Chapter 16: ~Things that go Boom in the Night~
Chloe watched Hermione's pigtails swing to and fro. As the group walked own the stairs toward the Great Hall. Ron and Hermione chatted softly, with Hermione flicking her hair every once in awhile.
Chloe has spent most of the walk studying their behavior. Ron would make a joke and Hermione would toss her head back to laugh. She'd touch his arm. He'd lean in closer for a response. Chloe completely ignored her escort. Until she glanced over at him and saw he was looking at her.
"Chloe?" Harry whispered.
This is what she had been avoiding 'explanations.' Since the first day she stood in front of the Transfiguration class to when she summoned her father's sword out of the ground, questions from the mouths of her new friends. Then, the explanations building up in her head but, only lies and limited truths would spill from the cracks and spill out her mouth. "Yes?"
"Are you ok?"
"Yes, I am fine."
"I love your costume."
"Thanks."
"No problem!" Harry laughed at how weird Chloe was acting. "Is Snape really you-"
"Yes," Chloe said quickly, "My mother's brother."
"Do you like him?" Chloe shrugged as they entered the Great Hall. The reflection of all the lights on the sparkles hit their eyes and their pupils shrunk. "The fire of a thousand suns," Chloe muttered as they walked in the black and orange decorated hall.
There were costumes of every size, color, and shape. Princesses, Princes, Quidditch players, and so many other wonderful costumes to observe, Luna was wearing a white sweat suit with a patch of yellow on the front. She was also wearing devil horns and holding a pitchfork. When, Ron inquired what it was she rolled her eyes and said, "I'm a deviled egg," she giggled, "You get it?"
Ron looked warily over at Harry and made a quick retreat to sit down next to Hermione. Harry and Chloe sat on the opposite side of them near the end.
The feast hadn't begun because two chairs at the head table were empty. The one in the center, and one off to the right, everyone knew who sat at each. Dumbledore and Snape, two people who barely ever missed meals. Snape usually used it to watch over Chloe and Dumbledore loved to watch the pupils eat, laugh, and be joyful. But, each was empty and McGonagall looked as though she might get up and leave too.
Hermione was the first to notice, "Where's Dumbledore?"
"More importantly where's Snape?" Ron growled, "We won't start eating till they get here." Ron pouted while the others continued to ponder.
"Maybe they're making sure nothing bad will happen tonight." Chloe stared up at the table, "You know, so nothing like what happened a week ago happens."
"I may riot," Ron sulked, "That would be a big problem!"
"Maybe," Harry thought out loud, "Dumbledore just lost track of time! Or very urgent business."
"Yes," Chloe agreed, "important business." She stared around at the crowd. They were starting to notice the absent headmaster and potion teacher. Their heads started bob from side to side whispering about it to their neighbors.
As the noise grew louder in the four tables about the missing people, a door near the front table opened and two people scurried out of it. The first one looked drenched. Soaked with rainwater, the second was dry. But, he looked very pale and worried. They took their seats silently, and then Dumbledore stood up. He raised his glass, and took a swig.
"Life is never fair," Dumbledore hummed, "And some things never happen when they should."
"Here, here," Many of the students and teachers mumbled.
"Let the feast begin!" Dumbledore shouted tossing the rest of his drink down his throat. The shining gold plates, turned dark with the golden gleam of smoked hams, turkeys, and chicken. The bowls were filled to the brim with sugary delights, and the pitchers were filled with the sweetest pumpkin juice ever made.
While the other students loaded their plates with the goodies, and drank heavily, Chloe looked up at the ceiling. "It's raining."
"Yes," Ron mumbled through his full mouth, "So?"
Lightning flashed across the ceiling of the Great Hall, and the candles dimmed for a second. Then, they brightened again. "That was strange." Harry mumbled looking up at the ceiling.
"That's not the only strange thing," Hermione started to go pale, "What happened to the bats?" They all looked up to the ceiling, the usual fake bats were not in their places. They were not flapping happily like usual. They weren't even there.
Ron trying to find logic in the wrong places whispered, "Maybe they threw them out. Mum and Dad said they were older then them."
"Ron, you don't just throw out a gift from Transylvania!" Hermione grasped, "Those were hand crafted, a gift from a Wizarding School there. It's a very small school no more then a hundred students. But, I can not believe they would do that."
"How'd you know that they were a gift from a small Wizarding School in Transylvania?" Harry questioned.
"Hogwarts a History," Hermione hummed happily.
"Of course," Harry and Ron both rolled their eyes.
"It actually has a lot of useful information in it," Hermione went on, "How else would I know that Hogwarts was built on an ancient burial ground for a Cult?"
"Really?" Ron and Harry instantly got back into the conversation.
"No," Hermione smiled, "You would know that if you read the book."
They all went back to eating. Chloe stared up at the ceiling; cautiously she watched a hawk land on a rafter. "Bad Buteo lineatus!" Chloe mumbled to herself as she took a Kinder Egg TM from the basket in front of her.
She gently unwrapped the white and orange foil. To the creamy chocolate that was inside, she broke it in half and started to chomp on it as she opened the orange egg. In the egg was a small sculpture of Éowyn, the strong Shield Maiden of Rohan.
Chloe smiled at the small fighting figure in her palm. Éowyn was always her favorite character in the Lord of the Rings. As she gazed at the young woman, the candles flickered as another bolt of lightning raced across the ceiling. "I need your bravery tonight Éowyn!" Chloe laughed and stuck the small toy into her purse and drank some pumpkin juice.
The candle went low, and five bolts of lightning stung across the sky, fireworks of static electricity. The candles dimmed so Chloe could barely see Hermione, sitting right in front of her. A few panic voices started to arise.
When, the front doors to Great Hall crashed opened as the biggest firework of them all streaked the sky in a great display. Standing in the open doors was a figure, still as the dead. Gasp arose from the brave few in the crowds of cowards who sat in silence. The figure moved forward and the gasps grew quiet. "Boo!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Screamed the hall of young students, the started to panic. The Princesses began to shriek and cry. The Prince yelled and fell into small balls under the tables. While the others, ran around in panic until a loud voice rang over the panic.
"DANA!" Chloe sang over the panic, "Oh my dear, DANA!" Chloe ran to the figure in a giant bear hug. "I can't believe it! You're here, at Hogwarts! In England, you're HERE!"
"Chloe," The figure hissed, "I'm here yes, I am here." She hugged Chloe back.
"Lights," Chloe whispered under her breath and the candles sprang to their brightest. And the awes started as the looked at an Ex-Play Boy Bunny hugging a muddy traveler. "HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!" Chloe started to lead Dana up to the Head Table.
As Dumbledore stood and cleared his throat, "Everybody, we have another transferred student from AMERCIA! Dana Hart and if you think we've been having fun this year. You can just WAIT!"
Dana smiled showing very big canines, "Hello everybody!"
"Hello Dr. Nick! Opps.Dana!" The whole student body yelled.
"Sorry if I scared you," Dana smiled widely as she searched the crowd, "BUTEO LINEATUS! BUTEO!" Dana called and the hawk came swooping down onto her arm. She whispered into his ear and it took again. In a great display of feathers, it went straight for it's target and landed right on Malfoy's shoulder. Sinking his huge talons into his arm. Malfoy shrieked like the princesses and ran to the Hospital Wing. The bird flew off again out a window. "So, is there some sort of sorting?"
The crowd was in awe. Two girls from America were standing right in front of them; both with black hair, one with Red highlights, and the other with navy blue highlights. Dana had a pale face, with a small chin and nose. Her eyes were a deep blue that seemed almost black. As Chloe and Dana stood in front of an almost silent hall, Professor McGonagall ran into the door, Dumbledore and Snape had come out of earlier. While, Filch came up to her and offered to take her coat, but looked scared out of his wits.
"Thank you, Sir." Dana smiled, as it appeared she was in a long black silk dress and a long blue cloak. She also had matching velvet blue gloves that went to her elbow. Dana smile grew dull as she stood there, "Man, you people like sparkles! I swear I need sunglasses! And look at the creative Harry Potter. I mean I am an expert at going as 'Myself.' But, Harry you take it to a new level, I think you killed it. But, maybe it just went to hide somewhere and regain it's strength for next year! And a pumpkin! Oh no wait he's just a fan, or a wannabe pumpkin. I don't know, maybe he couldn't decide! Hey Ron, what are you? A pumpkin or a fan?" Dana laughed as she joked around doing a little stand up.
"Okay," McGonagall yelled as she raced in with the Sorting Hat in her arms, "Dana Hart sit on the stool and I'll just fit this on you." Dana sat down and she put the hat on.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The sorting hat yelled as soon as it touched her head. McGonagall quickly put the hat away and Dana ran to the Gryffindor Table with Chloe.
They ate and laughed together until the Great Hall closed and they went to the Common Room. And as everyone excused him or herself from hearing stories about Chloe and Dana's old school, Dana whispered to Chloe, "So what's fun to do around here?"
***DONE! WOOHOO! Ok.am I getting annoy from writing to you guys after EVERY CHAPTER????? Too Bad! Ok.DANA.you better be HAPPY! I want smiles all around when I see you next! BIG SMILES! Ok..REVIEW! I need input.Ask yourself questions like: Was this my favorite Chapter? Why? What importance does this hold in my life? What am I doing asking myself these questions? Why am I talking to myself? And my favorite; Is this girl CRAZY? ~Alasse Cerebrindal~
Chloe watched Hermione's pigtails swing to and fro. As the group walked own the stairs toward the Great Hall. Ron and Hermione chatted softly, with Hermione flicking her hair every once in awhile.
Chloe has spent most of the walk studying their behavior. Ron would make a joke and Hermione would toss her head back to laugh. She'd touch his arm. He'd lean in closer for a response. Chloe completely ignored her escort. Until she glanced over at him and saw he was looking at her.
"Chloe?" Harry whispered.
This is what she had been avoiding 'explanations.' Since the first day she stood in front of the Transfiguration class to when she summoned her father's sword out of the ground, questions from the mouths of her new friends. Then, the explanations building up in her head but, only lies and limited truths would spill from the cracks and spill out her mouth. "Yes?"
"Are you ok?"
"Yes, I am fine."
"I love your costume."
"Thanks."
"No problem!" Harry laughed at how weird Chloe was acting. "Is Snape really you-"
"Yes," Chloe said quickly, "My mother's brother."
"Do you like him?" Chloe shrugged as they entered the Great Hall. The reflection of all the lights on the sparkles hit their eyes and their pupils shrunk. "The fire of a thousand suns," Chloe muttered as they walked in the black and orange decorated hall.
There were costumes of every size, color, and shape. Princesses, Princes, Quidditch players, and so many other wonderful costumes to observe, Luna was wearing a white sweat suit with a patch of yellow on the front. She was also wearing devil horns and holding a pitchfork. When, Ron inquired what it was she rolled her eyes and said, "I'm a deviled egg," she giggled, "You get it?"
Ron looked warily over at Harry and made a quick retreat to sit down next to Hermione. Harry and Chloe sat on the opposite side of them near the end.
The feast hadn't begun because two chairs at the head table were empty. The one in the center, and one off to the right, everyone knew who sat at each. Dumbledore and Snape, two people who barely ever missed meals. Snape usually used it to watch over Chloe and Dumbledore loved to watch the pupils eat, laugh, and be joyful. But, each was empty and McGonagall looked as though she might get up and leave too.
Hermione was the first to notice, "Where's Dumbledore?"
"More importantly where's Snape?" Ron growled, "We won't start eating till they get here." Ron pouted while the others continued to ponder.
"Maybe they're making sure nothing bad will happen tonight." Chloe stared up at the table, "You know, so nothing like what happened a week ago happens."
"I may riot," Ron sulked, "That would be a big problem!"
"Maybe," Harry thought out loud, "Dumbledore just lost track of time! Or very urgent business."
"Yes," Chloe agreed, "important business." She stared around at the crowd. They were starting to notice the absent headmaster and potion teacher. Their heads started bob from side to side whispering about it to their neighbors.
As the noise grew louder in the four tables about the missing people, a door near the front table opened and two people scurried out of it. The first one looked drenched. Soaked with rainwater, the second was dry. But, he looked very pale and worried. They took their seats silently, and then Dumbledore stood up. He raised his glass, and took a swig.
"Life is never fair," Dumbledore hummed, "And some things never happen when they should."
"Here, here," Many of the students and teachers mumbled.
"Let the feast begin!" Dumbledore shouted tossing the rest of his drink down his throat. The shining gold plates, turned dark with the golden gleam of smoked hams, turkeys, and chicken. The bowls were filled to the brim with sugary delights, and the pitchers were filled with the sweetest pumpkin juice ever made.
While the other students loaded their plates with the goodies, and drank heavily, Chloe looked up at the ceiling. "It's raining."
"Yes," Ron mumbled through his full mouth, "So?"
Lightning flashed across the ceiling of the Great Hall, and the candles dimmed for a second. Then, they brightened again. "That was strange." Harry mumbled looking up at the ceiling.
"That's not the only strange thing," Hermione started to go pale, "What happened to the bats?" They all looked up to the ceiling, the usual fake bats were not in their places. They were not flapping happily like usual. They weren't even there.
Ron trying to find logic in the wrong places whispered, "Maybe they threw them out. Mum and Dad said they were older then them."
"Ron, you don't just throw out a gift from Transylvania!" Hermione grasped, "Those were hand crafted, a gift from a Wizarding School there. It's a very small school no more then a hundred students. But, I can not believe they would do that."
"How'd you know that they were a gift from a small Wizarding School in Transylvania?" Harry questioned.
"Hogwarts a History," Hermione hummed happily.
"Of course," Harry and Ron both rolled their eyes.
"It actually has a lot of useful information in it," Hermione went on, "How else would I know that Hogwarts was built on an ancient burial ground for a Cult?"
"Really?" Ron and Harry instantly got back into the conversation.
"No," Hermione smiled, "You would know that if you read the book."
They all went back to eating. Chloe stared up at the ceiling; cautiously she watched a hawk land on a rafter. "Bad Buteo lineatus!" Chloe mumbled to herself as she took a Kinder Egg TM from the basket in front of her.
She gently unwrapped the white and orange foil. To the creamy chocolate that was inside, she broke it in half and started to chomp on it as she opened the orange egg. In the egg was a small sculpture of Éowyn, the strong Shield Maiden of Rohan.
Chloe smiled at the small fighting figure in her palm. Éowyn was always her favorite character in the Lord of the Rings. As she gazed at the young woman, the candles flickered as another bolt of lightning raced across the ceiling. "I need your bravery tonight Éowyn!" Chloe laughed and stuck the small toy into her purse and drank some pumpkin juice.
The candle went low, and five bolts of lightning stung across the sky, fireworks of static electricity. The candles dimmed so Chloe could barely see Hermione, sitting right in front of her. A few panic voices started to arise.
When, the front doors to Great Hall crashed opened as the biggest firework of them all streaked the sky in a great display. Standing in the open doors was a figure, still as the dead. Gasp arose from the brave few in the crowds of cowards who sat in silence. The figure moved forward and the gasps grew quiet. "Boo!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Screamed the hall of young students, the started to panic. The Princesses began to shriek and cry. The Prince yelled and fell into small balls under the tables. While the others, ran around in panic until a loud voice rang over the panic.
"DANA!" Chloe sang over the panic, "Oh my dear, DANA!" Chloe ran to the figure in a giant bear hug. "I can't believe it! You're here, at Hogwarts! In England, you're HERE!"
"Chloe," The figure hissed, "I'm here yes, I am here." She hugged Chloe back.
"Lights," Chloe whispered under her breath and the candles sprang to their brightest. And the awes started as the looked at an Ex-Play Boy Bunny hugging a muddy traveler. "HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!" Chloe started to lead Dana up to the Head Table.
As Dumbledore stood and cleared his throat, "Everybody, we have another transferred student from AMERCIA! Dana Hart and if you think we've been having fun this year. You can just WAIT!"
Dana smiled showing very big canines, "Hello everybody!"
"Hello Dr. Nick! Opps.Dana!" The whole student body yelled.
"Sorry if I scared you," Dana smiled widely as she searched the crowd, "BUTEO LINEATUS! BUTEO!" Dana called and the hawk came swooping down onto her arm. She whispered into his ear and it took again. In a great display of feathers, it went straight for it's target and landed right on Malfoy's shoulder. Sinking his huge talons into his arm. Malfoy shrieked like the princesses and ran to the Hospital Wing. The bird flew off again out a window. "So, is there some sort of sorting?"
The crowd was in awe. Two girls from America were standing right in front of them; both with black hair, one with Red highlights, and the other with navy blue highlights. Dana had a pale face, with a small chin and nose. Her eyes were a deep blue that seemed almost black. As Chloe and Dana stood in front of an almost silent hall, Professor McGonagall ran into the door, Dumbledore and Snape had come out of earlier. While, Filch came up to her and offered to take her coat, but looked scared out of his wits.
"Thank you, Sir." Dana smiled, as it appeared she was in a long black silk dress and a long blue cloak. She also had matching velvet blue gloves that went to her elbow. Dana smile grew dull as she stood there, "Man, you people like sparkles! I swear I need sunglasses! And look at the creative Harry Potter. I mean I am an expert at going as 'Myself.' But, Harry you take it to a new level, I think you killed it. But, maybe it just went to hide somewhere and regain it's strength for next year! And a pumpkin! Oh no wait he's just a fan, or a wannabe pumpkin. I don't know, maybe he couldn't decide! Hey Ron, what are you? A pumpkin or a fan?" Dana laughed as she joked around doing a little stand up.
"Okay," McGonagall yelled as she raced in with the Sorting Hat in her arms, "Dana Hart sit on the stool and I'll just fit this on you." Dana sat down and she put the hat on.
"GRYFFINDOR!" The sorting hat yelled as soon as it touched her head. McGonagall quickly put the hat away and Dana ran to the Gryffindor Table with Chloe.
They ate and laughed together until the Great Hall closed and they went to the Common Room. And as everyone excused him or herself from hearing stories about Chloe and Dana's old school, Dana whispered to Chloe, "So what's fun to do around here?"
***DONE! WOOHOO! Ok.am I getting annoy from writing to you guys after EVERY CHAPTER????? Too Bad! Ok.DANA.you better be HAPPY! I want smiles all around when I see you next! BIG SMILES! Ok..REVIEW! I need input.Ask yourself questions like: Was this my favorite Chapter? Why? What importance does this hold in my life? What am I doing asking myself these questions? Why am I talking to myself? And my favorite; Is this girl CRAZY? ~Alasse Cerebrindal~