone else
You're watching your back like you can't relax
You're tryin' to be cool you look like a fool to me
Tell me: why you have to go and make things so complicated?
I see the way you're acting like you're somebody else gets me frustrated
Life's like this you And you fall and you crawl and you break and you take what you get and you turn it into honesty and promise me I'm never gonna find you fake it"
-"Complicated" by Avril Lavigne
After Harry and Hermione's discussion, the Gryffindors piled in the beds, hoping to have a peaceful rest. They were resting peacefully for about an hour or so. They were interrupted, however, by a sudden shriek, that echoed throughout the hallways and towers. It was a terrible shriek, not that high- pitch, but a very frightened pitch.
Hermione rose up in her bed and regretfully rubbed her eyes to help them focus. She looked around the rest of the 7th year girls, who were also looking very tired.
Ron suddenly ran into the dormitory, with Pig in his arms, hooting terribly.
"Where's the fire?" Ron yelled, as he woke up the rest of the girls.
"Why is Pig here?" Hermione asked, ignoring Ron's question.
"He flew in the window and began hooting," Ron answered. "I told him to shove off, but he won't listen. Stupid owl."
Pig hooted gratefully, as though Ron had called him something cute and cuddly.
"Get out of here!" Parvati yelled. "Are you perverted or something?"
Ron blushed, but Lavender cried, "It's all right Parvati," and began to motion for Ron to sit down beside her.
Seamus began to walk quickly into the room, looking very tired. "Hermione – we need to instruct the rest of the Gryffindors," he instructed her. "I was…pant…just downstairs and Dumbledore wants to bring everybody into the Great Hall. Something's happened."
The rest of the girls and Ron looked very interested in what he said. Hermione merely nodded and began to follow him.
When she reached the Common Room, everybody was in a panic. They were screaming wildly about, making up rumours that someone had been killed.
Hermione told them to settle down, but instead, they became further panicked. "This is taking us nowhere…and fast!" Seamus groaned.
"Slizena!" Hermione cried, and a few red sparks flew out of her wand. They distracted the younger witches and wizards, and they all looked up to Hermione for instructions. "All right," she began. "Dumbledore has instructed us to go into the Great Hall."
"Is there going to be a meeting?" someone piped up.
"Are we going to have to go home?" someone else wailed.
"I can't really answer your questions," Hermione admitted. "But I'm sure that we're just going to go into the Great Hall to sleep. We'll be protected there. Now, let's line up – two by twos, all right?"
"It's like Moses' Ark," Ron told them, as he squeezed in between Seamus and Hermione. Harry was just coming down the stairs.
"It's NOAH'S Ark, Ron," Hermione corrected him, rolling her eyes. "What took Harry so long?"
"He was writing a letter to Cho – he wanted to finish it off," Ron informed Hermione.
"Ah, I see," Hermione smiled, as she swung open the portrait door. Seamus led the way; Hermione was going to be at the end.
"Sorry I'm late," Harry apologized. "Just sending Hedwig off to do some o- mailing."
Ron looked puzzled (and began to hit Pig when he began to shrill loudly) but Hermione chuckled. "I get it. It's like e-mailing. O-mailing is owl- mailing. Cute," she said. "When and where did you learn about e-mailing?"
"Me and Sirius went to an Internet Café when we were on vacation," Harry told her. "It was pretty fun."
"What in the bloody hell are you talking about?" Ron asked.
"Honestly Ron, you should take Muggle Studies," Hermione tsked as she looked at the rest of the Gryffindors. They were almost all out of the Common Room, marching with worry.
Ron shrugged. "Too late."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione completed the line and followed them down many staircases. The screams still continued, and made Hermione very frightened. "Certainly nothing that bad has happened, right? Surely no one got…killed?" she wondered, as she took Pig from Ron's arms and petting it uneasily.
The halls were stained with darkness, and many of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years began to whimper. Hermione and Seamus did their best to try to comfort them, but even they were slightly scared.
Suddenly, a group of ghosts flew through the wall and stopped the group of Gryffindors. It was Professor Binns, Nearly Headless Nick from Gryffindor, and Grey Lady from Ravenclaw.
"You must be careful," Nearly Headless Nick advised. "Something terrible has happened."
"Most peculiar," Grey Lady added, looking around in fright.
"Maybe it was like what happened in 1786," Professor Binns began. "…The Ghosts of Hiffletown heard startling screams and…"
"Uh…Professor Binns," Hermione interrupted. "I don't mean to be rude but now is not the time to be teaching a History lesson…"
"Ah…yes of course," Professor Binns said. "My sincere apologies. But you must be careful, young ones."
Hermione rolled her eyes but promised the ghosts that they would be careful. They continued through the hallways, around the corners, and down the staircases, getting occasional hoots and shrills from Pig, who didn't seem to realise that this wasn't the moment for noises.
They finally made their way downstairs, but it took quite some time to actually get into the Great Hall, because of all the commotion. Everyone was struggling to get inside. Harry commented by saying, "This is like a stampede!"
They found themselves inside the enormous Great Hall 10 minutes later. Everyone was worried as the screams continued, echoing. Professor McGonagull, Professor Flitwick, and Professor Sprout were all there watching guard. Professor Snape, Dumbledore, Oliver, Professor Musetta, Hagrid, and Professor Trewlaney (as usual) were missing.
Professor McGonagull got rid of the tables and conjured purple, squishy sleeping bags. The sleeping bags reminded Hermione of the time they had to sleep in the Great Hall in her 3rd year, when Sirius Black, the "convicted murderer" was on the loose. "He was innocent all along," Hermione remembered.
"See Harry," Ron began, as he took Pig from Hermione's arms and began striking him, "This is like what you said before. NOW I'm not a happy camper!"
"What are you talking about, Ron?" Hermione asked.
"It's a metaphor I used before," Harry responded, annoyed at Ron's poor knowledge of metaphors.
"Oh, I see," Hermione said. "Ron – stop hitting Pig! He's your pet!"
"Why do you think you call them pets?" Ron asked. "Because you can pet them! How can I pet this over-excited git?" At that moment, Pig began to zoom merrily around. Ron struggled to catch him, but Pig was too high. "See what I mean?"
Someone suddenly tapped Ron on the shoulder. It was Ginny. "Hey guys," she said in a whisper, as the students began to cuddle inside of their sleeping bags. "Do you have any clue what's going on?"
Hermione shook her head, but just then, Dumbledore strolled into the room, looking very old. His wrinkles reflected on his face, making him appear very wise yet very disturbed and angered.
"Students," Dumbledore cleared his throat, and tried to gain the attention of the school. "A terrible ordeal has taken place this night. I'm afraid…that a Prefect has been attacked."
Several people gasped. Hermione covered her mouth in shock. "A P-Prefect?" she managed to say.
"Yes, a Prefect," Dumbledore repeated. "The attacker has retreated without a clue of where he may be…"
Professor McGonagull looked at a loss for words. With a shaky voice she asked, "Is the Prefect all right? And…from which house?"
"The Prefect is going to be all right, except…for a few injuries…one large injury," Dumbledore told her. "The Prefect is from Ravenclaw."
Several groups of Ravenclaw began to sob. Hermione couldn't help but feel sorry for them. The second-year who was attacked earlier also ended up being a Ravenclaw.
"I'm afraid that you will not be able to return to your dormitories tonight," Dumbledore continued. "I've gotten Professor Musetta, Professor Wood, Professor Snape, and Hagrid doing an extensive search. You will all rest here tonight – Head Boy and Girl, and Prefects, I expect you to keep things in order here as well as Professor McGonagull, Professor Flitwick, and Professor Sprout." They all nodded as Dumbledore exited the Great Hall.
The Great Hall began to buzz with excitement, yet with terrified voices. Harry and Ron sat on their sleeping bags as Hermione scolded people for bringing Dungbombs down to the Great Hall. Ron had finally gotten a hold on Pig, who was still very excited. "I'll bring him to the Owlery," Ron decided as he stood up.
"That's not a very wise idea Mr Weasley," Professor McGonagull said. "You shouldn't be going alone. I will escort you."
Ron rolled his eyes but agreed as he left Harry and Hermione alone. "Who do you think could be doing this?" Harry asked.
"I'm not sure," Hermione said. "But whoever is really dislikes the Ravenclaws."
"Maybe they're attacking the Ravenclaws for a reason," Harry guessed, shrugging uneasily.
"What's that reason?"
"Maybe because their smart. Ravenclaws have a tendency to have brilliant minds."
"Do you think the attacker will try to get all of the Ravenclaws?" Hermione asked.
"Probably not. Remember – you told me that Dumbledore said that Voldemort was trying to reassemble a team," Harry said, while making Hermione flinch at the name. "Maybe he's trying to get people from every house – different varieties…or something."
"But why would he want a team of 2nd years and a Prefect from Ravenclaw?" Hermione asked.
"I'm not that sure," Harry admitted. "Do you think the attacker put a Dark Mark on the Prefect as well?"
"Probably," Hermione answered. "But why would he want to? I mean, I know it's the mark of the Dark Lord and all that – but can he make them all die because of it?"
"No," Harry replied. "When I was trapped in 4th year, when I touched the Cup, I saw that when Voldemort touched the Dark Mark all of the Death Eaters were assembled again. It's like whenever Voldemort needed to summon them, he would touch the Dark Mark."
Hermione shivered uneasily. "Will you stop saying the name?" Hermione asked through clenched teeth.
"Sorry," Harry apologized.
"Anyways, why would he want to summon young witches and wizards, who don't have full experience of magic? Who don't know exactly what they're doing?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know," Harry said. "I don't know. Do you think the figure I saw earlier had anything to do with what happened?"
"Maybe," Hermione shrugged. "Probably…actually….yes…It probably had everything to do with it Harry."
"Then it's all my fault that a Prefect got attacked tonight," Harry said despondently.
"What are you talking about? It's not your fault!" Hermione exclaimed, in incredulity of Harry's words. "No one could hunt down and successfully rid of a full grown…whatever it was. That's impossible. And it's not your fault that "it" got away either. You probably couldn't of."
"Oh, thanks for the words of encouragement," Harry said sarcastically.
"Harry, stop being a pessimist," Hermione scolded. "I'm not saying you're a bad wizard, because you're a great wizard Harry…but it'd be kind of hard to rid of something so big and fast, don't you think?" Harry didn't have time to answer, however; Ron had just come back from the Owlery.
"Oy," Ron whispered, as he settled down between Hermione and Harry. "On the way to the Owlery, I caught sight of Professor Musetta and Dumbledore carrying the Prefect."
"And?" Hermione asked, urging him to continue.
"And…" Ron began. "…He looked a terrible sight. His hair was all ruffled – the Cruciatus Curse was performed on him. And on his left arm…was the Dark Mark."
Hermione gasped uncontrollably and peered down at her white hands which were very cold. Harry looked around apprehensively. Ron said, "This is bad. Really, really bad."
"I suggest you three go to bed," Professor McGonagull warned. When Hermione began to protest, Professor McGonagull said, "We have everything under control for now, Head Girl. You may stand down from your position for the time being."
Hermione nodded. "Guess it's good night for now," Hermione said as she piled into her sleeping bag.
"Well, not quite," Ron chuckled. They were awake for a few more hours, and took sight of everything. Hermione was lucky that she had grown adjusted to sleeping on her chest instead of her back; she had a sight of everything that was going on at the entrance of the Great Hall. Professors scrambled back and forth, as well as Filch, Mrs Crookshanks, and Peeves, who was laughing about. The Ghosts made several appearances and talked to Dumbledore about which corridors were empty and which ones looked suspicious. Finally, at 3 in the morning, the Professors, Dumbledore, and Filch all came into the Great Hall to discuss with the rest of the other Professors standing guard.
"Gryffindor Tower is empty," Filch reported.
"Same with Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff," Professor Musetta informed them.
"And the dungeons?" Dumbledore asked.
"All clear," a hidden person said.
Hermione raised her head a little to see who spoke. She twisted her head to the side and nearly flipped over in her sleeping bag. Ron and Harry chuckled, but Hermione threw them a dirty look and they stopped. She stood up a bit more, so that she was almost on her knees (she appeared as though she was doing yoga) and noticed it was Oliver. "Oliver," she whispered.
"What about the grounds?" Dumbledore questioned.
"Nothing…I asked Ronan and Bane and they didn't see anything," Hagrid answered.
"Astronomy Tower?"
"Empty…except for Professor Trewlaney, who already knew that this catastrophe would occur," Professor Snape said infuriatingly.
"Then why didn't she stop it?" Dumbledore smiled.
"Felt she didn't have enough experience," Snape answered.
"She doesn't have enough experience in Astronomy or Wizardry," Professor McGonagull spoke up. "She's a fake."
"I resent that," a misty voice protested. "I may not be…that brilliant in the wizardry field," Professor Trewlaney admitted. "…But in Astronomy…I'm a genius!"
"Words are nothing – you're bluffing," Professor McGonagull countered. "Why don't you prove it?"
"Ladies," Professor Dumbledore disrupted. "There are other matters at hand that should be more of your concern…"
"My sincere apologies, Headmaster," Professor Trewlaney said. "My Inner Eye told me that something bad would happen tonight…an attack…and an argument."
"Why didn't you prevent the argument then?" Professor McGonagull asked. "You're great with your words."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione smirked. "I bet you anything that Professor McGonagull will win this fight," Ron betted.
"Okay, how about your Agrippa card?" Harry tempted.
"What? But I've been waiting too many years to get it!" Ron exclaimed.
"Well, if you're so sure that Professor McGonagull's going to win, then it shouldn't be a worry," Harry grinned.
"All right then," Ron gulped. "What if you lose though?"
"Then you get to keep your Agrippa card," Harry said.
Hermione rolled her eyes and glanced up at the enchanted ceiling as Ron tried to answer. It was a cool and windy night, and she could see the clouds shifting very fast up above. Finally, Ron came up with an answer.
"WAIT! You did this before and I won and I didn't get anything except for something I already had in the first place! That's not fair so the bet's off," Ron decided.
"Fine by me," Harry laughed.
After the conversation between the Professors, they all tried to find vacant sleeping bags, while Hagrid, Dumbledore, and Filch kept watch, just in case. Hermione watched as Oliver glanced around at the sleeping bags, trying to find out which ones were unoccupied. Hermione glanced beside her and found an empty sleeping bag which had contained Seamus before (now he was standing guard with Hagrid and asking questions).
"Oliver," Hermione called (although silently, as to not wake anyone). Oliver jerked his head slightly and looked at Ron. She waved her hand and pointed to the sleeping bag beside her. He got the hint and walked over. Harry looked over at Hermione and smiled as Oliver cuddled inside the sleeping bag.
"Hullo, Hermione," he greeted. "Long time no see."
"Hullo, Oliver," she responded. She felt she wanted to get right down to the point, however, and asked, "Why have you been avoiding me?"
"What?" Oliver asked in disbelief. "I haven't been avoiding you."
"I haven't seen you all day," Hermione countered. "Not at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Have you been cooped up in your office all day?"
"No, no, no, no, no…Hermione," Oliver began. "You've misunderstood. I was at a meeting with the Appleby Arrows…they wanted me to go over the tactics with them. They play their second game tomorrow and the reserve Keeper was having trouble doing one of my moves."
"Oh…sorry," Hermione apologized. "I was jumping to conclusions."
"How could you jump to conclusions?" Ron asked. "I mean conclusions aren't hard, solid, things that you can jump on. You can't jump on words! That's impossible!"
Harry, Hermione, and Oliver began to giggle but were yelled at by Snape and decided to go to bed.
Hermione shifted continuously in her sleeping bag, unable to find a decent position. She turned her head towards Oliver, who was fast asleep. She knew he must've been tired; he just came back from a daylong meeting and now he had just done a 3-hour search to find an attacker. And she knew the search would still continue. "Things must be so complicated for you," she thought, looking at his closed eyes. "Did I make them even more complicated for you?"
She must've said the last line out loud, for Oliver said, "No, you didn't Hermione."
Hermione flinched. "Did…did I say that out loud?" she asked.
"Yes…but really silently, don't worry," he assured her. "I can't sleep."
"But your eyes were closed," Hermione said. "You were asleep."
"Only for about 5 minutes; closing your eyes and counting broomsticks supposedly helps you get to sleep, but not me. Sorry about worrying you today, Hermione," he apologized.
"No, it's my fault," she said impenetrability. "I felt you were scared of me so you wanted to hide or something; I was thinking wrong…or was I right?"
Oliver chuckled. "Why on earth would you think that?"
"I'm not sure why," Hermione admitted. "It's just that…I don't want to get hurt again. In the Bahamas a really nice wizard became my boyfriend, but he only wanted me because…because of the way I look. He broke my heart…and I thought that you were going to break mine."
"I know the feeling about the whole 'looks' thing," he told her. "I have all these screaming fans who go absolutely ballistic but all I hear from them is 'He's so gorgeous' and all that. They have no clue what I'm really like. They say they love me but they don't even know me. I know that's not exactly your case, but I know how you feel."
"Thanks," she smiled.
"Oh, and by the way," Oliver spoke up. "Dumbledore said we have to do our duty tomorrow night; just in case you know? I can't believe it's happened twice. I guess since it's been a month we've let our guard down."
"Yeah, I know what you mean," Hermione replied. "You know what's weird though? They give us 31 days to let our guard down and then they attack again. The first attack was at the end of October. Now, the second attack is at the end of November. Maybe the attacker is trying to make a pattern of some sort."
"They aren't very good strategy-thinkers," he laughed. "Anyone could figure out their pattern if they did it monthly."
"Exactly! Don't you think it's a bit odd? Maybe they're trying to trick us into thinking one thing when they're really planning another thing," she explained. Oliver looked completely lost, so she said, "Maybe they want us to think that it's monthly when it's not really that. If they're doing it ever month, then by June, You-Know-Who will have only assembled a team of 8 or 9 students, depending on whether we catch the culprit by then or not. I don't think it's going to be monthly now. I think that was a warning. Maybe now it's going to be weekly…that would make 35 students, give or take a few. Or…perhaps now it's going to be daily…that would be…"
"…A whole lot of students," Oliver finished for her. He gulped and ran his hand through his coarse hair, making it ruffled.
"Exactly," she said, although she didn't have a lot of enthusiasm in her voice when she said it. Instead, she sounded frightened. "Which is why we've got to work fast. Really fast."
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Hey! Here's Chapter 13! I've got it up really fast because I've been working on the computer since 11 am and I've been writing 'til 3 pm. Take some time away for eating sandwiches, ice cream, and having some bathroom breaks, and I've been working for some time. Although I've also been chatting and reading other stories, so whatever. I don't have a lot of people to thank this time, but that's all right. Hope you like this next chapter, and you probably won't see Chapter 14 'til next Tuesday, maybe Thursday since I have quite a bit of homework to do. If I finish it today however, you'll probably be looking at a brand-new chapter either Sunday or Monday. So stay tuned! Here's my thanks:
KAOS – I'm glad you like the chapter…and I think that it's good that you're getting into it like a book – that's exactly what I want!!! :) *Claps to a great reader and reviewer* Bravo, bravo! Encore, encore! *lol* I'm glad that you think my FICS RULE, even though you've only read 1 of them…but that's all right! And please write on your HP fics…even though you only have 1 on your profile right now, okay?
Juvenus – Thanks for the compliments. I'm glad you love this chapter. I especially like the "Ooohh" and the "keep witing"…yes that's what you wrote…"keep witing" but don't worry, I will!!! I'm absolutely amazing? You're lying. But if you're not, then I'm blushing! Thanks!
Recommendations:
Oliver Wood ~ More Than Just Looks – this is my own story, actually. It's about Oliver Wood wanting people to love him for his personality, not his looks. He's being pestered by his too-encouraging mom, his best friend, his dad telling him to quit Quidditch and be a businessman, and his fans, who only love him for his looks. Chapter 1 is posted so far and I hope you like it!
*Hogwarts Weekly* - by ducky-doll! This is a collaboration of works from different ff.net writers, who are all pretending that they go to Hogwarts. I've written one of the pieces in this edition, and there's many other fantastic ones as well! Please read!